Gene Simmons Net Worth

Gene Simmons's 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.

Interesting Facts about Gene Simmons

1. Co-founder of the famous hard-rock group, KISS, famous for outrageous antics and kabuki-like make-up.
2. Prior to forming KISS, Gene Simmons was an elementary school teacher.
3. Lived with Cher for several years.
4. Has lived with model/actress Shannon Tweed since 1986, but didn't marry until 2011. Simmons had previously said that while he respects the rights of those who choose to marry, it's not something he ever planned 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.
5. Has a son, Nick Simmons (b. 1989), and a daughter, Sophie Simmons (b. 1992), with Shannon Tweed.
6. Edward 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.
7. Was once in a band called "Bullfrog Beer". Other pre-KISS bands he was a member of included "Coffee", "the Long Island Sounds", and "Wicked Lester" (with Paul Stanley).
8. Once considered becoming a rabbi.
9. Designer of the axe shaped bass guitar.
10. There is a KISS tribute band in Seattle called Gene's Addiction.
11. Produced many acts in the 1980s, including Keel, Wendy O. Williams, "EZO" and "Black and Blue".
12. 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).
13. 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.
14. Launches fashion label, "Gene Simmons - Dragonfly" [August 2002]
15. 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.
16. Gave Elijah Allman (Cher's son) his first guitar at age 11.
17. Has never drank alcohol, used drugs or smoked
18. 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.
19. Is the founder of Simmons Publishing, which publishes books and magazines.
20. 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.