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Gene Simmons

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 71.35.229.117 (talk) at 05:47, 27 November 2016 (Gene appears on the album under an alias). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the actress, see Jean Simmons. For the rockabilly singer, see Jumpin' Gene Simmons. For the mass murderer, see Ronald Gene Simmons.

Gene Simmons
Simmons in Los Angeles, California, on October 15, 2012
Simmons in Los Angeles, California, on October 15, 2012
Background information
Birth nameChaim Witz
Also known asThe Demon
Dr. Love
God of Thunder
Reginald Van Helsing
Born (1949-08-25) August 25, 1949 (age 75)
Tirat Carmel, Haifa, Israel
GenresHeavy metal, hard rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, entrepreneur, teacher, reality star, typist and assistant editor
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass guitar
Years active1963–present
Websitegenesimmons.com

Chaim Witz (Hebrew: חיים ויץ, [xaˈim ˈvit͡s], born August 25, 1949), known professionally as Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor and television personality. Also known by his stage persona The Demon, he is the bass guitarist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the rock band he co-founded with rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley in the early 1970s.

Biography

Early life

Chaim Witz was born at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel on August 25, 1949. At age 8, he emigrated to New York City with his mother. Simmons was raised in a Jewish household where he practised playing his guitar hours without end.[1] His mother, Flóra "Florence" Klein (formerly 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, Feri 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.

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 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

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 then joined a new band, Bullfrog Bheer, and the band recorded a demo, "Leeta"; this was later included on the Kiss box set.

Simmons formed the rock band 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 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 for a lead guitar player, and soon joined them. 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 came from the wing design of comic book character Black Bolt.[7]

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, had decided to leave the band, and a replacement was sought to fill the drummer's vacancy. The new drummer was Paul Charles Caravello, who went by the stage name of Eric Carr, and played for Kiss from 1980 until his death in 1991. The band hosted its own fan conventions in 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 1991 through 1996) replacing Peter Criss on drums.

Playing style

Gene is famous worldwide for his giant tongue and on stage is remarkable for his demonic figure by spitting fire and vomiting stage blood, in addition to playing his ax down on format. Has its own magazine "Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine", his own label (Simmons Record), animated " My Dad the Rock Star ". In most Kiss songs, lead vocals are performed by lead vocalist & rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, but there are some notable exceptions, in which Gene plays 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", "You Wanted the Best (First lead vocals)", among other songs in which Gene also performs lead vocals.

Stage makeup and persona

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 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.

Personal life

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, with Canadian former Playboy Playmate and actress Shannon Lee Tweed whom he had dated for 28 years.[10] He often joked that he and Tweed were "happily unmarried" for over 20 years (1975). He often stated, "Marriage is an institution, and I don't want to live in an institution." Simmons and Tweed finally wed on October 1, 2011, at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.[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 and Diana Ross.[13] Simmons can speak Hungarian, German, English, and Hebrew.[13]

Homecoming visit to Israel

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 to Israel. He has always 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

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 between 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 and criticized the 2009 health care reforms.[21] 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,"[22] 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 (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 in 2011, he stated that the artists refusing to perform in Israel for political reasons are "stupid," referring to artists who cancelled planned concerts in Israel.[24]

In an April 2012 interview, Simmons endorsed Republican Mitt Romney for President, stating as well 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 Defense Forces gala in Beverly Hills, which raised more than $31 million.[26]

Philanthropy

Gene Simmons is a known advocate for ChildFund International's work. He traveled to Zambia during his Gene Simmons Family Jewels show to visit several of his sponsored children, of whom he has more than 140.[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 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 in a bullet-ridden house. He recalled his mother's excitement when they received a CARE box one day; it wasn't about the contents, it was about knowing that someone cared and that they weren't alone – it gave them hope.[30]

Other projects

On August 15, 2013, Simmons, Paul Stanley and manager Doc McGhee became a part of the ownership group that created the LA Kiss Arena Football League team, which plays their home games at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Public statements and image

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 hit 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.[31] 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.[32]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 as "The Kiss" [33] 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, 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. He 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 Simmons' stereotyping of Muslims was inaccurate.[34] Simmons later clarified his comments on his website, saying he had been talking specifically about Muslim extremists.

In 2005, 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".[35] A settlement was reached in June 2006.[36]

In 2007, Simmons openly spoke out against music piracy, and called for file-sharers to be sued.[37] A year later, he threatened further lawsuits, and to withhold new recordings, if file-sharing continued. In 2010, Anonymous staged a DDoS on his Web site, 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.[38]

In 2008, a video on the Internet surfaced which purported to be Simmons engaging in sexual activity with an unnamed woman.[39] 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.[40]

  • 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 of Mötley Crüe.[41] Following his comments both Triple M and Power 97 stated that they were pulling all Kiss songs from their lineup in protest.[42] Simmons later clarified his comments and apologized for the incident.[41][43]

In September 2014, Simmons made more comments yet again in another interview, but this time implying "Rock Is Finally Dead. It Was Murdered". The Kiss bassist recently made controversial remarks about Donald Sterling, immigration and depression (which he eventually backed off from), and now the Kiss bassist has another enormous statement to make: "Rock is finally dead," Simmons declared in an interview with Esquire. "The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered," he added. But rock's killer wasn't the blurring of musical genres or lack of craftsmanship. Instead, Simmons blames file sharing and the fact that no one values music "enough to pay you for it" for murdering rock n' roll.[44]

Film and television career

Simmons has been involved with such television projects as:

On March 9, 2011, 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.[46] 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.[47] 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 thriller movie Runaway starring Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes and Kirstie Alley and the 1987 Gary Sherman movie Wanted: Dead or Alive starring Rutger Hauer.[48] In March 2015 founded the film production company Erebus Pictures[49] and announced as first project the Horror-thriller film Temple.[50]

Awards and recognition

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 in Dallas, Texas and a street, Gene Simmons Boulevard, was named for him. Simmons and Tweed also visited the U.S. Army base at 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.[51] On October 30, 2013 during the KISS KRUISE 3, KISS Navy members John and Jamie Downs presented Gene Simmons with a plaque commemorating the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's acceptance of an autographed 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." [52]

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 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.[53]

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).[54]

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, 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[55] 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

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".
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[56] 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
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 $32,000 for a charity
2001 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart[57] 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 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 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[58] 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 Simmons appeared as a psychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice, California
2010 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Episode 160 As Himself 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
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 (2016 TBS TV Series) S1 Ep9: Himself

Video games

Year Video Game Role
2014 Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff Himself

Music video appearances

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 This" 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

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. 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

Publishing career

In 2002, Simmons launched Gene Simmons' Tongue, a men's lifestyle magazine.[59] The magazine lasted five issues before being discontinued.

Other ventures

In 1976/1977, Simmons signed a management/production contract with the band Van Halen. He produced a Van Halen demo tape and attempted to find a record deal for the band with a variety of major record labels. Simmons was unable to find a record deal for Van Halen and he released the band from their contract.

From 2006–2008, Simmons served in a marketing and publicity role with the Indy Racing League.[60]

Published works

  • Me, Inc.: Build an Army of One, Unleash Your Inner Rock God, Win in Life and Business , Gene Simmons (ISBN 0-062-32261-3)
  • 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 978-0-446-69524-4)
  • Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World, Gene Simmons (ISBN 1-59777-501-0)

References

  1. ^ Martin, Dale (October 4, 1998). "KISS army continues to grow". The Victoria Advocate. pp. 10D. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  2. ^ boards.aetv.com, Message Board – AETV Community – Real Life, drama. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  3. ^ "Gene Simmons' Mom, the Holocaust, and Me". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Associated, The (March 22, 2011). "Lead singer of Kiss Gene Simmons slams Israel boycotters". Haaretz. Israel. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  5. ^ Lewis, Barbara (June 4, 1978). "Gene Simmons Was Sixth Grade Teacher". The Lakeland Ledger. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Crandall, Bill. 10 musicians who saw the Beatles standing there. CBS News, February 6, 2014.
  7. ^ KISS bassist Gene Simmons said on an episode of his television show 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 Gene Simmons Family Jewels – Under the Knife? – Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010 – mReplay Livedash TV Transcript – Livedash – Search what is being mentioned across national TV. Livedash. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  8. ^ "Gene Simmons: 60s Fanzine Publisher", October 2008
  9. ^ Simmons, Gene. "Letter" Janus 8 (Vol 3, No. 2); Janice Bogstad & Jeanne Gomoll, eds., 1977; p. 15
  10. ^ a b c McFliker, Todd (October 14, 2013). "Gene Simmons of KISS: My Dad the Rock Star". Fatherhood Channel. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  11. ^ "Gene Simmons is married". The People. October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  12. ^ "Gene Simmons and long term girlfriend marry". MSN – Wonderwall. October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  13. ^ a b Biography. GeneSimmons.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  14. ^ Josef Federman. "AP Interview: Simmons blasts Israel boycotters". Yahoo!.
  15. ^ Late Night Rocker (March 31, 2011). "Kiss Mask Webzine: Meet Gene Simmons' Brother and Sisters". Kissmaskwebzine.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  16. ^ Brinn, David (March 23, 2011). "Kiss rocker Gene Simmons back in Israel after 51 years". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  17. ^ Gene Simmons in Israel / ג'ין סימונס בישראל on YouTube
  18. ^ News. GeneSimmons.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  19. ^ a b News. GeneSimmons.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  20. ^ "Gene Simmons hails Israeli soldier". The Washington Post. Associated Press. August 26, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  21. ^ Gavin, Patrick (December 6, 2010). "Gene Simmons Knocks President Obama". The Politico. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  22. ^ Remarks by the President on the Middle East and North Africa, Barack Obama, The White House, May 19, 2011
  23. ^ Ben Gedalyahu, Tzvi (May 22, 2011). "Video of Rock Star Gene Simmons: Obama Doesn't Have a Clue". Israel National News. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  24. ^ "ג'ין סימונס: "היוצרים מחרימי ישראל – טיפשים"". YNet. March 23, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  25. ^ "Kiss Frontman Gene Simmons Voices Support For Mitt Romney, Regrets Voting For Obama In '08". Mediaite. April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  26. ^ http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Star-studded-LA-fundraiser-rakes-in-31-million-for-IDF-432285
  27. ^ "KISS Icon Gene Simmons Brightens Lives of Sponsored Children". childfund.org. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  28. ^ "ChildFund Partners with Gene Simmons Family Jewels". childfund.org. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  29. ^ "Mel Gibson Presents Gene Simmons With Charity Award". Look to the Stars. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "Terry Gross interview with Gene Simmons". Internet Archive. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  32. ^ "The Unpredictable Gene Simmons". NPR. August 31, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  33. ^ Branch, Chris. "Gene Simmons Calls NPR's Terry Gross 'Arrogant And Insulting'". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  34. ^ "Outrage as KISS player mouths off on Muslims". Sydney Morning Herald, May 14, 2004
  35. ^ KISS Singer's Motion to Dismiss Defamation Suit Denied. Law.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  36. ^ Kiss's Gene Simmons Settles Defamation Suit by Ex-Girlfriend – Music | Songs | Country | Rap. FOXNews.com (June 28, 2006). Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  37. ^ "Billboard Q&A: Gene Simmons". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  38. ^ "Gene Simmons vs. Anonymous: Who's the bigger tool?". Ars Technica. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  39. ^ "KISS and Tell: Simmons Sex Tape Goes Viral". The Age (Australia), 2008-02-22.
  40. ^ "Gene Simmons to Sex Site: Suck My Copyright!". TMZ.com. TMZ. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  41. ^ a b "Gene Simmons' Depression and Suicide Comments Anger Nikki Sixx". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  42. ^ O'Neal, Sean. "Gene Simmons continues asshole tour by telling depressed people to kill themselves". The AV Club. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  43. ^ "Gene Simmons sorry for 'spur of the moment' remarks about mental illness". Guardian. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  44. ^ "Gene Simmons: 'Rock Is Finally Dead. It Was Murdered'". yahoo.com. September 7, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  45. ^ Gene Simmons Family Jewels – A&E TV. Aetv.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  46. ^ > News > Kissonline.com; News. Kissonline.Com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  47. ^ "Gene Simmons poses as psychic for US prank show". January 7, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  48. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094293/
  49. ^ "WWE and Gene Simmons Launch Genre Label; First Film Project Announced – Temple". Dread Central. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  50. ^ "If Gene Simmons and WWE's 'Temple' Is Good, I'll Eat This Article!". Bloody Disgusting. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  51. ^ ‘Revolver’ Golden Gods Awards Winners Announced!. revolvermag.com. April-16-2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  52. ^ 11/04/2013 kissonline.com
  53. ^ http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/gene-simmons/ Retrieved January 13, 2014
  54. ^ "El bajista de Kiss recibirá el lunes la medalla de oro del Reial Cercle Artístic". LA VANGUARDIA. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  55. ^ "Gene Simmons To Appear In 'Extract' Film". Blabbermouth.net. May 3, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
  56. ^ "Planet MADtv – Episode No. 406 (Aired October 31, 1998)". Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  57. ^ "The Daily Show-Gene Simmons". Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  58. ^ "Gene Simmons to judge Burnett's 'Jingles'". Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  59. ^ Tongue is cheeky / Kiss' Gene Simmons combines sex, showmanship in his men's magazine. Sfgate.com (August 28, 2002). Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  60. ^ "IRL Forms Innovative Marketing Agreement With Gene Simmons & Richard Abramson". GeneSimmons.com. January 10, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
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