First published 2019
Most people think KISS only mattered when they wore makeup and face paint. Chris Jericho's deep dive into the band's 1983-1996 period proves them wrong. During these thirteen years, KISS shed their iconic personas and rebuilt their career from scratch. The band returned to arenas, climbed the charts again, and dominated MTV without relying on their Starchild, Demon, Spaceman, and Cat characters. Jericho examines twelve albums from this era, including platinum sellers like Lick It Up, Animalize, Crazy Nights, and Revenge. He draws on fresh interviews with key players, especially Bruce Kulick, who served as lead guitarist through most of these years. Producer Ron Nevison and video director Paul Rachman share behind-the-scenes stories, while metal legends like Charlie Benante and K.K. Downing provide context. The book reveals how songs like "Heaven's On Fire," "Tears Are Falling," and "Crazy Crazy Nights" became concert staples that outlasted many makeup-era tracks.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, music
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, music-industry
Period: 1983-1996
304 pages · Paperback · Jawbone Press