Gene Simmons

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Birthday:

25 August 1949, Tirat Carmel, Israel

Birth Name:

Chaim Weitz

Height:

188 cm

Best known as the fire breathing, blood splitting and larger than life co-founder of hard rock supergroup, KISS. Simmons was actually born Chaim Witz in August 1949 in Haifa, Israel, the son of Hungarian Jewish parents, Flóra "Florence" (Klein or Kovács) and Feri Yechiel Witz. He moved to New York as a young child. Like many American teenagers of the 1960s, he was influenced by a fascination with comic book super heroes, monster movies and rock and roll music, thus the teenage Simmons set about creating what he perceived as the ultimate music supergroup.Simmons eventually crossed paths with like-minded musician / songwriter Paul Stanley (born Stanley Eisen) in the early 1970s, and after several failed attempts to create their dream band, they recruited fellow New Yorkers spaced out guitarist Ace Frehley (born Paul Daniel Frehley) and "do anything to make it" drummer Peter Criss (born Peter Crisscuola).The four struggling young musicians practiced relentlessly in a rundown loft in New York City refining their music & stage show before eventually launching themselves on the New York live music scene in the early 1970s with their blitzkrieg style of hard rock, kabuki stage make up and unforgettable high energy performances. After bombarding media, TV & public relations identities with invites to their shows, Simmons and Stanley soon brokered a deal with Madison Ave executive Bill Aucoin for him to manage the band, and Aucoin soon scored KISS a record deal with the fledgling Casablanca Records & Filmworks.....and the rest as they say is KISStory!Since their first album debuted in 1974, KISS have sold over 80 million albums and played over 2,000 shows to millions of loyal fans (known as the KISS Army) right around the globe. Never one to keep still for too long, the charismatic Simmons made his first feature film appearance as his alter ego (The Demon from KISS) in the 1978 telemovie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978), which received scathing reviews in the USA from TV critics. However KISS fans internationally loved the film and it played theatrically to strong box office business in dozens of countries, and has since become something of a cult film....despite its corny, cartoonish plot! Since KISS didn't drop wearing their distinctive make up until 1983, it was several years before Simmons appeared in front of the cameras again (this time without the Demon make up), as an evil techno-junkie killer battling Tom Selleck in the thriller Runaway (1984). Simmons has since continued to turn up in low-key roles in B-grade thrillers such as Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) and Red Surf (1989) that utilize his ability to glower and look menacingly into the camera. In addition, Simmons has appeared in minor guest roles in several TV crime shows including Miami Vice (1984), Millennium (1996) and, most recently, in Third Watch (1999). Show less «

It's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it.

Walk amongst the natives by day, but in your heart be Superman.

Anyone who tells you they got into rock n' roll for reasons other than girls, fame and money is full of shit.

When I'm gone, on my tombstone I'd like 'Thank you and goodnight', because I have no regrets. The sad thing is most people have to check wit...Show more »

When I'm gone, on my tombstone I'd like 'Thank you and goodnight', because I have no regrets. The sad thing is most people have to check with someone before they do the things that make them happy. We're all passing through; the least we can do is be happy, and the only way to do that is by being selfish. Show less «

The first thing I did when I met Shannon Tweed, or Cher, was say: 'Here, there are no skeletons in Gene Simmons's closet.' I refuse to lead ...Show more »

The first thing I did when I met Shannon Tweed, or Cher, was say: 'Here, there are no skeletons in Gene Simmons's closet.' I refuse to lead a Dr Jekyll-and-Mr Hyde life. There are DJs who get caught with prostitutes, MPs with stockings on their head. It's a waste of time. Just say, 'This is who I am. Take it or leave it'. Then you sleep well. Show less «

My hero is me. Why? Because I was a poor little kid who was told, 'Hey stupid, can't you speak English?' Now all those people work for me. D...Show more »

My hero is me. Why? Because I was a poor little kid who was told, 'Hey stupid, can't you speak English?' Now all those people work for me. Despite whatever circumstances I came across, I was always able to rise to the top and there's only one way to do that - by being selfish, but also by believing in yourself. Belief is self-knowing. Even Yoda out of Star Wars said, 'Do or do not. There is no try.' Show less «

[on why he was voting for George W. Bush in 2004] When you walk through a bad neighborhood, you don't want a poodle by your side. You want a...Show more »

[on why he was voting for George W. Bush in 2004] When you walk through a bad neighborhood, you don't want a poodle by your side. You want a Rottweiler. Show less «

Marriage is an institution, and you must be fully committed to it. That sounds crazy to me.

The root of all evil isn't money; rather, it's not having enough money.

Whoever said 'Money can't buy you love or joy' obviously was not making enough money.

[on his children, Nick Simmons and Sophie Simmons] Why are they so funny and creative and charming and generous? Because I won't stand for t...Show more »

[on his children, Nick Simmons and Sophie Simmons] Why are they so funny and creative and charming and generous? Because I won't stand for them being anything less, that's why! Show less «

[on the dismissal of his KISS band-mates Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in the early 1980s] They were let go for being into alcohol and worse d...Show more »

[on the dismissal of his KISS band-mates Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in the early 1980s] They were let go for being into alcohol and worse drugs, pure and simple. I love both those guys to death. But I didn't want them to die on tour. Show less «

You can't argue with facts and figures. Either people want it, in which case they pay for it, or it's two guys sitting around at the Plaza h...Show more »

You can't argue with facts and figures. Either people want it, in which case they pay for it, or it's two guys sitting around at the Plaza having a discussion, which means nothing. I mean, Titanic (1997). I wasn't crazy about the movie. But you know what? I'm gonna shut up, because the people have spoken. End of story! Show less «

[on Radiohead's plan in 2007 to let fans choose how much to pay for their new album] That's not a business model that works. I open a store ...Show more »

[on Radiohead's plan in 2007 to let fans choose how much to pay for their new album] That's not a business model that works. I open a store and say, 'come on in and pay whatever you want'. Are you on fucking crack? Show less «

We broke Lawrence Welk's attendance record in Abilene, Texas. I'm very proud of that.

We own some very big houses that critics have bought us with their bad reviews. Critics are an unnecessary life form. There's a large Kiss c...Show more »

We own some very big houses that critics have bought us with their bad reviews. Critics are an unnecessary life form. There's a large Kiss cemetery at the back of our houses where we bury them. Show less «

Kids should never be allowed, much less forced, to leave the nest until and unless they can fly - or, preferably, soar.

The best you can do is set your kids on the right track; staying on it without falling is up to the kids.

The best things in life are never given; they're earned. Responsibility, for instance.

Everyone has SOMETHING for which everybody else will gladly shell out a ton of money...whether or not they know exactly what it is.

[on pop duo "Boy Meets Girl", aka George Merrill & Shannon Rubicam] Their worst and only mistake was actually getting married, when they alr...Show more »

[on pop duo "Boy Meets Girl", aka George Merrill & Shannon Rubicam] Their worst and only mistake was actually getting married, when they already had a gorgeous little girl *and* a booming music career. Had those two just left well-enough alone, like Shannon (Tweed) and I have, they'd probably still be a couple today. Show less «

[on touring as a family group] I think it's good for me and good for the family. It forces [us] to confront issues that would normally be hi...Show more »

[on touring as a family group] I think it's good for me and good for the family. It forces [us] to confront issues that would normally be hidden. We've been together twenty-eight years and I don't know of a single highway you can drive on that doesn't have bumps in the road. Love is the answer. If you care enough about somebody, you confront those issues. Show less «

The TV show, for me, is medicinal. I'm able to watch it and realize that I'm not aware how I come off. I can be short, I can be impolite, an...Show more »

The TV show, for me, is medicinal. I'm able to watch it and realize that I'm not aware how I come off. I can be short, I can be impolite, and not be aware of it, and it certainly hurts people's feelings. Show less «

This is a privileged life. There are rewards. But at any time I could say 'I don't want to do this, don't bother me' and quit. I do it becau...Show more »

This is a privileged life. There are rewards. But at any time I could say 'I don't want to do this, don't bother me' and quit. I do it because I love it. Show less «

It is time for me to grow up. I'm 62. I've been doing a lot of wacky stuff for an awfully long time... and there's nobody I've ever said 'I ...Show more »

It is time for me to grow up. I'm 62. I've been doing a lot of wacky stuff for an awfully long time... and there's nobody I've ever said 'I love you' to. I even find it difficult to say 'I love you' to my mother. But I love Shannon with all my heart and all my soul, and always will. Show less «

Don't believe bands who say it's all about the fans and they want to give their music away for free. The result is they will continue to liv...Show more »

Don't believe bands who say it's all about the fans and they want to give their music away for free. The result is they will continue to live in their mother's basement. Show less «

If someone offered me a billion dollars for the Kiss brand I wouldn't sell. We now have 3,000 licensed products. There's no limit to what Ki...Show more »

If someone offered me a billion dollars for the Kiss brand I wouldn't sell. We now have 3,000 licensed products. There's no limit to what Kiss can do. We have everything from condoms to caskets - we'll get you coming and we'll get you going. Show less «

Music, marriage and religion, it's all a business. Even God passes the hat around. It is your fiduciary duty not just to understand how to p...Show more »

Music, marriage and religion, it's all a business. Even God passes the hat around. It is your fiduciary duty not just to understand how to play a minor chord but how to maximize your pay. Show less «

Some bands use a lot of tapes...U2? I'm sorry, it's a fucking tape. The great bands like Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin - what you see and w...Show more »

Some bands use a lot of tapes...U2? I'm sorry, it's a fucking tape. The great bands like Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin - what you see and what you hear is what these people are actually playing. Show less «

I would urge all bands that say they only care about credibility and don't care about money to send Gene Simmons every dollar that they don'...Show more »

I would urge all bands that say they only care about credibility and don't care about money to send Gene Simmons every dollar that they don't want. I'd be happy to take it off them. Show less «

No karaoke singers allowed. No fake bullshit. Leave that to Rihanna-Schmianna and everybody else whose name ends with an 'a.'

I think Barack Obama is actually a good guy. He has no fucking idea what the world is like because he doesn't have to live there.

Politicians trot out celebrities and rock stars to convince us they're worthy of the job, and we the masses, fall for it. Shame on us. Celeb...Show more »

Politicians trot out celebrities and rock stars to convince us they're worthy of the job, and we the masses, fall for it. Shame on us. Celebrities are morons, myself included. They should stick to what they do best. Act. Sing. Or burp. But keep the candidates clean of their stains. Show less «

I have never been high or drunk in my life.

It's very sad for new bands. My heart goes out to them. They just don't have a chance. If you play guitar, it's almost impossible. You're be...Show more »

It's very sad for new bands. My heart goes out to them. They just don't have a chance. If you play guitar, it's almost impossible. You're better off not even learning how to play guitar or write songs and just singing in the shower and auditioning for The X Factor (2011). Show less «

Where's the next Bob Dylan? Where's the next Beatles (The Beatles)? Where are the songwriters? Many of them now have to work behind the scen...Show more »

Where's the next Bob Dylan? Where's the next Beatles (The Beatles)? Where are the songwriters? Many of them now have to work behind the scenes, to prop up acts and write their stuff for them. Show less «

That beautiful idea in religion about the meek inheriting the earth is naiveté at its highest. The strong inherit the earth; the meek inher...Show more »

That beautiful idea in religion about the meek inheriting the earth is naiveté at its highest. The strong inherit the earth; the meek inherit shit. Show less «

People think that, in KISS, Paul and I are alike, as are Peter and Ace with each other. Bullshit. Paul and I are like black and white; there...Show more »

People think that, in KISS, Paul and I are alike, as are Peter and Ace with each other. Bullshit. Paul and I are like black and white; there's almost nothing we share an opinion on. I think Judge Dredd is one of the greatest movies ever made, and Paul think it's a piece of shit. The one guy in KISS that I have much in common with would be Peter. Show less «

I think Shakespeare (William Shakespeare) is shit. Absolute shit! The guy may have been a genius in his time, but I can't relate to it at al...Show more »

I think Shakespeare (William Shakespeare) is shit. Absolute shit! The guy may have been a genius in his time, but I can't relate to it at all. 'Thee, thou...' The guy sounds like a fairy. Show less «

David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie's 'Changes' and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me.

I think people should get over it and move on. He's our President and that's it, end of story.