Gene Simmons Biography

Gene Simmons' biography is as intriguing andopposed so strongly for their ideas that they
interesting as the man himself - 'The Demon' ofdecided to quit themselves, despite the fact that
the popular 1970's hard rock band - Kiss! Genethey had a record deal with Epic Records.
Simmons, or originally Chaim Witz, was born onSimmons and Stanley were definitely not the
August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel. This Israeli-bornkinds to be bogged down easily. They decided to
'American' immigrated to New York City, when heform the ultimate rock band, and began their
was eight years old, with his mother Florencesearch for a drummer and a guitarist for their
Klein who was a Jewish Hungarian immigrant. Hisband. This extensive search ended when they
father, Feri Witz, also Jewish, had abandoned thewere joined by two of the best in their
family.respective fields - Peter Criscuola and Paul Frehley.
After arriving in the U.S., he took the nameAnd then, finally the big moment came in
Eugene Klein, and later Gene Klein. In theFebruary 1974, when 'Kiss' released its debut
late-1960s, he again changed his name, this timealbum, which was incidentally self-titled!
finally to Gene Simmons. He attended SullivanGene Simmons became the driving force behind
County Community College in Loch Sheldrake,the one of its kind, extensive Kiss merchandising
New York. Ever since his childhood, Simmons hadfranchise. It was Stanley who quickly took on the
a strong desire for fame and wealth. In fact, hisrole of main performer on stage. With their
involvement with music began in the early yearstrademark style and looks, the band rode on the
of his life.wave of popularity for years together. Simmons
When he was a teenager, Simmons started hiswas widely loved for his act of the 'Demon', by
first band by the name 'Lynx', which he disbandedthe young and old alike - the blood-spitting,
to form another - Long Island Sounds. One of hisfire-breathing, and tongue-wagging persona in the
bands made a demo, 'Leeta', which was laterhard rock band Kiss!
released on the 'Kiss' box set in its demo version.On a more personal note, Simmons has had quite
Though he played in these bands, he made morea few live-in relationships, the well-known ones
money by doing some odd jobs like makingbeing with Cher and Diana Ross. Though the man
fanzines and buying used comic books.never married, he presently lives in California, with
It was in the early 1970s that Simmons formedlongtime partner Shannon Tweed. The couple has
the rock band with Paul Stanley. Though theytwo children - a son, Nicholas, and a daughter,
recorded one album, it was never to be released.Sophie. A polyglot of sorts, Simmons can speak
Both Simmons and Stanley were not completelyfour languages - English, Hungarian, Hebrew and
satisfied with the sound and the looks of thisGerman - and is also trying his hand at Japanese
particular band. When they planned some changesand Mandarin!
by trying to fire their band members, they were