Gene Simmons
Background information
Born	August 25, 1949 (1949-08-25) (age 58) Haifa, Israel
Genre(s)	Hard rock, Heavy metal
Instrument(s)	Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Drums
Years active	1970 — present
Associated acts	Kiss
Website	Official Gene Simmons Website Official KISS Website

Chaim Witz (חיים וויץ), (born August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel), better known by his stage name Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American hard rock bass guitarist and vocalist. He is best known as "The Demon", his blood-spitting, fire-breathing, and tongue-wagging persona in the hard rock band Kiss, an act which he co-founded in the early 1970's. is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Israel. ... Hebrew חֵיפָה Arabic حَيْفَا Founded in 3rd century CE Government City District Haifa Population 267,000 1,039,000 (metropolitan area) Jurisdiction 63,666 dunams (63. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Hard rock is a variation of rock and roll music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and psychedelic rock. ... Heavy metal (sometimes referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, or using a pick. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The present is the time that is perceived directly, not as a recollection or a speculation. ... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Hebrew חֵיפָה Arabic حَيْفَا Founded in 3rd century CE Government City District Haifa Population 267,000 1,039,000 (metropolitan area) Jurisdiction 63,666 dunams (63. ... A stage name, also called a screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, comedians, musicians, djs, clowns, and professional wrestlers. ... A Jewish American (also commonly American Jew) is an American (a citizen of the United States) of Jewish descent or religion who maintains a connection to the Jewish community, either through actively practicing Judaism or through cultural and historical affiliation. ... Hard rock is a variation of rock and roll music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and psychedelic rock. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, or using a pick. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. ... Events and trends Although in the United States and in many other Western societies the 1970s are often seen as a period of transition between the turbulent 1960s and the more conservative 1980s and 1990s, many of the trends that are associated widely with the Sixties, from the Sexual Revolution...

Biography

In 1953 at the age of four, Simmons immigrated to New York City with his mother Florence Klein—a Jewish Hungarian immigrant and the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. His father, Feri Witz, had abandoned his family years earlier. When Simmons was young, (as he has discussed on Gene Simmons Family Jewels, a reality-based television program on the American cable network A&E), his mother's long absences while working two jobs in order to make ends meet left emotional scars which left him with a strong desire for wealth. After arriving in the U.S., he took the name Eugene Klein (later Gene Klein, Klein being his mother's maiden name). In the late-1960s, he changed his name again, to Gene Simmons. He has cited Lon Chaney Sr. as one of his favorite actors.^[1] Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... For other uses, see Jew (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Holocaust (disambiguation) and Shoah (disambiguation). ... Gene Simmons Family Jewels is an American reality television series that premiered on A&E on August 7, 2006. ... Coaxial cable is often used to transmit cable television into the house. ... Biography is one of A&Es longest-running and most popular programs. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and appeal to a wider international audience, this article may require cleanup. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera Lon Chaney, Sr. ...

Simmons became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed The Missing Links, when he was a teenager. Eventually he disbanded The Missing Links to form the Long Island Sounds. While he played in these bands, he kept up odd jobs on the side to make more money, including making fanzines and buying used comic books. Gene then attended Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, New York. He then joined a new band Bullfrog Beer, and the band made a demo, "Leeta", which was eventually released on the KISS box set in demo form. A fanzine (see also: zine) is a nonprofessional publication produced by fans of a particular subject for the pleasure of others who share their interest. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Sullivan County Community College is a two-year public community college sponsored by the State University of New York SUNY and Sullivan County, New York. ... Loch Sheldrake is a hamlet in the Town of Fallsburg, New York in Sullivan County, New York. ... “NY” redirects here. ... A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. ... A box set (sometimes referred to as a boxed set) is one or more musical recordings, films, television programs, or other collection of related things that are contained in a box. ...

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, Simmons and Stanley sought out other musicians and eventually joined up with drummer George Peter John Criscuola and lead guitarist Paul Daniel Frehley — who would become Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, respectively. Wicked Lester was New York-based rock and roll group formed in 1970. ... Stanley Harvey Eisen (born January 20, 1952, Queens, New York) known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American Hard rock guitarist and vocalist for the rock band Kiss. ... Peter Criss (born George Peter John Criscuola on December 20, 1945), is an American musician best known as co-founder, drummer, vocalist for the rock band KISS. Peter Criss established the cat character for his KISS persona. ... Paul Daniel Frehley, (born April 27, 1951[1]), better known as Ace Frehley, is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. ...

When Simmons and Stanley attempted to fire their old band members, they 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 Peter Criscuola, who was playing clubs in Brooklyn at the time; they joined and started out as a trio. Paul 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 and has continued to perform, with Stanley as lead performer on stage and Simmons being the driving force behind the extensive KISS merchandising franchise. Since its 1974 debut, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have remained consistent in the band as KISS underwent numerous line-up changes. Epic Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony BMG. // Epic was launched originally as a jazz and classical music label in 1953 by CBS. Its bright-yellow, black and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. ... Peter Criss (born George Peter John Criscuola--pronounced Chris-cola-- on December 20, 1945), is an American musician best known as co-founder, drummer, vocalist for the rock band KISS. Peter Criss established the cat character for his KISS persona. ... Paul Daniel Frehley (born April 27, 1951[1]), better known as Ace Frehley, is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. ... This is a trivia section. ... The rock band KISS is known not only for its pyrotechnic stage act but its relentless licensing of merchandising. ... Stanley Harvey Eisen (born January 20, 1952, Queens, New York) known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American Hard rock guitarist and vocalist for the rock band Kiss. ... This is a trivia section. ...

In 1983, while KISS's fame was waning, the members took off their trademark make-up and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity that continued into the 1990s. The band hosted their own fan conventions throughout 1995, and fan feedback about the original KISS members reunited influenced the highly successful 1996-1997 Alive Worldwide reunion tour. In 1998, the band released Psycho Circus, its first album in almost 20 years by the original line-up. 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. Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

Simmons currently lives in Beverly Hills, California with longtime partner and former Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed (Gene opposes marriage). They have two children: a son, Nicholas (b. 22 January 1989), and a daughter, Sophie (b. 7 July 1992). They appear with him on their reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E. Simmons also has another child: first born son Christoper Ashley Simmons (b. 17 June 1977) who resides in Malibu, California. His mother is playmate Jacqueline Anderson and he bears a striking resemblance to his biological father. Nickname: Location of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country United States State California County Los Angeles Government  - Mayor Jimmy Delshad  - Vice Mayor Barry Brucker  - City Manager Roderick J. Wood Area  - City 14. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Shannon Lee Tweed (born March 10, 1957, St. ... Gene Simmons Family Jewels is an American reality television series that premiered on A&E on August 7, 2006. ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Gene Simmons Family Jewels is an American reality television series that premiered on A&E on August 7, 2006. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Reality television is a genre of television programming in which the fortunes of real life people (as opposed to fictional characters played by actors) are followed. ... Gene Simmons Family Jewels is an American reality television series that premiered on A&E on August 7, 2006. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ...

Film and Television

Simmons has been the creative force behind such television projects such 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 Simmons on the Oxygen cable television channel.

• Rock School, a reality show in which Gene tries to make a rock band out of a group of children trained in classical music in the first season, and in the second, a group of kids from a 'tough' comprehensive school. Rock School was aired on Channel 4 in the UK, Channel Ten in Australia, TVNZ's TV2 in New Zealand, VH-1 in the United States and Latin America,Nelonen in Finland, TV4 in Sweden and Much Music in Canada.

• Gene Simmons Family Jewels, another reality show for A&E which debuted on August 7, 2006. The premise is essentially the same as The Osbournes, with cameras following Simmons and his family around to document their home life. It has been released on DVD in two editions.

Gene Simmons in a scene from Rock School.

• Simmons and the rest of KISS appeared in an episode of Action League Now as toy versions of themselves performing the song "Rock and Roll All Nite".

• Simmons has also appeared on three episodes of Family Guy as himself. In one episode, Peter Griffin takes his wife Lois to a KISS concert gala, and it is revealed that Gene Simmons had a previous sexual relationship with Lois (known then as "Loose Lois") when he was still known as Chaim Witz. In another episode, Simmons is shown starring with the other members of KISS in a Christmas special called KISS Saves Santa. In yet another episode, Simmons performs oral sex (off-camera) on Lois while standing just inside the Griffin's garage, an exaggeration of his trademark tongue length (several feet long in the episode) and his highly sexual persona.

• Simmons has made guest appearances on TV shows such as Miami Vice, Mind of Mencia, Third Watch, American Idol, and others.

• Simmons co-starred as evil electronics genius Dr.Charles Luther in the 1984 movie Runaway opposite Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes and Kirstie Alley.

• Simmons had a small part in the 1986 horror film Trick or Treat, where he played a radio DJ named Nuke. Ozzy Osbourne also appeared in the film as a televangelist decrying the evils of heavy metal music.

• Simmons played the part of a villainous drag queen named Velvet Von Ragner in the 1986 film "Never Too Young To Die"

• Simmons also co-starred as the Islamic terrorist Malak Al Rahim in the 1987 Rutger Hauer movie Wanted: Dead or Alive.

• Simmons also co-starred with other bandmates in the 1978 TV movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park.

This article contains a trivia section. ... Nelvana Limited is a Canadian entertainment company, founded in 1971, that is well-known for its work in childrens animation, among many things. ... Mr. ... Oxygen is an American cable television channel. ... Rock School (also known as Gene Simmons Rock School) is a British reality TV series starring Gene Simmons (from the band KISS), in which he has a short time to turn a class of school children into a fully fledged rock band, at the end of which they must perform... A Comprehensive school is a type of school providing secondary level education in England or Wales. ... Gene Simmons Family Jewels is an American reality television series that premiered on A&E on August 7, 2006. ... Biography is one of A&Es longest-running and most popular programs. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Osbournes was an Emmy Award-winning American reality television program broadcast by MTV in the U.S., by CTV in Canada, Channel 4 in the UK and MTV UK and Ireland in Ireland and the UK, RTÉ Two in Ireland, Network Ten, MTV Australia in Australia and TV2 in... Image File history File links Gene Simmons in a scene from the TV-series Rock School. ... Image File history File links Gene Simmons in a scene from the TV-series Rock School. ... Rock School (also known as Gene Simmons Rock School) is a British reality TV series starring Gene Simmons (from the band KISS), in which he has a short time to turn a class of school children into a fully fledged rock band, at the end of which they must perform... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. ... Action League Now! is a television series that was originally part of All That and KaBlam! on Nickelodeon, and was later spun off into its own show. ... Family Guy is an Emmy award winning American animated television series about a nuclear family in the fictional town of Quahog (IPA or ), Rhode Island. ... Peter Löwenbräu Griffin is the protagonist in the American animated television series Family Guy. ... Lois Pewterschmidt-Griffin is a cartoon character on the TV show Family Guy by Seth MacFarlane. ... Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... Oral sex consists of all sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, which may include use of the tongue, teeth, and throat, to stimulate genitalia. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mind of Mencia is an American television comedy show on the cable channel Comedy Central. ... Third Watch is an NBC television drama set in New York City that ran from 1999 to 2005. ... AMERICAN IDOL HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO DEATH OF SIMON ... // Events The Walt Disney Company founds Touchstone Pictures to release movies with subject matter deemed inappropriate for the Disney name. ... Runaway is a 1984 action film starring Tom Selleck, Gene Simmons and Cynthia Rhodes. ... Thomas William Selleck (born January 29, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan) is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning American actor, screenwriter and film producer, best known for his starring role on the long-running television show Magnum P.I.. // Born in Detroit to Slovak-Rusyn[1] father Robert Selleck and... Cynthia Rhodes (born November 21, 1956 in Nashville, Tennessee) is an American actor, singer and dancer. ... Kirstie Louise Alley (born January 12, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas) is an American actress best known for her role in the TV show Cheers. ... Trick or Treat is a 1986 horror film by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment, starring Marc Price (of “Family Ties”), Tony Fields, and Lisa Orgolini, with special appearances by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne. ... Ozzy Osbourne (born John Michael Osbourne, December 3, 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, England) is the lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, a popular solo artist, and the star of the reality show, The Osbournes. ... Rutger Oelsen Hauer (IPA: [rʏtxɛr ulsɛn hʌuɛr]) (born in Breukelen, January 23, 1944) is a Dutch film actor. ...

Music industry production

• KEEL - the 1980s albums The Right To Rock and The Final Frontier by the hard rock band fronted by Ron Keel
• Wendy O. Williams - Gene produced her W.O.W. album in 1984, and enlisted fellow Kiss members Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent to perform on it as well.
• Black N Blue - He produced their albums Nasty Nasty (1986) and In Heat (1988) featuring future Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer.
• EZO - A Japanese band which achieved fame in Japan as Flatbacker. Simmons brought them to North American show business, changing their name to "EZO". He produced their first and self titled album as EZO, in 1988.
• Silent Rage - produced Don't Touch Me There (1989) cd with Paul Sabu; released on Simmons' own Simmons Records.
• House of Lords - Executive producer of their 1990 cd Sahara; their self-titled debut and Sahara were released on Simmons Records.
• Doro Pesch - In her album called Doro in 1991.

Keel was a heavy-metal music band in the 1980s. ... The Right to Rock is the second studio album by Hard Rock band Keel. ... The Final Frontier is a 1986 album by the Heavy Metal band Keel. ... Ron Keel (born 1961) is a Heavy Metal vocalist and guitarist for a number of bands from from the 1980s to the modern day. ... Wendy O. Williams W.O.W. album, produced by Gene Simmons in 1984. ... Eric Carr (1950-1991) was the drummer in KISS from 1980 until his death in 1991. ... Vincent John Cusano, stage name Vinnie Vincent (born August 6, 1952, in Bridgeport, Connecticut), is a guitarist and songwriter most famous for his brief membership in the band KISS. Vincent played lead guitar on the album Creatures of the Night and subsequently toured with KISS in Ankh Warrior makeup. ... Black N Blue was a glam metal band featuring singer Jaime St. ... Nasty Nasty is Black N Blues third album. ... The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; originally derived from Latin oestrus) refers to the recurring physiologic changes that are induced by reproductive hormones in most mammalian placental females; humans and some primates, bats, and shrews are the only mammals who undergo a menstrual cycle instead. ... Tommy Thayer (born November 7, 1960 in Portland, Oregon) is the current lead guitarist of the rock group Kiss. ... Ezo is a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan. ... Born January 2, 1957 Extreme Musician Credited Production on fourteen platinum and eleven gold records. ... House of Lords is a hard rock band from Los Angeles and is the final incarnation of Giuffria, managed by Gene Simmons Gene Simmons signed Giuffria to his record label Simmons Records, but insisted they get rid of original vocalist David Glen Eisley, who would be replaced by James Christian. ... For other variations of Doro, see Doro. ...

Controversy

• A February 4, 2002 interview on the NPR radio show Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Gene Simmons said to 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," to which Gross replied, "That's a really obnoxious thing to say." Simmons refused to grant permission to NPR to make the interview available online on the station's website. However, the interview appears in Gross's book All I Did Was Ask (ISBN 1401300103), and some unauthorized transcripts are also available.^[2]

• In 2004, during an interview in Melbourne, Australia, Simmons described Islam as a "vile culture" wherein women literally had fewer rights than dogs. He described Muslims as a threat, claiming that they wanted to leave the Middle East and supplant non-Muslims in other parts of the world by force. The Muslim community took offense, with Australian Muslim of the year Susan Carland asserting that Simmons' stereotyping of Muslims was inaccurate and that she never walked behind her husband as Simmons stated all Muslim women were required to do. He later said on his website that he was specifically talking about extremist muslims.^[3]

• In 2005, Simmons was sued by a former lover, Georgeann Walsh Ward, who alleged that she had been "defamed" in the VH1 documentary When Kiss Ruled the World, which she claimed portrayed her as an "unchaste woman" and implied that she had been merely a band groupie, rather than a committed girlfriend of Simmons. Ward insisted that she had been involved in an "exclusive monogamous relationship" with Simmons since before Kiss was formed.^[4] The suit was settled as of June 29, 2006.^[5]

is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... “NPR” redirects here. ... For the Scottish student radio station, see Fresh Air (Edinburgh). ... Terry Gross (born 1951) is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview format radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by National Public Radio. ... Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Georgeann Walsh Ward is a former girlfriend of KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who made worldwide headlines with her 2005 lawsuit against him. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994) is an American cable television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently part of the MTV Networks division... A groupie is a person who, while he/she may be a fan at some level, seeks intimacy (most often physical, sometimes emotional) with a famous person. ... is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Solo albums

• Gene Simmons (1978)
• Sex Money Kiss (audiobook CD, 2003)
• Asshole (2004)
• Speaking in Tongues (spoken word CD, 2004)
• Gene Simmons "Monster" Box Set (expected 2007)
• Naji (TBA)

Gene Simmons is a 1978 solo album from the bass player of American hard rock band KISS. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of KISS on September 18, 1978. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Asshole is the second solo album release by Gene Simmons. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

DVD

• Speaking In Tongues 2004
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels DVD box set 2006
• My Dad the Rock Star

Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article contains a trivia section. ...

Further reading

• 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)

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Gene Simmons

• GeneSimmons.com, Simmons' official website
• Gene Simmons at the Internet Movie Database
• 2007 Gene Simmons Interview with AllHipHop.com
• Almost Human
• Interview with Gene Simmons
• Audio - February 4, 2002 interview by Terry Gross with Gene Simmons on Fresh Air: Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4
• Simmons Interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos