Last year I read through a fairly major biography on the whole band, with sub-sections on each member's history (see KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography), but that was based on a series of band interviews back from the late 70's when they were just starting to peak. I also have read through a detailed history of drummer Peter Criss in Sealed With A Kiss.
So, when Ace's book came out I marked it to read, and thanks to a friend who bought and read it first, then loaned to me, I got the chance.
The book reveals a lot of early behind the scenes things that were previously unknown to the general public. Not just Ace's childhood stuff (I should say Paul Frehley's childhood), but also the very earliest of the formative years of KISS. Some of the stories have been told by others, so some sound familiar, but I found more detail here than I had previously heard. Also, hearing it from someone other than Gene Simmons and the "official" record, gives it a way different twist than expected.
Of course it was all of the history outside of Paul Frehley's stint in KISS that was a real highlight. Seeing his struggle with drugs, alcohol, sobriety, addiction again, car wrecks, jail time, and all of the debauchery his life was filled with was both enlightening as well as hopefully could serve as a warning to others who seek to live the "rock and roll life" (I am just glad my years in music never led me to dabble in any of this stuff).
Rock has lost so many legends of the industry, many from drug and alcohol use. You would think people would have learned a thing or two from it. Paul Frehley is one of the lucky ones - and as of the book's writing, he has been five years sober. Hopefully he can stay that way, and will not end up like so many others.
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