Gene Simmons

Tongue-wagging rocker Gene Simmons was born as Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel. When Simmons was eight years old, he and his mother, a holocaust survivor, immigrated to New York City. Once in the U.S., Simmons changed his name to Gene Klein. In the late 60s, Simmons changed his name again to Gene Simmons, as he felt that Klein (his mother’s maiden name) didn’t have enough of a ring to it.

As a teenager, Simmons joined his first band, Lynx, which was later renamed The Missing Links. He eventually left the band to join another one called Long Island Sounds, and worked odd jobs on the side in the meantime. While attending Sullivan County Community College in Fallsburg, New York, Simmons hooked up with another band, Bullfrog Bheer, which released a demo called Leeta which would later appear on the KISS box set.

After earning a Bachelor of Education degree, Simmons taught sixth grade in Spanish Harlem, New York City. He then worked as an assistant to the director of the Puerto Rican InterAgency Council, as well as working as an assistant to the editor of Vogue magazine.

In the early 70s, Simmons formed the rock band Wicked Lester, along with Stanley Eisen, also known as Paul Stanley of KISS, and recorded one album. They were soon joined by drummer Peter Criscuola, later known as Peter Criss, and lead guitarist, Paul Frehley, who later became Ace Frehley. After a few more band member changes, Wicked Lester reemerged as KISS, releasing their self-titled debut album in February of 1974. For the rest of the decade, KISS would captivate teens and terrify parents with their outrageously sinister painted faces and elaborate costumes. With concerts that featured over-the-top special effects such as smoke bombs, dry ice, blood spitting, and fire breathing; KISS became an absolute must-see live. In 1983, KISS shed their makeup for an appearance on MTV, and released an accompanying album sans makeup, Lick It Up.

On bass and vocals, Simmons quickly emerged as the most theatrically sinister of the group during live shows; drooling stage blood and leering at the camera. Simmons has since kept up his reputation to shock audiences well into the millennium, which was especially evident during a 2002 interview on NPR radio show, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Simmons was quoted as suggesting that the host welcome him "with open legs," amongst other explicit statements.

Simmons has been involved in long-term relationships with such divas as Cher and Diana Ross, and claims to have slept with over 4,600 women. He is currently in a relationship with Shannon Tweed, his partner of twenty-three years. The couple has two children: a son, Nicholas (born in 1989), and a daughter, Sophie (born in 1992).

In addition to music, Simmons has also worked as a movie producer and actor, appearing in such films as Runaway in 1984, with Tom Selleck and Kirstie Alley; Trick Or Treat in 1986, with Ozzy Osbourne and Doug Savant; Red Surf in 1990, with George Clooney; and Detroit Rock City in 1999, a film about four teenagers in the late 70s trying to get to a KISS concert.

Simmons has made the rounds of the celeb-reality circuit with such shows as Mr. Romance, which he created and hosted; Rock School, in which he tries to form a rock band from a group of classically-trained music students; and Gene Simmons Family Jewels, a show documenting his family life.  

YUDDY