Latest news with #GeneSimmons
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
A rock icon and a 100-year-old WWII veteran tell America's story
Harold 'Hal' Urban, in the same dress wool Eisenhower jacket he wore after helping liberate a concentration camp 80 years ago, gave the man standing next to him a head-to-toe inspection Monday morning. 'He's the one who sticks his tongue out?' Urban asked, before he met Gene Simmons on Memorial Day. 'Not really my music. I like Bing Crosby and Lawrence Welk.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Kiss' Rocker Gene Simmons, 75, Reveals Truth Behind Band's Epic 'Vampire Personas'
Some of the most iconic imagery in rock history comes from legendary New York band Kiss. The costumes, the theatrics, and the instantly recognizable face paint have served to make the band stand the test of time. Kiss forever changed the way bands tour and perform on stage and created more than just a musical legacy, but a brand too. The aesthetics have long outlasted the band itself, becoming their own product entirely, none more recognizable than the face paint. The look is so iconic, I don't even need to show a photo -- you know what I'm talking about. In a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons revealed the story of how the iconic face paint came to be. Who could believe something so important to rock music came by so randomly? With the amount of success Kiss saw throughout the years, it's a wonder Steins didn't come asking for royalty payments. "Love the story behind the makeup, Gene! Can't wait to see more from this interview!" One fan commented. The interview premiered today, so you can tune in to see what other secrets Simmons may share about the legendary band. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is selling his unforgettable California home. See it
Classic rock legend and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons has decided to part ways with this absolutely bonkers four-bedroom, five-bathroom estate in the most famous ZIP code in the country — 90210. 'A symbol of design excellence, superior quality and exceptional structure,' the listing on Compass describes. Built in 2017, the exterior of the house has a futuristic sort of appeal and glitters in the green hills of Beverly Hills, California. It's listed for $13.995 million. 'This home is a rare example of Swiss architectural mastery, built with exceptional quality, thoughtful details, and a focus on longevity,' listing agent Lisa Young said in a news release. 'From the Swiss steel framework and sleek fixtures to the fiber cement exterior panels that can go more than 50 years without maintenance, everything was designed to last.' Features in and around the 7,741-square-foot residence, per the listing, include: Massive deck'Gold geometric paneling'Dramatic entrywayHigh ceilingsOpen floor planGallery spaceSolar-powered poolOutdoor veranda While the entire house is impressive, nothing beats the breathtaking views around every single corner, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bass player said in a news release. 'My favorite part of the house is waking up in the morning in the upper bedroom, having coffee in bed and on a clear day being able to see all the way out to the ocean,' Simmons said. 'And my other favorite time is sunset in the upper bedroom or downstairs barbecuing something outdoors. The views really are spectacular.' The listing is held by Young, Kennon Earl and Thomas Davila.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rocker Gene Simmons Shocks Fans By Bringing Iconic '60s Singer on Stage
A lot of things comes to mind when you mention Gene Simmons. The makeup, the hair, the costumes, and Kiss as a whole have left their impact on pop culture. It's hard to see face paint anywhere and not think of the iconic band. Simmons, who is coming off of Kiss' End of the Road farewell tour, has been touring as a solo act. Playing a mix of Kiss songs and originals, his solo tour has been a good way for Kiss fans to hear the music they love from the source since the band's retirement. It's also a good show to attend for some '60s throwbacks. Fans at the New Jersey show were given a huge surprise when Simmons brought iconic singer Tommy James out on stage. Tommy James' Mony Mony was a massive hit in 1968, reaching the top of the U.K singles chart. It seems like Simmons is paying respect to some of those who came before him in the world of popular rock music. Fans reacted in the comments, with one saying, "That's absolutely amazing! I would've loved to be at that show!👍" Others spoke about James himself, with lots of commentors singing his praises. "Love me some Tommy!" "Tommy James should be in the Rock HOF, it's a crime that he is not." "They better put Tommy James in the Hall of Fame." It seems like age hasn't faded the legacy these musicians hold. Music will always stand the test of time, with both fans, and popular culture as a whole.🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
KISS' Gene Simmons reveals moment "Rock and Roll All Nite" was born and reflects on being a "chameleon"
Gene Simmons reflects on his roots and the rise of KISS For more than half a century, KISS' Gene Simmons has been one of the most recognizable figures of rock and roll. Simmons rose to stardom as the "demonic" bassist and co-lead singer of the rock band formed in New York City in 1973. "All my life I've been a chameleon. Everything is a costume," Simmons said in an interview for "CBS Mornings" that aired on Wednesday. But his devilish make-up and theatrical persona are a stark contrast to his very humble upbringing as the son of an immigrant single mother. Long before he became a KISS icon, he was known simply as Chaim Witz, meaning "life" in Hebrew. The road to KISS KISS' Gene Simmons reflects on his childhood in an interview with "CBS Mornings." CBS Mornings "You want to be in a rock band?" Simmons recalled his mother asking. "That's not going to fly, babe." Before moving to New York at age 8, Simmons was born in Israel – a child of Jewish refugees from Hungary. His mother, Flora Klein, survived the Holocaust. "After the horrific unimaginable life my mother went through where she saw her entire family, our family, wiped out in front of her face, every decision I was going to make I thought about my mother first," Simmons said. Simmons vowed to be there for his mother every step of the way, reminding himself, "Don't break your mother's heart. Don't do it." He said it was an observation his mother made that inspired him to be a musician. While watching The Beatles perform on "The Ed Sullivan Show" one night, Simmons recalled his mother coming in and commenting in Hungarian. "I'll never forget this…she said something like, in Hungarian, 'They're really weird people.' And at that point, I thought they're cool," Simmons said. The birth of "Rock and Roll All Nite" After making some money from singing background for other artists at New York City's Electric Lady Studios, Simmons and his pal Paul Stanley went on to form the legendary band KISS in their early 20s. Eddie Kramer, who worked with The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, agreed to produce and engineer their first demo. But they struggled in obscurity until a challenge from their label's president led to one of the most famous lines in rock history. While buying frozen hot dogs and a can of beans in San Francisco, Simmons recalls Stanley turning to him and humming some of the lyrics to the song that would later become the iconic 1975 hit "Rock and Roll All Nite." "We were in San Francisco, we went downstairs to buy frozen hotdogs and a can of beans. And Paul said, what do you think of this?" "That's really good. What do you got? He goes, 'That's all I've got,'" said Simmons after Stanley sang the chorus. They eventually put more verses together. "And that's how the song was born," he said. By 1977, following the release of their concert album "Alive!" They were one of the most famous bands in America. Today, KISS has more gold albums than any other American band and has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Though KISS retired from performing as a band, Simmons, now 75, is currently on tour. "You're running a race in a sense, the race of life and the finish line is coming up right ahead of you. What are you going to do? Slow down, or are you going to speed up?" Simmons said.
