Biography for
Gene Simmons (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

25 August 1949, Tirat Carmel, Israel

Birth Name

Chaim Witz

Nickname

Gene the Nazarene (from a former road manager who once worked for KISS)
Genie

Height

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Mini Biography

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 Haifa, Israel in August, 1949 of Hungarian background and 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 it's 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 (1986) and Red Surf (1990) 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", "Millenium" and most recently in "Third Watch".

IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Trade Mark

The Demon makeup worn from 1973-1983 then from 1996 to present.

The axe-shaped bass guitar.

His tongue.

Spike platform boots, flame-shaped afro, and spiked armor plating.

Sunglasses

Deep voice

Trivia

Co-founder of the famous hard-rock group, KISS, famous for outrageous antics and kabuki-like make-up.

Prior to forming KISS, Gene Simmons was an elementary school teacher.

Dated singer Diana Ross.

Lived with Cher for several years.

Dated Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann.

Has lived with model/actress Shannon Tweed since 1986, but they've never married. Simmons has said that while he respects the rights of those who choose to marry, it's not something he ever plans to do; specifically, he doesn't feel man by nature is meant to be in a monogamous relationship. "The only thing wrong with marriage is that one of the persons involved is a man," he often says.

Has a son, Nick Simmons (b. 1989), and a daughter, Sophie Simmons (b. 1992), with Shannon Tweed.

Eddie Van Halen once begged Gene and Paul Stanley to let him join KISS, during a time when his band, Van Halen, was having problems. Van Halen played guitar in a session for KISS, and, according to Simmons, impressed them with his use of synthesizers. Simmons eventually told Van Halen that despite his feelings about working with David Lee Roth, he should stick things out since his musical abilities would never be fully recognized within KISS' style.

Was once in a band called Bullfrog Beer. Other pre-KISS bands he was a member of include Coffee, the Long Island Sounds, and Wicked Lester (with Paul Stanley).

Once considered becoming a rabbi.

Designer of the axe shaped bass guitar.

There is a KISS tribute band in Seattle called Gene's Addiction.

Produced many acts in the 1980s, including Keel, Wendy O' Williams, EZO, and Black and Blue.

Discovered Van Halen in 1977 and produced the demo that got them signed to Warner Brothers Records. Unfortunately, Simmons had to release them from their contract when he couldn't convince anyone at WB of the band's potential. Bill Aucoin, then-manager of Kiss, told Simmons he didn't think Van Halen would have any commercial success (Van Halen's debut self-titled album went platinum, and their famous 1984 album has sold more than 10 million copies and has been certified diamond).

Publisher of the magazine 'Tongue' since late 2001. Is currently working on a KISS brand of condoms, among other things. Most of his post-KISS career will be concentrated on producing feature films and creating new KISS merchandise.

Launches fashion label, "Gene Simmons - Dragonfly" [August 2002]

With KISS no longer occupying his time, Gene has a number of ventures he's turned to: resurrecting his record label, $immons Records, acting in and producing feature films, starting up his own Women of Wrestling league (with a W.O.W. magazine and clothing line to follow), creating his own radio talk show, and possibly even going on the lecture circuit.

Gave Elijah Allman (Cher's son) his first guitar at age 11.

Claims to have slept with over 4,600 women.

Has never drank alcohol, used drugs or smoked

Once played in a band called Cathedral, several years before forming KISS. Among the names the band considered before settling on KISS in 1973 were Albatross, The Crimson Harpoon and F**k. Paul Stanley was the band member who suggested KISS.

Is the founder of Simmons Publishing, which publishes books and magazines.

When Simmons' came to America, his name was changed from Chaim Witz to Gene Klein. He later decided to use "Gene Simmons" for professional purposes.

He is the son of Hungarian Jews. His mother, Florence, is a Holocaust survivor. In his book "Sex Money KISS", Simmons wrote that his grandmother willingly went into a gas chamber with his great-grandmother because she didn't want her mother to have to die alone. Simmons' mother is the only member of her entire family to survive the Holocaust. She managed to survive partly due to her skills as a hairdresser (a wife of one of the Nazi German officer liked how she did hair and had her kept around to be her hairstylist).

Even though his father left the family when Simmons was a child, once he became rich he felt an obligation to buy both of his parents homes and provide them with financially worry-free lifestyles.

He has one non-negotiable condition for anyone interested in signing with his record label Simmons Records: No Drugs.

Is 'The Demon' In The Hard Rock Band, KISS

Shares a birthday with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford and current Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell.

Once said he bought a ticket to one of his own shows, then walked in completely out of makeup and character, and took his seat. Nobody knew who he was.

His famous tongue has been measured at over 7 inches long.

Is one of the top fire-breathers in the world. The world record is a 27 feet flame. Gene can hit 15 feet.

Simmons, in terms of political views, describes himself as neither Democrat nor Republican, but voting based on the issues. While he supports a woman's right to abortion, the environment and church/state separation, he supported Bush in 2004 because he agreed with Bush's foreign policy stands.

Earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Richmond College in Staten Island, New York.

Taught 6th grade at PS 75 in Spanish Harlem.

He has a business partner named Rich Abramson. Their company is known as Simmons Abramson Marketing.

Speaks Hungarian, Hebrew, German, Japanese and, of course, English.

Was offered the role of Nick Hurley in Flashdance, but turned it down due to his agenda with KISS.

Before forming Kiss he played in bands called Cathedral, Bullfrog Beer, Coffee, The Long Island Sounds, and Wicked Lester. This last one had another future Kiss member, Paul Stanley.

Prides himself on living his life like an open book. Said that when he gets into a relationship with a woman, one of the first things he does is show her his infamous book, which contains photos of the countless women he's been with. This is done so that a prospective girlfriend sees what he's about and so that there are no secrets from his side of the relationship.

In his autobiography Kiss and Makeup, said that his mother is primarily the reason why he has never used drugs. He decided years ago that she'd already been through enough having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, and he didn't want to break her heart by becoming a drug addict.

Good friends with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.

Grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens.

Lives in Beverly Hills, California.

K.I.S.S. was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Personal Quotes

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 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.

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.

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.'

"When you walk through a bad neighborhood, you don't want a poodle by your side. You want a Rottweiler." on why he was voting for Bush in 2004.

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 them being anything less, that's why!

[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.

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!

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? (On Radiohead's plan in 2007 to let fans choose how much to pay for their new album)

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 cemetery at the back of our houses where we bury them.

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