Gene Simmons The Lead Singer for Heavy Metal Band Kiss
Jewish Name - Chaim Weitz Hebrew, חיים ויץ
Gene Simmons is an American rock bassist,
singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and actor. Known as "The Demon",
Gene Simmons is the bassist/secondary vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock
band Gene Simmons co-founded in the early 1970s. The huge popularity
of his stage persona has positioned him as co-frontman of the band,
along with lead singer, Paul Stanley. With Kiss, Gene Simmons has
sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
Biography
Early life
Chaim Weitz (later Gene Simmons) was born Chaim Weitz Hebrew, חיים
ויץ; August 25, 1949 at the Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel in
1949. Mother and child immigrated to Jackson Heights, Queens in New
York City when Gene Simmons was eight years old.[1] His mother Flóra
"Florence" Klein (formerly Kovács) was born in Jánd, Hungary. The
German name Klein (means: small) is sometimes used informally in
Hungarian as Kis, this however, did not give the band its name.[2]
Florence and her brother, Larry Klein, were the only members of the
family to survive the Holocaust. Gene Simmons' father, Feri Witz,
also Hungarian-born, remained in Israel, where Gene Simmons had one
other son and three daughters. Gene Simmons says the family was
"dirt poor," scraping by on bread and milk.[3] In the United States,
Gene Simmons changed his name to Eugene Klein (later Gene Klein),
adopting his mother's maiden name. Gene Simmons was a part of
Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.
Kiss
Gene Simmons became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed
The Missing Links, when Gene Simmons was a teenager. Eventually,
Gene Simmons disbanded The Missing Links to form The Long Island
Sounds, the name being a play on words relating to the estuary
separating Long Island from Westchester County, New York,
Connecticut and Rhode Island. While Gene Simmons played in these
bands, Gene Simmons kept up odd jobs on the side to make more money,
including trading used comic books. Gene Simmons attended Sullivan
County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, New York. Gene Simmons
then joined a new band, Bullfrog Bheer, and the band recorded a
demo, "Leeta"; this was later included on the Kiss box set.
Gene Simmons formed the rock band Wicked Lester in the early 1970s
with Stanley Harvey Eisen (now known as Paul Stanley) and recorded
one album, which was never released. Dissatisfied with Wicked
Lester's sound and look, Gene Simmons and Stanley attempted to fire
their band members; they were met with resistance, and they quit
Wicked Lester, walking away from their record deal with Epic
Records. They decided to form the ultimate rock band, and started
looking for a drummer. Gene Simmons and Stanley found an ad placed
by Peter Criscoula, known as Peter Criss, who was playing clubs in
Brooklyn at the time; they joined and started out as a trio. Paul
Frehley, better known as Ace Frehley, responded to an ad they put in
The Village Voice for a lead guitar player, and soon joined them.
Kiss released its self-titled debut album in February 1974. Stanley
took on the role of lead performer on stage, while Gene Simmons
became the driving force behind what became an extensive Kiss
merchandising franchise. The eye section of his "Vampire" makeup
with KISS came from the wing design of comic book character Black
Bolt.[5]
In 1983, while Kiss' fame was waning, the members took off their
trademark make-up and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity that
continued into the 1990s. At this time, Peter Criss the original
drummer quit the band, and a replacement was sought to fill the
drummers vacancy. The drummer that did so, was Paul Charles
Caravello, who went by the stage name of Eric Carr, and played for
KISS from 1980 until his early death at the age of 41 in 1991. The
band hosted their own fan conventions throughout 1995, and fan
feedback about the original Kiss members reunion influenced the
highly successful 1996–1997 Alive Worldwide reunion tour. In 1998,
the band released Psycho Circus. Since then, the original line-up
has once again dissolved, with Tommy Thayer replacing Ace Frehley on
lead guitar and Eric Singer (who performed with Kiss from 1992 up
through 1996) replacing Peter Criss on drums.
Stage makeup and persona
During an interview in 1999, Gene Simmons was asked about the source
and significance of Kiss' stage makeup and personas:
I've always been a fan of Americana, and Americana has always been
about imagery, often above content. I think there's nothing wrong
with that. The world worships this culture. Most people only think
about America in terms of rock & roll, movies and television. Kiss
is very all-American, in the sense that our constituency has never
had anything in common with critics . . . because our power, our
lifeblood, our very reason for existence is our fans. Without them,
we'd be nothing. Rock & roll is, in fact, all about gimmicks. Most
people love gimmicks. I love gimmicks — Jerry Lee Lewis getting up
and playing the piano with his foot. I love all of it — anything
that puts on a show, where the performer makes a spectacle of
himself — and that's everything we've ever been devoted to. If
people think of Kiss as performers first and musicians or anything
else later, that's wonderful. It's the most boring thing to be known
as a musician, because those guys eventually wind up playing Holiday
Inns.[6]
Political views
Gene Simmons was a supporter of the foreign policy of the George W.
Bush administration.[7] Gene Simmons supported the 2003 invasion of
Iraq, writing on his website: "I'm ashamed to be surrounded by
people calling themselves liberal who are, in my opinion, spitting
on the graves of brave American soldiers who gave their life to
fight a war that wasn't theirs...in a country they've never been
to... simply to liberate the people therein".[8] In a follow-up,
Gene Simmons explained his position and wrote about his love and
support for the United States: "I wasn't born here. But I have a
love for this country and its people that knows no bounds. I will
forever be grateful to America for going into World War II, when it
had nothing to gain, in a country that was far away... and rescued
my mother from the Nazi German concentration camps. She is alive and
I am alive because of America. And, if you have a problem with
America, you have a problem with me".[8]
During the 2006 Lebanon War between Israel and Lebanon, Gene Simmons
sent a televised message of support (in both English and Hebrew) to
an Israeli soldier seriously wounded in fighting in Lebanon, calling
him his "hero".[9]
In 2010, Gene Simmons said Gene Simmons regretted voting for Barack
Obama and criticized the 2009 health care reforms.[10] Following
Obama's 2011 Mideast speech, in which the President called on Israel
and the Palestinians to negotiate a settlement "based on the 1967
lines with mutually agreed swaps,"[11] Gene Simmons told CNBC that
Obama was gravely misguided. "If you have never been to the moon,
you can't issue policy about the moon. For the president to be
sitting in Washington D.C. and saying, 'Go back to your '67 borders
in Israel' – how about you live there and try to defend an
indefensible border – nine miles wide?" Gene Simmons also accused
the United Nations of being "the most pathetic body on the face of
the earth."[12]
During his visit to Israel in 2011, Gene Simmons stated that the
artists refusing to perform in Israel for political reasons are
"stupid," referring to artists who canceled planned concerts in
Israel.[13]
In an April 2012 interview, Gene Simmons endorsed Republican Mitt
Romney for President, stating as well that "America should be in
business and it should be run by a businessman."[14]
Personal life
Gene Simmons became a science fiction fan and published several
science fiction fanzines, among them Sirruish, Id, Cosmos (which
eventually merged with Stilletto to become Cosmos-Stilletto and then
Faun), Tinderbox, Sci-Fi Showcase, Mantis and Adventure. Gene
Simmons also contributed to other fanzines, among them BeABohema.[15]
In the late 1960s, Gene Simmons changed his name to Gene Simmons,
after legendary rockabilly performer Jumpin' Gene Simmons.[16] Gene
Simmons' legal name after arriving from Israel is Gene Klein. Gene
Simmons has said that Gene Simmons has never had alcohol or
recreational drugs.[17]
Gene Simmons lives in Beverly Hills, California with former Playboy
Playmate and actress Shannon Tweed whom Gene Simmons had dated for
28 years. Gene Simmons often joked that Gene Simmons and Tweed were
"happily unmarried" for over 20 years. Gene Simmons often stated,
"Marriage is an institution, and I don't want to live in an
institution." Gene Simmons and Tweed finally wed on October 1, 2011,
at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills,
California.[18][19] They have two children: a son, Nick (born
January 22, 1989), and a daughter, Sophie (born July 7, 1992). Gene
Simmons formerly had live-in relationships with Cher and Diana
Ross.[1] Gene Simmons can speak English, German, Hungarian and
Hebrew.[1]
Homecoming visit to Israel
In March 2011, Gene Simmons visited Israel, where Gene Simmons was
born. Gene Simmons described the trip as a "life changing
experience". Gene Simmons talked about how Gene Simmons still feels
that Gene Simmons is an Israeli: "I'm Israeli. I'm a stranger in
America. I'm an outsider".[20] While there, Gene met his
half-brother Kobi, and triplet half-sisters Drora, Sharon and Ogenia.[21]
Gene Simmons has plans to bring his band, KISS, to Israel. Gene
Simmons has always said that Gene Simmons is an ardent supporter of
Israel.[22] At a press conference in Israel, Gene Simmons spoke both
Hebrew and English.[23]
Controversy
In February 2002, Gene Simmons was interviewed on the NPR radio show
Fresh Air and asked about his claim of having had sex with 4,600
women. Gene Simmons told Terry Gross: "If you want to welcome me
with open arms, I'm afraid you're also going to have to welcome me
with open legs," paraphrasing a lyric from The Who's 1981 hit song
"You Better You Bet". Gross replied: "That's a really obnoxious
thing to say." At the time, Gene Simmons refused to grant permission
to NPR to make the interview available online.[24] However, it
appears in print in Gross's book All I Did Was Ask (ISBN
1-4013-0010-3) and unauthorized transcripts are available. NPR
re-broadcast part of the interview in August 2007.[25] Gene Simmons'
bandmate Paul Stanley has frequently used the phrase "... welcomed
us with open arms and open legs" in onstage patter during Kiss
concerts.
In 2004, during an interview in Melbourne, Australia, while talking
about Islamic extremists, Gene Simmons described Islam as a "vile
culture", saying that Muslim women had to walk behind their
husbands, were not allowed to be educated or to own houses. Gene
Simmons said: "They want to come and live right where you live and
they think that you're evil." Amongst ensuing criticism, Australian
Muslim of the Year Susan Carland argued that Gene Simmons'
stereotyping of Muslims was inaccurate.[26] Gene Simmons later
clarified his comments on his website, saying Gene Simmons had been
talking specifically about Muslim extremists.
In 2005, Gene Simmons was sued by a former girlfriend, Georgeann
Walsh Ward, who said she had been "defamed" in the VH1 documentary
When Kiss Ruled the World and portrayed as an "unchaste woman".[27]
A settlement was reached in June 2006.[28]
In 2007, Gene Simmons openly spoke out against music piracy, and
called for file-sharers to be sued.[29] A year later, Gene Simmons
threatened further lawsuits, and to withhold new recordings, if
file-sharing continued.[30] In 2010, Anonymous staged a DDoS on his
Web site, prompting Gene Simmons to hit back with provocative
comments once Gene Simmons was back online.[30]
In 2011, Kiss was removed from the lineup for Michael Jackson's
tribute concert because of Gene Simmons' allegations and negative
comments regarding Jackson's personal life and legal issues.[31]
Instruments
Gene Simmons' axe bass at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle, Washington
Gene Simmons has used various bass guitars during his career
including:
Axe Bass (Kramer, Jackson, B.C. Rich and now Cort)
Punisher Bass (B.C.Rich, now made by Cort)
Spector Gene Simmons Signature
Pedulla Basses (mainly in the 1980s and early 1990s)
Gibson Grabber (mainly in Kiss' early years)
Gibson Ripper (mainly in Kiss' early years)
Custom lebau bass (Wicked Lester, very early kiss circa 73–74)
Cort Guitars Signature GS-1 Bass
Gene Simmons uses Ampeg SVT CL Series amps with 8x10 cabinets. Gene
Simmons uses Silver Herco Flex .75 Nylon Flat Guitar Picks. Gene
Simmons uses D'Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound Custom Light 45-105 Long
Scale Bass Strings. In 2010 Gene Simmons collaborated with Cort
Guitars to make his own signature bass line called the GS-AXE-2.
Film and television career
Gene Simmons has been involved with such television projects as:
My Dad the Rock Star, a cartoon by the Canadian animation company
Nelvana, about the mild mannered son of a Gene Simmons-like rock
star;
Mr. Romance, a show created and hosted by Gene Simmons on the Oxygen
cable television channel;
Rock School, a reality show in which Gene Simmons tries to make a
rock band out of a group of students of Christ's Hospital School in
the first season, and in the second, a group of kids from a
comprehensive school in Lowestoft; Gene Simmons Family Jewels,[32] a reality show documenting the
personal lives of Gene Simmons, his wife, his son and daughter
On March 9, 2011, Gene Simmons and Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley and
E! Entertainment announced that they have finalized a production and
development deal to create an as-yet-untitled comedic half-hour
kids' television series.[33] Gene Simmons appeared as a psychic
working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice, California on the
American hidden camera prank TV series I Get That a Lot.[34]
Awards and recognition
On January 28, 2011, Gene Simmons was in Dallas, Texas to host the
Aces & Angels Salute to the Troops charity event. While in Dallas,
Gene Simmons was presented the key to the city in Dallas, Texas and
a street, Gene Simmons Boulevard, was named for him. Gene Simmons
and Tweed also visited Ft. Hood to support the Troops as a part of
the Aces & Angels event. On June 15 of the same year Gene Simmons
was given the key to the city in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2012, Gene
Simmons was awarded the Golden God award by the Revolver
magazine.[35]
Filmography
Year Film Role Bandmates Miscellaneous
1978 Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park The Demon Peter Criss, Ace
Frehley, Paul Stanley TV movie
1984 Runaway Dr. Charles Luther
1986 Trick or Treat Nuke (radio DJ)
1986 Never Too Young to Die Carruthers / Velvet Von Ragner
1987 Wanted: Dead or Alive Malak Al Rahim
1988 The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
Himself Paul Stanley Documentary
1989 Red Surf Doc
1999 Detroit Rock City Himself Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul
Stanley Gene Simmons also produced
2002 The New Guy Reverend
2002 Wish You Were Dead Vinny
2008 Detroit Metal City Jack lll Dark Japanese movie
2009 Extract[36] Joe Adler
2010 Expecting Mary Taylor
2010 Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage Himself Documentary
Television appearances
Year Show Episode Role Bandmates Miscellaneous
1974 The Mike Douglas Show June 11, 1974 Himself Peter Criss, Ace
Frehley, Paul Stanley Kiss' first national television appearance,
performed "Firehouse". During the interview segment, comedian Totie
Fields, after looking at Gene Simmons in his full Kiss makeup and
costume, remarks to Douglas that underneath it all, "he's probably a
nice Jewish boy."
1976 The Paul Lynde Halloween Special October 29, 1976 Himself Peter
Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley The band performed "Detroit Rock
City" "King of the Night Time World" and "Beth"
1979 Tomorrow Himself Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley
1985 Miami Vice "Prodigal Son" Newton Blade
1997 Action League Now! "Rock-A-Big-Baby" Toy version of himself
Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley Performed "Rock and Roll All
Nite"
1998 MADtv[37] October 31, 1998 (#406) Himself Peter Criss, Ace
Frehley, Paul Stanley. Halloween special; performed in five sketches
2001 Family Guy "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas"
Animated version of himself Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley
2001 Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? May 27, 2001 Himself Won
$500,000 for a charity
2001 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart[38] June 12, 2001 Himself
Almost licked Jon Stewart's face in response to Jon being unable to
explain the difference between pleasure and joy to a man with a
'twelve-inch tongue'
2002 Family Guy "Road to Europe" Animated version of himself Peter
Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley
2002 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno September 6, 2002 Himself
2003 King of the Hill "Reborn to Be Wild" Jessie
2004 Third Watch "Higher Calling" Donald Mann
2004 Third Watch "Monsters" Donald Mann
2004 Third Watch "More Monsters" Donald Mann
2005 American Idol "Auditions: New Orleans" Himself- guest judge
2005 Family Guy "Don't Make Me Over" Animated version of himself/
Prisoner No. 3
2005 Mind of Mencia Episode #1.7 Himself
2006 The View August 1, 2006 Himself Gene Simmons Family Jewels
2007 SpongeBob SquarePants "20,000 Patties Under the Sea" Sea
Monster
2007 Shrink Rap "Gene Simmons" Himself UK's More4 show
2008 Entertainment Tonight January 2, 2008 Himself
2008 Jimmy Kimmel Live! January 18, 2008 Himself
2008 Rachael Ray March 11, 2008 Himself
2008 Criss Angel Mindfreak "Mindfreaking with the Stars" Himself
2008 Ugly Betty "The Kids Are Alright" Himself
2008 Ugly Betty "A Thousand Words by Friday" Himself
2008 Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Episode #3.9 Himself Won
$500,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation charity
2008 The Celebrity Apprentice First three episodes Himself Won
$20,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation charity;
Fired in the third episode
2008 Jingles[39] Celebrity judge Mark Burnett reality show
2009 Glenn Martin DDS Glenn Gary, Glenn Martin himself
2009 American Idol Season Finale Himself Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer,
Paul Stanley Performed medley of 3 songs with contestant Adam
Lambert
2009 The Fairly OddParents "Wishology – Part 1: The Big Beginning"
Animated version of himself Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley
2009 The Fairly OddParents "Wishology – Part 3: The Final Ending"
Animated version of himself Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley
2010 I Get That a Lot Episode 2 As Himself Gene Simmons appeared as
a psychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice,
California
2010 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Episode 160 As Himself The band
Kiss made a personal appearance during the Wagstaff family's
vacation in Disneyland and honored them as special guests at one of
their concerts. Kiss also made a personal appearance at a local
school where a donation of new musical instruments was made in the
Wagstaff family's name.
2010 I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band! Episode 1 And 5 As Himself
Discussing the requirements of being in a rock band.
2011 Castle To Love and Die in LA As Himself
Video appearances
In 2007, Gene Simmons appeared alongside other celebrities, as well
as regular people, in the music video for "Rockstar" by Nickelback.
Video Game Appearances
Gene Simmons is a
playable character in Tony Hawk's Underground, unlocked when
completing the story mode on Normal difficulty, and also appears
with his Kiss bandmates in the Hotter Than Hell level to play one of
three songs upon collecting the four K-I-S-S letters.
Gene Simmons' Kiss
character, The Demon, is a playable character in Kiss: Psycho
Circus: The Nightmare Child.
Gene Simmons also has a large role in the 2010 music video game
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. In addition to narrating the main
storyline and doing advertising for the game, the Kiss song "Love
Gun" is playable.
Discography
Kiss
Main article: Kiss discography
Solo
Gene Simmons
(1978)
Sex Money Kiss (audiobook CD), 2003)
Asshole (2004)
Speaking in Tongues (spoken word CD, 2004)
Publishing career
In 2002, Gene Simmons
launched Gene Simmons' Tongue, a men's lifestyle magazine.[40] The
magazine lasted five issues before being discontinued.
Published works
Kiss and Make-Up, Gene
Simmons (ISBN 0-609-81002-2)
Sex Money Kiss, Gene
Simmons (ISBN 1-893224-86-4)
Kiss: The Early Years,
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (ISBN 0-609-81028-6)
Kiss: Behind the Mask, David Leaf and Ken Sharp (ISBN 0-446-96524-6)
Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the
Oldest Profession in the World,
Gene Simmons (ISBN 1-59777-501-0)
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