Recently I got the opportunity to read the brand new autobiography of KISS front man Paul Stanley, entitled Face The Music: A Life Exposed. Here is my opinion of the book and what I think you will find within the pages.

Paul Stanley: On The Stigma Of Bullying

Up until recently, we knew very little about the private life of Kiss front man, rhythm guitarist and co-founder Paul Stanley. He keeps his private life, well, private. As a matter of fact, until about five years ago, it was not made public that Paul was born with a deformity of his right ear that left him totally deaf on his right side. It’s called microtia, which is a deformity in which the cartilage of the ear does not form correctly. Thus, Paul Stanley was born with just a stump for his right ear. However, even if you grew up a die hard KISS fan, as I did, then you would not have known that Paul Stanley had this deformity, because he always wore his hair long enough to cover his ears.

This is just an example of the things that we learn about our favorite front man in his new autobiography, “Face The Music: A Life Exposed.” In this book, Paul Stanley finally opens up about his life and the personal demons that haunted him, until he found a way to conquer them. He then goes on to tell us what helped him conquer his problems and his own personal ideas for what he thinks may help us all to lead happier lives. The end of the book reads more like a self-help book than anything.

Paul Stanley: On KISS

Before that, however, we are told stories of Paul’s life, both inside and outside of KISS, that we have never heard before. Stories such as that of the young boy who referred to him as “Stan the one-eared monster” when he was growing up are featured in Face The Music: A Life Exposed. And how, despite the fact that he found Gene Simmons to be odd and very self-serving, he realized that Gene was serious about making it big in the music industry – as serious as Paul was – therefore he decided to work with Gene.

Face The Music: A Life Exposed takes a real in-depth approach to the inner workings of Kiss and of the problems that lead to the eventual departures of both Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. He talks about the insecurities of Peter’s replacement, Eric Carr, and of the cockiness of Ace’s replacement, Vinnie Vincent. The book takes us right through the 1980s and early 90s, where Paul pulls no punches, stating that he alone was the driving force behind the band during this time because Gene was too busy making movies, Eric was too insecure and, later on, too ill, and there was a revolving door of lead guitarists.

Face The Music: What Did I Think?

I found Face The Music: A Life Exposed extremely entertaining and at times I could not put it down. I have read several rock star autobiographies, but by far this one moved at the best pace of any of them, and it was brutally honest. It was finally wonderful to hear the story of the most private member of my favorite band in his own words. You will enjoy this book, not only as a Kiss fan, but as a fan of life in general. There’s lots of information on how to make yourself a better person and to enjoy life to its fullest, no matter what your difficulties. I recommend this book highly to anyone, not just rock music fans or Kiss fans. I think you will find it a wonderful read.

Have You Read Face The Music: A Life Exposed? If Not, Do You Plan To?

*Eat Play Rock received a copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% our own.