Take It Off - by Greg Prato (Paperback)

About the Book

Take It Off is a thorough analysis of KISS during the period 1983-1996, which saw the group ditch the makeup and successfully reestablish themselves onstage and on the charts, and reach a whole new audience via MTV.

Book Synopsis

There is a common misconception about KISS, one of the greatest hard-rock/heavy metal-bands of all-time: that their 'non-makeup' era of 1983-1996 is not as enduring as the period when they stalked stages as the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman, and the Cat.

This is untrue. In fact, this period helped resuscitate KISS's career, as they reestablished themselves in arenas, on the charts, and via MTV, and yielded some of their most popular songs - including Lick It Up, Heaven's On Fire, Tears Are Falling, Crazy Crazy Nights, Hide Your Heart, Forever, Unholy, and more - many of which consistently found their way into the band's set lists.

While the majority of KISS books are focused on the glitz and glamour of the iconic makeup era, the non-makeup years are ripe to be explored in book form, and Take It Off does just that, zeroing in on the eleven albums KISS issued during this period - including such gold- and platinum-certified hits as Lick It Up, Animalize, Revenge, and Alive III - as well the resulting tours, videos, and other escapades.

Take It Off draws on all-new interviews with KISS experts and associates, including the band's lead guitarist throughout most of this period, Bruce Kulick, plus Crazy Nights producer Ron Nevison and video director Paul Rachman (Unholy/I Just Wanna/Domino). Among the other contributors are Charlie Benante (Anthrax), K.K. Downing (ex-Judas Priest), Derek Sherinan (ex-Dream Theater), and rock music experts Eddie Trunk, Katherine Turman, and Lonn Friend. The book also includes a foreword by Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho and an afterword by acclaimed producer Andreas Carlsson, as well as rare photographs and memorabilia from the period.

With KISS currently in the midst of their last ever tour, now is the time to get Truly Unmasked.

Review Quotes

"...highly recommended book here, Prato delivering one that any diehard KISS fans should enjoy."--Brave Words

"Bursting with rapid-fire minutiae, fueled by fascinating insights and brimming with unique conversation, it's a "must" for those of us who just can't get enough of "The Hottest Band in the Land.""--Pure Grain Audio

About the Author

Greg Prato is a writer and journalist from Long Island, New York, whose writing has appeared in such renowned publications as Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, and Vintage Guitar. He is also the author of several popular books, including Shredders! The Oral History Of Speed Guitar (And More), Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History Of Seattle Rock Music, and The Eric Carr Story. And you may even have heard him on one of his many radio or TV appearances, which include interviews on The Howard Stern Wrap-Up Show, Eddie Trunk Live, and The Ron & Fez Show.