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Gene SimmonsIsraeli-American rock musician, singer and actor
Date of Birth: 25.08.1949
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Gene Simmons
- Musical Beginnings
- Formation of Kiss
- International Fame and Commercial Success
- Post-Reunion Era and Other Projects
- Political Views and Personal Life
Gene Simmons
Early Life and FamilyChaim Witz, born on August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel, immigrated to New York City at age eight with his mother, Florence Klein.Florence and her brother, Larry Klein, were the only members of their family to survive the Holocaust. His father, Feri Witz, did not accompany the family to the U.S.
Simmons' mother worked two jobs to make ends meet, leaving him with a strong desire to escape poverty and become wealthy and famous. Upon arriving in the States, he changed his name to Eugene Klein (later Gene Klein), adopting the surname Simmons in the late '60s after rock and roll legend Jumpin' Gene Simmons.
Musical Beginnings
Simmons began playing in a band as a teenager.The group first went by the name "Lynx" before changing to "The Missing Links." Eventually, Simmons disbanded the group and formed "The Long Island Sounds."
With music still not providing a financial income, Simmons worked side hustles, creating fanzines and selling used comic books. He briefly attended Sullivan County Community College before joining "Bullfrog Bheer" and recording a demo called "Leeta," which would later be incorporated into Kiss's repertoire.
Formation of Kiss
In the early '70s, Simmons co-founded the glam rock band "Wicked Lester" with Stanley Harvey Eisen (later Paul Stanley), recording an album that went unreleased.Dissatisfied with the band's image and sound, Simmons and Stanley attempted to "spice up" the group, but met with resistance from other members. They subsequently left "Wicked Lester" and severed ties with Epic Records.
Determined to create an uncompromising rock band, Simmons and Stanley sought a drummer and found Peter Criss through a newspaper ad. Soon after, Paul Frehley joined as the lead guitarist. The quartet released their self-titled debut album in February 1974.
International Fame and Commercial Success
Simmons became the driving force behind Kiss's outrageous stage antics while Stanley took on the role of frontman.The band quickly gained notoriety for their elaborate costumes, makeup, and pyrotechnics. By the late 1970s, Kiss was one of the biggest live acts in the world, selling millions of records and merchandising.
Despite a decline in popularity in the early '80s, Kiss removed their makeup in the mid-'90s and experienced a resurgence of interest. Throughout 1995, the band hosted fan conventions, exciting fans who were eager to see them back together. A reunion tour followed from 1996 to 1997.
Post-Reunion Era and Other Projects
In 1998, Kiss released "Psycho Circus," their first album in over 20 years with the original lineup.Since then, the original lineup has broken up and reunited only once, with Tommy Thayer replacing lead guitarist Ace Frehley and Eric Singer (who had previously performed with Kiss from 1992 to 1996) taking over the drums from Peter Criss.
Outside of Kiss, Simmons has been the creative force behind television shows such as "My Dad the Rock Star," "Mr. Romance," "Rock School," and "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," a documentary series following his personal life. In 2007, he appeared in the music video for Nickelback's "Rockstar."
Political Views and Personal Life
A self-proclaimed liberal, Simmons has also expressed support for the foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration.He supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, writing on his website that he "was ashamed to be among those who call themselves liberals but spit on the graves of valiant American soldiers who are giving their lives in a faraway war... in a land they have never stepped foot in... because we fight to free the people who live there.
Later clarifying his stance, Simmons wrote of his love and support for the United States: "I was not born here. But my love for this country and its people is boundless. I will be forever in debt to America, which went into World War II, a war fought on distant shores... and saved my mother from a Nazi death camp. She and I are alive because of America. So if you have a problem with America, you have a problem with me."
During the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Simmons delivered a televised message (in both English and Hebrew) expressing support for an Israeli soldier who had been critically injured during a battle in Lebanon, calling him a "hero."
Simmons has never married and resides in Beverly Hills with his longtime partner, former Playboy playmate Shannon Tweed.They have two children, son Nick Tweed-Simmons and daughter Sophie Simmons. The musician is proficient in four languages: English, Hungarian, Hebrew, and German. He also studies Japanese and Chinese. Simmons claims to have never taken drugs, drunk alcohol, or smoked.
