Gene Simmons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gene Simmons
Simmons in 2012
Born	Chaim Witz (1949-08-25) August 25, 1949 (age 75) Haifa, Israel
Other names	Gene Klein The Demon the God of Thunder Dr. Love Reginald Van Helsing
Occupation	Musician singer songwriter record producer actor entrepreneur television personality
Years active	1970–present
Spouse(s)	Shannon Tweed ​ (m. 2011)​
Partner(s)	Cher (1978–1980) Diana Ross (1980–1983)
Children	Nick Sophie
Musical career
Origin	New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock heavy metal
Instruments	Bass guitar vocals

Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949) is a famous American musician. He is also known by his stage name, "The Demon". Gene Simmons was the bassist and a lead singer for the hard rock band Kiss. He helped start Kiss in the early 1970s with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Kiss stopped performing in 2023. In 2014, Gene Simmons was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss.

Discovering Gene Simmons' Early Life

Gene Simmons was born as Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949. He was born in Haifa, Israel. His parents were Jewish refugees from Hungary. His mother, Florence Klein, survived being held in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. She was freed in 1945. She and her brother were the only ones in their family to survive this terrible time.

Gene's family was very poor when he was a child. He helped by selling wild fruit with a friend. When he was eight, his parents divorced. He and his mother moved to the United States. They settled in Queens, New York City. In America, he changed his name to Gene Klein. He used his mother's maiden name. He went to public school and later graduated from Newtown High School. He also went to college and earned a degree in Education in 1970.

Before becoming a musician, Gene had many different jobs. He worked as an assistant at Vogue magazine. He also taught sixth grade for six months.

How The Beatles Inspired Gene

The Beatles had a huge impact on Gene Simmons. He once said that he wouldn't be a musician without them. He saw them perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. He was amazed by how these four boys made such great music.

Gene chose his stage name, Gene Simmons, to honor a rockabilly singer named Jumpin' Gene Simmons. He spent many hours practicing his guitar.

Gene Simmons' Music Career

Gene Simmons started his first band, Lynx, when he was 15 years old. The band later changed its name to the Missing Links. He then formed other bands, like the Long Island Sounds. He worked odd jobs to earn money while playing music.

He went to college for two years from 1968 to 1970. During this time, he joined a band called Bullfrog Bheer. They recorded some songs, including "Leeta," which was later included in a Kiss collection.

Forming the Legendary Band Kiss

In the early 1970s, Gene Simmons formed a rock band called Rainbow. It later became Wicked Lester. Paul Stanley (then Stanley Eisen) also joined this band. They recorded an album, but it was never fully released. Gene and Paul were not happy with Wicked Lester's sound. They decided to leave and create the "ultimate rock band."

They looked for a drummer and found Peter Criss. Then, Ace Frehley joined as the lead guitar player. This completed the lineup for Kiss. Kiss released their first album in February 1974. Paul Stanley became the main performer on stage. Gene Simmons focused on building the band's brand and merchandise. His "Demon" makeup for Kiss was inspired by a comic book character called Black Bolt.

Simmons's Demon make-up

In 1983, Kiss decided to take off their famous makeup. This helped them become popular again. The original drummer, Peter Criss, left the band. Eric Carr became the new drummer and played with Kiss until he passed away in 1991. In 1995, Kiss held fan conventions. Fans wanted the original members to reunite. This led to a very successful reunion tour in 1996–1997. Later, Tommy Thayer replaced Ace Frehley, and Eric Singer replaced Peter Criss.

Gene Simmons in Movies and TV Shows

Gene Simmons has been in many TV shows and movies. He even helped create some of them.

• My Dad the Rock Star: This was a cartoon about the son of a rock star, like Gene Simmons.
• Mr. Romance: Gene created and hosted this show on the Oxygen TV channel.
• Rock School: This UK reality show featured Gene trying to form a rock band with students.
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels: This reality show followed the lives of Gene, his wife Shannon Tweed, and their children.
• Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery: Gene and the other Kiss members appeared in this animated movie.

In 1978, Gene was in a TV movie called Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. He also appeared in an episode of Miami Vice in 1985. In 2014, he guest-starred as himself in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Gene Simmons also acted in movies like the thriller Runaway (1984) and the action film Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987). In 2015, he started his own film company, Erebus Pictures.

Other Exciting Projects by Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons has worked on many projects outside of Kiss. He had his own magazine called Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine. He also had his own record label, Simmons Records. This label released music by bands like Kobra and the Lotus and House of Lords.

In the 1970s, Gene helped the band Van Halen. He produced their demo tape and tried to get them a record deal. In the 1980s, he produced albums for other bands too, such as Keel and Wendy O. Williams.

From 2006 to 2008, Gene worked in marketing for the Indy Racing League. In 2012, he led the Rock N Roll All Stars tour in South America. He also partnered with Paul Stanley to create the restaurant chain Rock & Brews. In 2013, they became part of the ownership group for the Los Angeles Kiss Arena Football League team.

In 2017, Gene launched "The Vault." This was a special collection of all his major musical works.

Gene Simmons' Unique Style

Gene Simmons fire breathing

Gene Simmons plays bass guitar in Kiss. He shares lead vocals with rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley. Some famous Kiss songs where Gene sings lead include "God of Thunder" and "Rock and Roll All Nite". Gene has a deep, powerful voice.

Gene likes music that is "memorable simplicity" rather than being too complicated. He believes that music should be easy to remember. He doesn't see himself as a bass guitar expert. He prefers songs that people can easily enjoy and remember.

The Demon's Stage Look

Gene Simmons is famous for his long tongue, which he often sticks out during performances. On stage, he is known for his "Demon" character. He spits fire and sometimes "vomits" stage blood. These acts make his performances very exciting and memorable.

Gene Simmons' Personal Life

Gene Simmons lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Shannon Lee Tweed. She is a Canadian actress. They got married on October 1, 2011. They have two children: Nick (born in 1989) and Sophie (born in 1992).

Gene Simmons can speak several languages. He knows Hungarian, German, English, Hebrew, and some Japanese. He is also a big fan of science fiction and comic books. He even published several science fiction magazines when he was younger.

Gene Simmons' Views and Beliefs

Gene Simmons has strong feelings about the United States and Israel. He was not born in America, but he loves the country very much. He is grateful to America for helping his mother survive during World War II. He believes America saved his mother from the concentration camps.

In 2011, Gene visited Israel, his birth country. He said it was a "life changing experience." He feels that he is still Israeli. He met his half-brother and half-sisters there. He also visited his father's grave. Gene is a strong supporter of Israel. He has said that artists who refuse to perform in Israel for political reasons are "stupid."

Helping Others: Gene Simmons' Philanthropy

Gene Simmons is a big supporter of ChildFund International. This organization helps children around the world. He has sponsored over 140 children. He traveled to Zambia for his Gene Simmons Family Jewels show to visit some of these children. He said it was a reminder that life is not fair for everyone.

Gene's family received an award for their charity work with Mending Kids International. This group helps children get access to health care. Gene spoke about his own difficult childhood in Israel. He remembered how excited his mother was when they received a box of aid one day.

Gene also helped create "The Children Matter." This project works with the charity MATTER to give children health care worldwide. During the coronavirus pandemic, he encouraged people to wear masks and follow safety rules.

Awards and Special Recognition

Gene Simmons has received many honors.

• In 2011, he received the key to the city in Dallas, Texas. A street there was even named Gene Simmons Boulevard.
• He also received the key to the city in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 2011.
• In 2012, Revolver magazine gave him the Golden God award.
• In 2013, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History added an autographed Gene Simmons Axe bass to its collection. The museum recognized his impact on American culture and his story as an immigrant.
• Gene is an honorary board member of Little Kids Rock. This group helps bring music education back to schools.
• In 2014, he received the Golden Medal from the Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona.
• In 2020, Gene won two Guinness World Records. These were for "highest flame projection in a music concert" and "most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert." He set these records at the KISS 2020 Goodbye concert.

Images for kids

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  Gene Simmons in his makeup, 2023

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  Simmons performing in 2019

Selected Books by Gene Simmons

• 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)
• Kiss: The Early Years, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (ISBN: 0-609-81028-6)

See also

In Spanish: Gene Simmons para niños