Face the Music: A Life Exposed
Written by Paul Stanley
Narrated by Paul Stanley
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
NEW YORK TIMES and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
In Face the Music, Paul Stanley—the co-founder and famous “Starchild” frontman of KISS—reveals for the first time the incredible highs and equally incredible lows in his life both inside and outside the band. Face the Music is the shocking, funny, smart, inspirational story of one of rock’s most enduring icons and the group he helped create, define, and immortalize.
Stanley mixes compelling personal revelations and gripping, gritty war stories that will surprise even the most steadfast member of the KISS Army. He takes us back to his childhood in the 1950s and ’60s, a traumatic time made more painful thanks to a physical deformity. Born with a condition called microtia, he grew up partially deaf, with only one ear. But this instilled in him an inner drive to succeed in the most unlikely of pursuits: music.
With never-before-seen photos and images throughout, Stanley’s memoir is a fully realized and unflinching portrait of a rock star, a chronicle of the stories behind the famous anthems, the many brawls and betrayals, and all the drama and pyrotechnics on and off the stage. Raw and confessional, Stanley offers candid insights into his personal relationships, and the turbulent dynamics with his bandmates over the past four decades. And no one comes out unscathed—including Stanley himself.
“People say I was brave to write such a revealing book, but I wrote it because I needed to personally reflect on my own life. I know everyone will see themselves somewhere in this book, and where my story might take them is why I’m sharing it.” —Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley is the frontman and rhythm guitarist for KISS, which he cofounded in New York City in 1973. He is the designer of numerous KISS album covers, costumes, and concert stages, in addition to writing many of KISS's most successful songs. With sales of more than one hundred million records worldwide, KISS sits atop the list of American bands, with the most gold-certified albums earned in history. Along with his bandmates, Stanley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. A painter, with art sales reaching two million dollars; a solo musician; a musical stage performer; founding partner in Rock & Brews restaurants; and co-owner of the Arena Football League's L.A. KISS, Stanley is a committed and active supporter of various Wounded Warrior Project organizations. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Erin, and four children.
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Reviews for Face the Music
111 ratings13 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very informative and brutally honest. Every “old” Kiss fan should read.
I chose the audio book as I thought it better to have it read out by Paul himself.
I’ve been a fan since 1979! I’ve been to every tour in the UK since then and got my tickets to the tour next year. Can’t wait! Hottest band in the world! X1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a great insight and intimate look at Paul Stanley beyond Kiss. I highly recommend this!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is such an interesting read! I recently saw a podcast interview with Paul Stanley where he mentioned this book. Immediately came to find it! He reads this story which makes it more intimate. A rich story of his personal struggle and the struggles of the band. I love a good biography! You don’t have to be a KISS fan to enjoy the story of his life. Great read, truly!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I grew up a lukewarm Kiss fan. Gene Simmons was the only name I recognized. I enjoy learning about bands and actors and people in the spotlight from their own perspective. After all, what the general media feeds us is just bits and pieces of any total person. I love this book. Paul Stanley is a warm, caring, insightful and most importantly, an honest human being. His story is uplifting and real. He seems totally at peace and grateful for the life God has given him. That is certainly something to aspire to. Thank you for showing me that it is possible
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awesome just awesome it’s a must have book I loved it
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing story by one of the greats!!! Highly recommended for any rock fan
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Passionate & insightful. I loved that Paul narrated his own story. He should do more narrations. Good voice. (Kiss army member since 1983)
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finished on Jul 20, 2014 I'm not drawn to hard rock or heavy metal but I do enjoy an interesting rock and roll tale, especially one in which the volume closes with happiness and hope. "Face the Music: A Life Exposed'' is the autobiography of the frontman, rhythm guitarist, co-founder of KISS. Paul Stanley says "Each of us wears something that reflects who we are. I always loved stars and always identified with them – so, when it came time to put something on my face, I knew it would be a star."...hence, the onstage "Starchild" persona. Once I saw the cover of "Face The Music..A Life Exposed", I knew I had to read his story and would continually pause and look again at the cover. A few phrases I thought expressive of this autobi would be " incredible highs and equally incredible lows"...candid..raw and confessional...gritty...brave. It's not my band or music but the book is clear and well written and the band has a definite place in rock and roll history. Definitely, the book satisfied my curiosity. 4 ★
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great all round! Would recommend to anyone, fans of Kiss or not!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am a mental health therapist. I have now use this book a few times with the right person to discuss truth over defense mechanisms, vulnerability, over fear -it’s an incredible book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very inspirational - and makes me think. There are a lot of things in his life I can relate to. His marriage to Pam, a woman who was emotionally unavailable, was eye opening.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hands down the best music memoir I've ever read. I couldn't put it down; I read this massive tome in one day. I'm a pretty recent Kiss convert, after seeing them in Indianapolis on their fortieth anniversary tour, I knew I was in love. I had grown up hearing the songs, saw Detroit Rock City, Role Models, etc. But nothing prepared me for seeing them live. They were amazing! So being the librarian that I am, I decided to read more about them. I recalled that Paul Stanley had recently written a memoir so I decided to start there. I am soo glad I did. It was the perfect introduction to the world of Kiss. Paul writes about his humble beginnings, his insecurity, the gradual rise to fame, and the internal conflicts. The memoir is peppered with great photographs that help visualize the story. Insanely great. I went from knowing virtually nothing about Kiss to getting a great overview on the history of the band. It also sets the story straight about Peter and Ace, even Gene to an extant. At parts he sounded a little whiney and bitchy about his fellow band members, but it was probably well deserved. A must read for anyone in the Kiss Army.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's hard to believe that a guy who pushed everyone away because he was so self conscious about the fact that he had no right ear, would become the (and I do mean THE) greatest front man in rock and roll. While a majority of the book revolves around KISS, you'll get to see more about Paul Stanley than ever before, even if you're a huge fan of the band. Of the four autobiographies that the founding members have released, I feel like this one is the closest to the truth. Paul doesn't hold back on his thoughts about everyone, including himself. I can't imagine many KISS fans not wanting to read "Face the Muisc." But if you're a fan of autobiographies, and especially those that focus on people who overcome pretty amazing odds to get where they are, this book is for you.