From Makeup to Breakup By Peter Criss with Larry “Ratso” Sloman

By Paul Barrel
February 23, 2013 – 6:43 pmNo Comment | 170 views

From Makeup to Breakup
By Peter Criss with Larry “Ratso” Sloman
[Scribner]

Historically, Peter Criss has been painted as the “complainer” in the original KISS line-up. Fans have heard it from all within the group that have written “tell alls,” including, now, Criss himself.

Actually, this is the book I wished Ace would have written. He played it safe. Not so with Peter. He gives KISS fans the full picture of what it was like to be in the band from the very start and how they became super heroes. It’s all here, warts and all … and it is delicious, at least the first 85% of it.

I give Pete credit, to a degree. He owns every one of his demons and comes clean on his past transgressions, and you get the impression that he’s worked diligently to better himself through the years. Yet, he doesn’t take any of the blame for any of the actions which ultimately turned sour on him: failure of his first and second marriages; getting booted from KISS; lackluster solo career; etc.

He was always my least favorite member of the original line-up. But, I now see him in a different light. And who knew that he was childhood pals with Jerry Nolan (drummer, New York Dolls)? He’s lived an amazing life, one after another after another.

But, in writing this book, I fear Peter Criss may have used up his remaining KISS lives. The Catman pulls no punches going after his old band mates, drinking/drugging buddy Ace Frehley included. So much so that the content of his autobiography makes it doubtful that he’ll ever play with the band again. But, Jagger forgave Richards and they’re playing again. So, you never know.