KISS Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography

I've read this book so many times I almost have it memorized. KISS Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography by David Leaf and Ken Sharp is really two books in one, both collected together in to create the ultimate KISS book for KISS fans. The first third of the book (the biography part) was written by David Leaf in 1979, at a time when the original members of the band were still together and the tides of the KISS waves had yet to turn. The narrative takes a pull-no-punches approach and is not just some glossed-over glamorous take on who KISS is. There's a lot to be discovered here, even by the most die-hard KISS fan, and some of it is quite surprising.

The last part of the book (maybe my favorite part) is an album by album, song by song breakdown added by Ken Sharp and augmented with comments from the guys in the band and others involved with KISS at the time of each of the albums. The book covers every record beginning with the Wicked Lester album and going all the way up to Carnival of Souls: the Final Sessions. This part of the book is essential reading not only for KISS fans, but for songwriters in general. The insight into how every song was written, how the albums were made, and what everybody involved thought at the time is just incredible.

For instance, the guys in KISS rate all of the albums on a scale of one to five. It's interesting to read what they think of each album and what they rate them, particularly when they rate each others' solo albums.

I can't stress this enough, if you are a musician or songwriter (and any sort of KISS fan), reading Ken Sharp's portion of this book is essential and you'll find it enjoyable.

There are two covers for this book. The first is the print version. The second is the e-book version. I have a copy of the book in both editions. If you are a KISS fan or a musician/songwriter that likes a real behind-the-scenes look at the process of a band as big as KISS, you have to grab a copy of KISS Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography. You'll read it more than once.