KISS Destroyer: The Definitive Visual History

Name: KISS Destroyer: The Definitive Visual History
Author: https://www.simonandschuster.biz/authors/Ken-Sharp/265627199
ISBN: 9798337402789

Making and Touring the Legendary Album, Official and Authorized

By Ken Sharp, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons

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About The Book

Have a “Rock and Roll Party” with this incredible chronicle of KISS’s first platinum studio album and one of the greatest rock records in history.

In 1976, Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter stomped their platform heels into the mainstream with Destroyer, which catapulted them to superstardom. This official, authorized retrospective takes you behind the scenes at the recording sessions and backstage at the mind-blowing tour that followed, offering eye-opening insights into

• Marlon Brando’s significance on the direction of the album

• tensions in the sound studio

• the destruction of Paul Stanley’s favorite guitar

• creating the costumes and the cover artwork

• the photo shoots to promote the record

• a dare that led to the birth of the KISS Army

• David Bowie’s influence on the stage design

• the band’s hijinks on tour

• their encounters with Karen Carpenter, Margaret Hamilton, Paul Lynde, other stars of the day . . . and more!

The book features interviews with more than 50 people, including exclusive new interviews with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and producer Bob Ezrin, who reveal all the sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll that went into making the record. It comes jam-packed with deep dives on all the songs—including demos that didn’t make the final cut and who titled “Beth”—and contains hundreds of photos, some never before published. Comprehensive tour information covers dates, venues, and key performances, and a complete timeline of recording and promoting the seminal album features world affairs and other cultural events, putting the band’s milestones in meaningful context. So paint your face, stick out your tongue, and “Shout It Out Loud” with this must-have showcase of one of the most influential rock records of all time!

About The Authors

Ken Sharp

Ken Sharp is the author of the New York Times bestseller Nothin’ to Lose: The Making of KISS. He writes for various national music magazines, works on music documentaries, and has written liner notes for releases from Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Santana, and others. He lives in Los Angeles.

Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley is the cofounder, rhythm guitarist, and vocalist for KISS, who, in the 1970s, shattered box-office records set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, earning the most gold records in American music history, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted them in 2014. A designer, musical theater actor, painter, producer, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, Stanley received accolades for playing the title role of The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and returned to close the show’s ten-year run. He authored two New York Times best-selling books, Face the Music and Backstage Pass, and is the author or coauthor of other best-selling books, including KISS Kompendium, KISS: The Early Years, and Nothin’ to Lose. He actively supports AboutFace and various Wounded Warrior Project organizations.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is the cofounder, bass guitarist, and vocalist for KISS, who, in the 1970s, shattered box-office records set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, earning the most gold records in American music history, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted them in 2014. An actor, manager, producer, publisher, record label founder, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, Simmons is the author or coauthor of multiple best-selling books, including KISS and Make-Up; KISS Kompendium; KISS: The Early Years; Me, Inc.; Nothin’ to Lose; On Power, and Sex Money KISS.

Product Details

Publisher: Insight Editions (October 27, 2026)
Length: 272 pages
ISBN13: 9798337402789

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Raves and Reviews

Critical Acclaim for Nothin' to Lose

"Entertaining. . . Revelations about New York's pre-punk glam scene and the 1970s hard-rock touring circuit alternate with heartwarming small-town tales.” — ROLLING STONE

– Rolling Stone

“A richly detailed day-to-day accounting of all the myths in their legend. . . . You are right there, center section, front row, through every twist and turn.” —HUFFINGTON POST

– Huffington Post

“What makes this one so special is the tremendous amount of detail to be found in the more than 200 interviews. . . . Full of extraordinary primary-source material that will keep KISS fans up at night . . . excellent work.” —LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review

– Library Journal

“A fascinating chronicle.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

– Publishers Weekly

“A rollicking oral history.” — KIRKUS REVIEWS

– Kirkus Reviews

“If you thought you knew everything there was to know about KISS . . . you’d be wrong. . . . This is the book that’ll tell you. Buy this book or just KISS off!” —ALICE COOPER

– Alice Cooper

“An electrifying look at a band that changed the course of rock ’n’ roll history by sticking to their guns and blazing their own trail of heavy metal thunder. I couldn’t put it down. Two thumbs up!” — JOE PERRY, Aerosmith

– Joe Perry

“This book is the real story of the American rock ’n’ roll dream.” —TED NUGENT

– Ted Nugent

“Quintessential . . . The KISS story is told with complete accuracy and attention to detail by Ken Sharp with help from Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Mandatory reading for every new artist. This is a masterpiece!” — KENNY KERNER, coproducer of KISS and HOTTER THAN HELL

– Kenny Kerner

“A gripping look at the underbelly of rock ’n’ roll . . . I should know, I was there.” —PETER “MOOSE” ORECKINTO, KISS roadie, 1973–1976

– Peter "Moose" Oreckinto

“Nothin’ to Lose brought back great memories of our days touring with KISS in the ’70s. The book is an incredible ride through KISS’s early days and a must-read for any KISS fan!” —DON POWELL, Slade

– Don Powell