Paul Stanley in the early 1970s.
Contents
1 Life and career
1.1 Early life 1.2 Kiss
2 Playing style
2.1 Stage makeup and persona
3 Personal life
3.1 Homecoming visit to Israel 3.2 Political views 3.3 Philanthropy 3.4 Controversy
4 Other projects 5 Public statements and image
5.1 Promiscuity
5.2
Islam
Islam comments in Australia
5.3 Defamation lawsuit by former girlfriend
5.4 Views on musical piracy
5.5 Sex tape scandal
5.6 Comments on suicide and depression
5.7 Decline of music industry
6 Film and television career 7 Awards and recognition 8 Filmography 9 Television appearances 10 Video games
10.1 Music video appearances 10.2 Video game appearances
11 Discography
11.1 Kiss 11.2 Solo
12 Publishing career 13 Other ventures 14 Published works 15 References 16 External links
Life and career[edit]
Early life[edit]
Born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, at Rambam Hospital, in Haifa,
Israel, Simmons and his mother immigrated to
New York City
New York City when he was
eight. Simmons was raised in a
Jewish
Jewish household, where he practiced
playing his guitar for hours on end.[1] His mother, Florence Klein
(originally Flóra Kovács), was born in Jánd, Hungary. The name
Klein, which means "small" in German, has the Hungarian equivalent Kis
(a common Hungarian surname); this, however, did not give the band its
name.[2] Simmons' mother survived internment in Nazi concentration
camps.[3] She and her brother, Larry Klein, were the only members of
the family to survive the Holocaust.
Simmons' father, Ferenc Witz, also Hungarian-born, remained in Israel,
where he had one other son and three daughters, and worked as a
carpenter. Simmons says the family was "dirt poor", scraping by on
bread and milk.[4] In the United States, Simmons changed his name to
Eugene Klein (later Gene Klein), adopting his mother's maiden
name.[citation needed] Before his musical career began, Simmons worked
a variety of jobs in the city. An "excellent typist", he served as an
assistant to an editor of the fashion magazine Vogue, and also spent
several months as a sixth grade instructor on the Upper West Side.[5]
A significant influence on Simmons was the Beatles. "There is no way
I'd be doing what I do now if it wasn't for The Beatles. I was
watching
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show and I saw them. Those skinny little
boys, kind of androgynous, with long hair like girls. It blew me away
that these four boys [from] the middle of nowhere could make that
music."[6]
Kiss[edit]
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons as "The Demon", 2010
Simmons became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed The
Missing Links, when he was a teenager. Eventually, he disbanded the
band to form The Long Island Sounds, the name being a pun on Long
Island Sound. While he played in these bands, he worked at odd jobs on
the side to make more money, including trading used comic books.
Simmons attended
Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake,
New York. He joined a new band, Bullfrog Bheer, and the band recorded
a demo, "Leeta"; this was later included on the
Kiss
Kiss box set.[citation
needed]
Simmons formed the rock band
Wicked Lester
Wicked Lester in the early 1970s with
Stanley Eisen (now known as Paul Stanley) and recorded one album,
which was never released. Dissatisfied with Wicked Lester's sound and
look, 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. Simmons and
Stanley found an ad placed by George Peter John Criscuola (known as
Peter Criss) who was playing clubs in
Brooklyn
Brooklyn at the time; they
joined and started out as a trio.
During this time, Criss and Simmons also appeared on an unreleased
album by Captain Sanity together with members from Criss' previous
band Chelsea. Paul Frehley (better known as Ace Frehley) responded to
an ad they put in
The Village Voice
The Village Voice for a lead guitar player, and soon
joined them.
Kiss
Kiss released their self-titled debut album in February
1974. Stanley took on the role of lead performer on stage, while
Simmons became the driving force behind what became an extensive Kiss
merchandising franchise. The eye section of his "Demon" makeup with
Kiss
Kiss came from the wing design of comic book character Black Bolt.[7]
Simmons' 'The Demon' make-up
In 1983, when the fame of
Kiss
Kiss 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, was voted out of the band, and a replacement was sought to
fill his vacancy. The new drummer was Paul Charles Caravello, who went
by the stage name of Eric Carr, and played for
Kiss
Kiss from 1980 until
his death in 1991. The band hosted its own fan conventions in 1995,
and fan feedback about the original
Kiss
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
Tommy Thayer replacing Ace
Frehley on lead guitar and
Eric Singer
Eric Singer (who performed with
Kiss
Kiss from
1991 through 1996) replacing
Peter Criss
Peter Criss on drums.
Playing style[edit]
In most
Kiss
Kiss songs, lead vocals are performed by lead vocalist and
rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, but there are some exceptions in which
Simmons sings lead vocals, such as Rock and Roll All Nite, A World
Without Heroes, I Love It Loud, Calling Dr. Love, Unholy, Spit (second
lead vocals), Boomerang, and
You Wanted the Best
You Wanted the Best (first lead vocals),
among others.
Stage makeup and persona[edit]
In addition to playing bass, Simmons is known for his large tongue and
on stage is known for his demonic figure by spitting fire and vomiting
stage blood.
During an interview in 1999, Simmons was asked about the source and
significance of Kiss' stage makeup and personas:
I've always been a fan of Americana, and
Americana
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
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.
Personal life[edit]
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons fire breathing.
Simmons is a science fiction and comic book fan and published several
science fiction fanzines, among them Id, Cosmos (which eventually
merged with Stilletto to become Cosmos-Stilletto and then Faun),
Tinderbox, Sci-Fi Showcase, Mantis and Adventure. He also contributed
to other fanzines, among them
BeABohema and Sirruish.[8] By 1977,
however, he would write in a letter of comment to Janus, "I haven't
been active [in fandom] for about five years".[9]
Simmons lives in Los Angeles,
California
California with his wife, Canadian
former
Playboy Playmate
Playboy Playmate and actress Shannon Lee Tweed. Although they
began dating in 1983, they didn't marry until 28 years later.[10]
Simmons often joked that he and Tweed were "happily unmarried" for
over 20 years. He also often stated, "Marriage is an institution, and
I don't want to live in an institution". Simmons and Tweed wed on
October 1, 2011, at the
Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly
Hills.[10][11][12] They have two children: a son, Nick (born January
22, 1989), and a daughter, Sophie (born July 7, 1992). He formerly had
live-in relationships with
Cher
Cher and Diana Ross.[13] Simmons can speak
Hungarian, German, English, Hebrew and some Japanese.[13]
Homecoming visit to Israel[edit]
In March 2011, Simmons visited his home country, Israel. He described
the trip as a "life changing experience". He talked about how he still
feels that he is an Israeli: "I'm Israeli. I'm a stranger in America.
I'm an outsider".[14] While there, Simmons met his half-brother Kobi,
and triplet half-sisters Drora, Sharon, and Ogenia.[15] Simmons has
plans to take
Kiss
Kiss to Israel. He has said that he is an ardent
supporter of Israel.[16] At a press conference in Israel, he spoke in
both Hebrew and English.[17]
Political views[edit]
Simmons was a supporter of the foreign policy of the George W. Bush
administration.[18] He 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".[19] In a follow-up, 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".[19]
During the
2006 Lebanon War
2006 Lebanon War between
Israel
Israel and Lebanon, 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".[20]
In 2010, Simmons said he regretted voting for
Barack Obama
Barack Obama and
criticized the 2009 health care reforms.[21] Following Obama's 2011
speech on the Middle East, in which the President called on
Israel
Israel and
the Palestinians to negotiate a settlement "based on the 1967 lines
with mutually agreed swaps",[22] Simmons told
CNBC
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 (14 km) wide?" Simmons also accused the United Nations
of being "the most pathetic body on the face of the earth".[23]
During his visit to
Israel
Israel in 2011, he stated that the artists
refusing to perform in
Israel
Israel for political reasons are "stupid".[24]
In an April 2012 interview, Simmons endorsed Republican Mitt Romney
for President, stating that "America should be in business and it
should be run by a businessman".[25]
On 6 November 2015 he attended a Friends of the
Israel
Israel Defense Forces
gala in Beverly Hills, which raised more than $31 million.[26]
Philanthropy[edit]
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is a known advocate for ChildFund International's work.
He traveled to Zambia during his
Gene Simmons Family Jewels
Gene Simmons Family Jewels show to
visit several of his sponsored children, of whom he has more than
1400.[27] Simmons said that the trip "[was] a stark reminder that life
doesn't treat everyone the same".[28]
Simmons' family received the MEND Humanitarian Award for their
philanthropic efforts and support for
Mending Kids International
Mending Kids International at
the organization's annual gala on November 9, 2013. The award was
presented by Mel Gibson.[29] In his acceptance speech, Simmons spoke
of his own difficult childhood in
Israel
Israel in a bullet-riddled house. He
recalled his mother's excitement when they received a CARE box one
day.[30]
Simmons helped found "The Children Matter", which is a collaborative
initiative with the charity MATTER that fights to get kids around the
world access to health care.[31]
Controversy[edit]
On November 16, 2017, Simmons made an appearance on Fox & Friends
to promote a new book, but shortly afterward, he burst into a staff
meeting uninvited by yanking his shirt and telling jokes. The next
day, on November 17,
Fox News
Fox News announced that Simmons had been banned
for life from their program.[32][33][34]
Other projects[edit]
On August 15, 2013, Simmons,
Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley and manager Doc McGhee
became a part of the ownership group that created the LA
Kiss
Kiss Arena
Football League team, which plays their home games at the Honda Center
in Anaheim, California. The team has since folded.
He has his own magazine,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine, his own label,
Simmons Records, and animated series, My Dad the Rock Star.
Public statements and image[edit]
Promiscuity[edit]
In February 2002, Simmons was interviewed on the NPR radio show Fresh
Air and asked about his claim of having had sex with 4,600 women. He
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 song "You Better You Bet".
Gross replied: "That's a really obnoxious thing to say". At the time,
Simmons refused to grant permission to NPR to make the interview
available online.[35] However, it appears in print in Gross's book All
I Did Was Ask and unauthorized transcripts are available. NPR
re-broadcast part of the interview in August 2007.[36] In a 2014
interview with The Huffington Post, Simmons noted he was upset over
what he perceived as Gross's "holier-than-thou" attitude, which
included mislabeling his band
Kiss
Kiss as "The Kiss".[37]
Islam
Islam comments in Australia[edit]
In 2004, during an interview in Melbourne, Australia, while talking
about Islamic extremists, Simmons described
Islam
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. He said: "They want to come
and live right where you live and they think that you're evil."
Australia's Muslim of the Year
Susan Carland argued that Simmons'
stereotyping of Muslims was inaccurate.[38] Simmons later clarified
his comments on his website, saying he had been talking specifically
about Muslim extremists.[39]
Defamation lawsuit by former girlfriend[edit]
In 2005, Simmons was sued by a former girlfriend, Georgeann Walsh
Ward, who said she had been "defamed" in the
VH1
VH1 documentary When Kiss
Ruled the World and portrayed as an "unchaste woman".[40] A settlement
was reached in June 2006.[41]
Views on musical piracy[edit]
In 2007, Simmons openly spoke out against music piracy, and called for
file-sharers to be sued.[42] A year later, he threatened further
lawsuits, and to withhold new recordings, if file-sharing continued.
In 2010, Anonymous staged a
DDoS
DDoS on his website, prompting Simmons to
hit back with provocative comments once he was back online, at which
point Anonymous staged a second DDoS, taking Simmons' site down
again.[43]
Sex tape scandal[edit]
In 2008, a video on the Internet surfaced which purported to be
Simmons engaging in sexual activity with an unnamed woman.[44] Simmons
later stated that the tape was recorded without his consent or
knowledge and that his legal team was pursuing legal options including
copyright infringement.[45]
Comments on suicide and depression[edit]
In August 2014, Simmons made comments in an interview with
Songfacts.com that seemed to openly encourage people with depression
to kill themselves. The comments drew criticism from
Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx of
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe who had suffered from depression in the past.[46]
Following his comments both
Triple M
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Triple M and
Power 97
Power 97 stated that they
were pulling all
Kiss
Kiss songs from their lineup in protest.[47] Simmons
later clarified his comments and apologized for the incident.[46][48]
Decline of music industry[edit]
In September 2014, Simmons said "The death of rock was not a natural
death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered". Simmons blames
file sharing and the fact that no one values music "enough to pay you
for it" for the decline of the rock music scene.[49]
Film and television career[edit]
Simmons has been involved with such television projects as:
My Dad the Rock Star,[10] 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 Simmons on the Oxygen cable
television channel
Rock School, a UK reality show in which Simmons tries to make a rock
band out of a group of students of
Christ's Hospital School
Christ's Hospital School in the
first season, and in the second, a group of kids from a comprehensive
school in Lowestoft
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Family Jewels,[50] a reality show documenting the
personal lives of Simmons, his wife, his son and daughter
On March 9, 2011, Simmons and
Kiss
Kiss co-founder
Paul Stanley
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.[51] Simmons appeared as a psychic working at the
Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice,
California
California on the American hidden
camera prank TV series I Get That a Lot.[52] He also guest-starred as
himself in the 2014 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode Long Road
Home. He also performed in the 1984
Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton thriller movie
Runaway starring Tom Selleck,
Cynthia Rhodes and
Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley and the
1987 Gary Sherman movie Wanted: Dead or Alive starring Rutger
Hauer.[53] In March 2015 founded the film production company Erebus
Pictures[54] and announced as the first project was the
Horror-thriller film Armed Response.[55]
Awards and recognition[edit]
On January 28, 2011, Simmons was in Dallas, Texas, to host the Aces
& Angels Salute to the Troops charity event. While in Dallas,
Simmons was presented the key to the city, and a street (Gene Simmons
Boulevard) was named for him. Simmons and Tweed also visited the U.S.
Army base at
Fort Hood
Fort Hood to support the Troops as a part of the Aces
& Angels event. On June 15 of the same year he was given the key
to the city in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2012, Simmons was awarded the
Golden God award by the Revolver magazine.[56]
On October 30, 2013 during the KISS KRUISE 3, KISS Navy members John
and Jamie Downs presented
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons with a plaque commemorating the
Smithsonian National Museum of American History's acceptance of an
autographed
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Axe bass into their collection. The
Smithsonian Museum's statement reads, in part: "The bass will now be
cared for in our permanent collections... We are happy to include the
Axe bass as it relates to the impact Mr. Simmons and his band KISS
have had on American culture, especially in the creation of a unique
and iconic brand that has been embraced by fans worldwide ... The
story of Mr. Simmons' American experience deserves to be preserved. An
immigrant and son of a holocaust survivor, he used creative vision and
entrepreneurial acumen to make a significant impact for our nation's
popular culture, becoming an iconic figure in American music and
entertainment."[57]
Simmons is an honorary board member of Little Kids Rock, an national
nonprofit that works to restore and revitalize music education in
disadvantaged U.S. public schools. A&E’s
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Family
Jewels visited a Little Kids Rock classroom and featured the segment
on the show. He also decorated a guitar for auction with his son
Nick.[58]
On December 15, 2014, Simmons was awarded in Spain with the Golden
Medal by the Reial Circle Artístic de Barcelona (Royal Artistic
Circle of Barcelona).[59]
Filmography[edit]
Year Film Role Bandmates Miscellaneous
1978
Kiss
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 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[60] Joe Adler
2010 Expecting Mary Taylor
2010 Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage Himself
Documentary
2013 Sample This: The Incredible Story of the Incredible Bongo Band Himself
Documentary
2015 Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery The Demon Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer Voice only
2016 We Are X Himself
Documentary
2016 Temple TBA
Post-production
2016 Why Him? Himself Paul Stanley Cameo
2017 Armed Response
Television appearances[edit]
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".
1976 The Paul Lynde Halloween Special October 29, 1976 Himself Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley 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
1986 The Hitchhiker "O.D.Feelin'" January 28, 1986 Mr. Big
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[61] October 31, 1998 (#406) Himself Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley. Halloween special; performed in five sketches
1998 Millennium "...Thirteen Years Later" October 30, 1998 Hector Leachman Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley
2000 "That 70's Show" "Red sees Red" as The Devil
2001
Family Guy
"A Very
Special
Special
Family Guy
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 $32,000 for a charity
2001 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart[62] 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
Lois Griffin claims she dated
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons while they were in high
school, and calls him by his birth name, Chaim Witz.
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
Promotional appearance for
Gene Simmons
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[63]
Celebrity judge
Mark Burnett
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
Simmons appeared as a psychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice, California
2010 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Episode 160 As Himself
Kiss
Kiss made a personal appearance during the Wagstaff family's vacation
in
Disneyland
Disneyland and honored them as special guests at one of their
concerts.
Kiss
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
2014 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Long Road Home As Himself
2014 American Idol Season 13 Finale Himself Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley Performed with Caleb Johnson
2014 Welcome to Sweden S1 Ep4: Get a Job/Farthinder Himself
2015 Scorpion S2 Ep1: Himself
30 September 2015, Himself, Interview
2016
Angie Tribeca
Angie Tribeca (2016 TBS TV Series)
S1 Ep9:
Himself
Video games[edit]
Year Video Game Role
2014 Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff Himself
Music video appearances[edit]
In 1994, Simmons appears as auditioning for the band with actor Al
Lewis & comedian Gilbert Gottfried in a music video for "I'll Talk
My Way Out Of It" by Howard Stern comedian Stuttering John. In 2007,
he appeared alongside other celebrities, as well as regular people, in
the music video for "Rockstar" by Nickelback.
Video game appearances[edit]
Gene Simmons
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
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
Kiss character, The Demon, is a playable character in
Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child. 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
Kiss song "Love Gun" is playable.
Appears as The Demon in KISS Rock City
Discography[edit]
Kiss[edit]
Main article:
Kiss
Kiss discography
Solo[edit]
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (1978)
Asshole (2004)
Speaking in Tongues (2004)
Vault (2017)
Publishing career[edit]
In 2002, Simmons launched Gene Simmons' Tongue, a men's lifestyle
magazine.[64] The magazine lasted five issues before being
discontinued.
Other ventures[edit]
In 1976-77, Simmons signed a management/production contract with the
band Van Halen. He produced a
Van Halen
Van Halen demo tape and attempted to
find a record deal for the band with a variety of major record labels.
When no deal materialised, he released them from their
contract.[citation needed]
From 2006–2008, Simmons served in a marketing and publicity role
with the Indy Racing League.[65]
In 2012, Simmons partnered with
Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley and three other investors
to form the restaurant franchise Rock & Brews.
Published works[edit]
Me, Inc.: Build an Army of One, Unleash Your Inner Rock God, Win in
Life and Business ,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (ISBN 0-062-32261-3)
Kiss
Kiss and Make-Up,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (ISBN 0-609-81002-2)
Sex Money Kiss,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (ISBN 1-893224-86-4)
Kiss: The Early Years,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley
(ISBN 0-609-81028-6)
Kiss: Behind the Mask, David Leaf and Ken Sharp
(ISBN 978-0-446-69524-4)
Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the
Oldest Profession in the World,
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (ISBN 1-59777-501-0)
References[edit]
^ Martin, Dale (October 4, 1998). "KISS army continues to grow". The
Victoria Advocate. p. 10D. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
^ boards.aetv.com Archived July 7, 2012, at Archive.is; retrieved
February 1, 2011.
^ "Gene Simmons' Mom, the Holocaust, and Me". The Huffington Post.
Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ Associated, The (March 22, 2011). "Lead singer of
Kiss
Kiss Gene Simmons
slams
Israel
Israel boycotters". Haaretz. Israel. Retrieved August 10,
2011.
^ Lewis, Barbara (June 4, 1978). "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Was Sixth Grade
Teacher". The Lakeland Ledger.
^ Crandall, Bill. "10 musicians who saw the Beatles standing there",
CBS News, February 6, 2014.
^ KISS bassist
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons said on an episode of his television show
Gene Simmons Family Jewels
Gene Simmons Family Jewels that he is a big comic book fan, with the
bat-like "wings" in his "Demon" persona costume being modelled after
those worn by
Black Bolt
Black Bolt
Gene Simmons Family Jewels
Gene Simmons Family Jewels – Under the
Knife? – Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010 – mReplay Livedash TV Transcript
– Livedash – Search what is being mentioned across national TV
Archived October 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.. Livedash. Retrieved
February 1, 2011.
^ "Gene Simmons: 60s Fanzine Publisher" Archived August 27, 2013, at
Archive.is, October 2008
^ Simmons, Gene. "Letter" Janus 8 (Vol 3, No. 2); Janice Bogstad &
Jeanne Gomoll, eds., 1977; p. 15
^ a b c McFliker, Todd (October 14, 2013). "
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Gene Simmons of KISS: My
Dad the Rock Star". Fatherhood Channel. Retrieved October 14,
2013.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is married". The People. October 1, 2011. Retrieved
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^ "
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Gene Simmons and long term girlfriend marry". MSN – Wonderwall.
October 1, 2011. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013.
Retrieved October 2, 2011.
^ a b Biography Archived September 6, 2012, at Archive.is.
GeneSimmons.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
^ Josef Federman. "AP Interview: Simmons blasts
Israel
Israel boycotters".
Yahoo!. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011.
^ Late Night Rocker (March 31, 2011). "
Kiss
Kiss Mask Webzine: Meet Gene
Simmons' Brother and Sisters". Kissmaskwebzine.blogspot.com. Retrieved
August 10, 2011.
^ Brinn, David (March 23, 2011). "
Kiss
Kiss rocker
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons back in
Israel
Israel after 51 years". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 10,
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^
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Gene Simmons in
Israel
Israel / ג'ין סימונס בישראל on
YouTube
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Retrieved February 1, 2011.
^ a b News Archived December 8, 2012, at Archive.is. GeneSimmons.com.
Retrieved February 1, 2011.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons hails Israeli soldier". The Washington Post.
Associated Press. August 26, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
^ Gavin, Patrick (December 6, 2010). "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Knocks President
Obama". The Politico. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
^ Remarks by the President on the Middle East and North Africa, Barack
Obama, The White House, May 19, 2011
^ Ben Gedalyahu, Tzvi (May 22, 2011). "Video of Rock Star Gene
Simmons: Obama Doesn't Have a Clue".
Israel
Israel National News. Retrieved
June 1, 2011.
^ "ג'ין סימונס: "היוצרים מחרימי ישראל –
טיפשים"". YNet. March 23, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
^ "
Kiss
Kiss Frontman
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Voices Support For Mitt Romney, Regrets
Voting For Obama In '08". Mediaite. April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 25,
2012.
^ "IN PICTURES: Star-studded LA fundraiser rakes in $31 million for
IDF". Retrieved July 1, 2017.
^ "KISS Icon
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Brightens Lives of Sponsored Children".
childfund.org. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ "ChildFund Partners with
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Family Jewels". childfund.org.
Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ "
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson Presents
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons With Charity Award". Look to the
Stars. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^
Mending Kids International
Mending Kids International (November 11, 2013). "Mending Kids
International Honors Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed-Simmons, Nick Simmons
And Sophie... -- LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --".
prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ Minnesota CBS local (June 22, 2017). "KISS Legend Gene Simmons' Twin
Cities Charitable Connection". minnesota.cbslocal.com. Retrieved June
27, 2017.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons banned from
Fox News
Fox News for life". The Week. Retrieved
November 17, 2017.
^ "GENE SIMMONS Apologizes For 'Unintentionally' Offending Members Of
FOX Team". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
^ "Two Women Accuse KISS'
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons of Sexual Harassment". Metal
Injection. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
^ "
Terry Gross
Terry Gross interview with Gene Simmons". Internet Archive.
Retrieved August 13, 2009.
^ "The Unpredictable Gene Simmons". NPR. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 1
February 2011.
^ Branch, Chris. "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Calls NPR's
Terry Gross
Terry Gross 'Arrogant And
Insulting'". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
^ "Outrage as KISS player mouths off on Muslims". Sydney Morning
Herald, May 14, 2004
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons clarifies Muslim remarks".
^ KISS Singer's Motion to Dismiss Defamation Suit Denied. Law.com.
Retrieved February 1, 2011.
^ Kiss's
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Settles Defamation Suit by Ex-Girlfriend –
Music Songs Country Rap. FOXNews.com (June 28, 2006). Retrieved
February 1, 2011.
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2015.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons vs. Anonymous: Who's the bigger tool?". Ars Technica.
Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ "KISS and Tell: Simmons Sex Tape Goes Viral". The Age (Australia),
2008-02-22.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons to Sex Site: Suck My Copyright!". TMZ.com. TMZ.
Retrieved 2 December 2014.
^ a b "Gene Simmons' Depression and Suicide Comments Anger Nikki
Sixx". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^ O'Neal, Sean. "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons continues asshole tour by telling
depressed people to kill themselves". The AV Club. Retrieved August
15, 2014.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons sorry for 'spur of the moment' remarks about mental
illness". Guardian. Missing or empty url= (help); access-date=
requires url= (help)
^ "Gene Simmons: 'Rock Is Finally Dead. It Was Murdered'". yahoo.com.
September 7, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
^
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Gene Simmons Family Jewels – A&E TV. Aetv.com. Retrieved
February 1, 2011.
^ > News > Kissonline.com; News Archived March 25, 2010, at the
Wayback Machine.. Kissonline.Com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
^ "
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons poses as psychic for US prank show". January 7, 2010.
Retrieved January 14, 2010.
^ "Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)". Retrieved July 1, 2017.
^ "WWE and
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons Launch Genre Label; First Film Project
Announced – Temple". Dread Central. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March
27, 2015.
^ "If
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons and WWE's 'Temple' Is Good, I'll Eat This
Article!". Bloody Disgusting. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 27,
2015.
^ ‘Revolver’ Golden Gods Awards Winners Announced! Archived
February 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.. revolvermag.com.
April-16-2012; retrieved April 21, 2012.
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Website". KISS Online. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 14, 2014.
Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^ "El bajista de
Kiss
Kiss recibirá el lunes la medalla de oro del Reial
Cercle Artístic". LA VANGUARDIA. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
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Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons To Appear In 'Extract' Film". Blabbermouth.net. May 3,
2009. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 14,
2009.
^ "Planet
MADtv
MADtv – Episode No. 406 (Aired October 31, 1998)".
Retrieved June 5, 2009.
^ "The Daily Show-Gene Simmons". Retrieved February 20, 2011.
^ "
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Gene Simmons to judge Burnett's 'Jingles'". Retrieved March 14,
2009.
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Gene Simmons combines sex, showmanship in his
men's magazine. Sfgate.com (August 28, 2002); retrieved February 1,
2011.
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Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons &
Richard Abramson". GeneSimmons.com. January 10, 2006. Archived from
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