Gene Simmons continues to experience sensation disruptively.
Gene Simmons has concluded Kiss's journey towards the end of 2023, reaching his 75th birthday. He's not contemplating a full retirement from performing, as the man who rose from modest beginnings and embraced the "American Dream" prefers to stay in the limelight.
Simmons has bid adieu to his iconic silver platform shoes, heavy costumes, and stage makeup - following a 50-year-long career with his legendary band, culminating in their final concert in December the previous year. Whilst off-stage retirement is not on his agenda, the man famous for his long tongue will now grace the stage without his characteristic makeup.
The notion that Simmons would find it hard to stay away from performing was evident. In 2022, he mused about the aspect he'd miss most post-Kiss – the thrill of the stage. "The enchantment it holds," he confessed. "Standing there, it almost feels like being the Pope. During Easter, leading a quarter of a million people in cheer – there's no feeling quite like it."
Though Kiss may not have matched the Pope in terms of individual concert audiences, they consistently filled vast arenas and stadiums with their extravagant shows. Their record-breaking concert, held in 1983 at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium, attracted around 137,000 eager fans.
Spanning over three years, Kiss's "End Of The Road" tour, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the band perform over 250 shows from 2019 to 2023. Their farewell performances took place at their hometown's Madison Square Garden, marking an iconic closure.
Money and Women
Their first gig in 1973, just a few blocks away, saw Simmons performing in front of only ten people – his girlfriend, Peter Criss's wife, and a handful of friends at the Popcorn Pub. With sparse makeup and costumes, Kiss's stageshow was still in its infancy, a far cry from the over-the-top productions they'd later become known for.
Forming the band Wicked Lester with Paul Stanley, Simmons wanted more. They recorded unreleased songs at the time; eventually, they'd become the cornerstone of their first kiss. Their collective hunger for fame and fortune drove them to create something groundbreaking. In later interviews, Simmons was candid about the real motivation: money and women.
Roots in Holocaust Survival
Simmons and Stanley share Jewish roots. Born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel, Simmons' mother, Flora Klein, had survived various Nazi concentration camps. After her family's persecution, she emigrated to Israel before moving with Simmons to the United States at age eight. His father stayed behind, relocating and starting a new family. In America, young Chaim Witz transformed into the Americanized Eugene Klein, then metamorphosed further into Gene Simmons – taking on the persona of "The Demon" for Kiss.
The American Dream Realized
Enduring poverty, Simmons aspired to the "American Dream." After reaching rock stardom with Kiss, he parlayed their brand into a business juggernaut. From branded clothing and toys to merchandise, Simmons turned Kiss into a commercial powerhouse. Fans can even opt for a coveted Kiss-themed coffin for their final sendoff.
The band's movie foray, however, proved far less successful. "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park," released in Germany as "Kiss - Von Phantomen gejagt," was a comedic disaster. Today, it enjoys cult status amongst die-hard fans.
Simmons continued dabbling in Hollywood in the '80s – featuring in shows like "Miami Vice" and appearing in films such as "Trick Or Treat", but his acting career never fully blossomed. Instead, Kiss continued their reign – shedding their masks, undergoing changes in lineup, and eventually returning to their original, famous makeup in 1996.
Thriving in the '90s alt-rock era, Kiss had an unexpected resurgence. They were one of the most sought-after live acts despite the grunge and alternative rock-dominated era. Unfortunately, their classic lineup burned out soon but the makeup lived on until their final performance at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023.
Always monetizing opportunities, Simmons even sold an exclusive collection of 150 previously unreleased songs, personally delivering the $50,000 box set to each buyer.
Gene Simmons' "American Dream" has undoubtedly come true – he has amassed a fortune and later claimed to have shared his life with countless women. He found his personal happiness with actress and model Shannon Tweed, marrying in 2011 after a 25-year partnership and having two children together.
Simmons isn't planning on retiring anytime soon. He's got plenty of business ventures under the Kiss umbrella and even plans to hit the stage with his new band. The Gene Simmons Band recently played twice in Germany – in Oberhausen and at Wacken Open Air – proving that he's far from bored.
"Sure, performing with Kiss is special," Simmons acknowledges. "But there comes a time when you should call it a day after you've had your fill. Life's a buffet, and we've had our share of delicious dishes."
Despite stepping away from Kiss's iconic makeup, Simmons continues to embrace the stage, showcasing his talent with The Gene Simmons Band. This new venture allows him to explore different musical landscapes, proving that his love for performing is as vibrant as ever.
Although Kiss's exhilarating live shows captivated millions, the band's cinematic ventures, such as "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park," often fell short of their music's success, gaining cult status amongst devoted fans instead.
