Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975
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Straight up, Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 is aimed squarely at die-hard KISS fans that want to get even more inside information that has never been readily available till now. When I first heard about this book coming out, I figured at best I would get a few stories that were new. So imagine my shock after reading the book that about 95% of everything in this 550 page book is stuff that I had never heard about and that goes for the pictures that are scattered through the book.
I consider myself to be a true die-hard fan of KISS as I have followed them from the mid 70's onward and have never stopped being a fan, even during the lean years that saw them lose popularity with the masses. I thought I had seen and heard it all. With Ken Sharp's new book I realize that there was so much more to the story. Along with Ken, we get insight from Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley who helped write the book. Not surprising though is how very little input we get from Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Yes, they contribute some stuff, but it's clear that a lot was cut out for whatever reason. It took all of 15 pages before Gene and Paul rip into Peter and Ace....again. The attacks are the one negatives in the book. We all know the story as Gene and Paul have beaten this dead horse into glue. It's time to just let it go and move on guys!
As for the books construction, I love it. It follows in the same manner as Ken's other book KISS: Behind the Mask (http://pennycan.createaforum.com/books/kiss-behind-the-mask-david-leaf-ken-sharp/msg7123/#msg7123), written with a series of anecdotes, allowing everyone in and around KISS, including fans, to have their own voice heard within the pages. The way the book is put together and how the stories are told actually do a much better job of painting a picture then if it were told from the perspective of Ken. Reading the book really does put you in their shoes and transport you back to the mid 70's.
There are so many stories from those that worked closely with the band, including Bill Aucoin to Sean Delaney to Neil Bogart to bands and singers that influenced them to fans that were there from the get go, it will enthrall you hearing what they have to say. There are a lot of great stories to be read, which had me reading at a feverish pace. I was actually trying to force myself to not read so fast as I wanted to savor it all. I think any KISS fan will get a kick out of the pie fight with Rush and Geddy Lee on stage at the final show of their tour in San Diego. It's also fun to see pictures of said pie fight, which is something I have never seen before. Any fan that has ever worshiped KISS Alive! and stared at the cover (front and back) will totally dig hearing about he two kids and their sign, not to mention Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) story of being there when they took that infamous photo. There's more to his story as well, but you're just gonna have to read the book to find out. I'm not gonna spoil it here. It's worth the price of the book.
I haven't look into or done any research on Ken Sharp, but I strongly believe that Nothing To Lose is the first of many Volumes coming our way with each new Volume covering a specific era in KISSTORY. With this book only covering everything from Wicked Lester all the way to KISS Alive!, the band is primed to dish out more stuff and have 40 years worth of material to make it a reality. My speculation has Volume II covering Destroyer (1976) to Unmasked(1980), Volume III covering Music from "The Elder" (1981) to Carnival of Souls (1996), Volume IV covering Kiss Unplugged (1996) to Monster (2013). Like I said, a lot of information is out there that the KISS Army would be willing to shell out hard earned cash for, myself included.
Nothing to Lose is worth every penny and KISS fans will enjoy the book. Definitely a Buy. For causal fans, it's still worth it to check out from your Library, but may not care much for the pages that are devoted to Casablanca Records. This book gets the rare 10 Stars out of 10.
Kiss 'Nothin' To Lose' Book Signing (Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley) B&N @ The Grove, Los Angeles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79GInPESgwM
Something to whet your appetite before you go to Paul's book signing. Sign my Cort Axe Bass, motherf*cker! ;D