Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Gene Simmons
August 25, 1949
Haifa, Israel
77 Years Old
Virgo
Who Is Gene Simmons?
Gene Simmons is an Israeli American musician and entrepreneur, instantly recognizable for his “Demon” persona and iconic long tongue. He transformed rock music through theatricality and sharp business acumen.
His breakout moment arrived in 1973 with the co-founding of Kiss, a band that quickly became a global phenomenon. Their live shows, featuring fire-breathing and pyrotechnics, cemented their larger-than-life image.
Early Life and Education
His early life focused on family in Haifa, Israel, where he was born Chaim Witz to Hungarian Jewish refugees. At age eight, he and his mother, Florence Klein, immigrated to Queens, New York, following his parents' divorce.
Young Gene Klein developed a fascination with comic books and rock music, later attending Sullivan County Community College and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Richmond College in 1970.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has marked Gene Simmons' life, including relationships with Cher and Diana Ross in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Simmons married Canadian actress Shannon Tweed on October 1, 2011, after dating for 28 years; they share two children, Nick Simmons and Sophie Simmons, and continue to make joint public appearances.
Career Highlights
Gene Simmons' musical works with Kiss, including the albums Kiss and Destroyer, helped define hard rock with hit singles like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.” The band sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
Beyond music, Simmons launched a vast merchandising empire, aggressively licensing the Kiss name and imagery for over 5,000 products, generating over $1 billion in licensing fees. This strategic business brand transformed the industry.
His influence also extends to reality television with Gene Simmons Family Jewels, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.
Signature Quote
“Life is too short to have anything but delusional notions about yourself.”