Booking Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons Biography

The musician and television personality Gene Simmons was born Chiam Witz in 1949 in Haifa, Israel. Long before he became famous as the co-founded of the rock band Kiss, Gene spent his early childhood growing up in Israel, until he immigrated to New York with his family at the age of eight. Simmons began to play the guitar while still in elementary school, establishing his first band as a teenager.

In the early 1970’s, Simmons teamed up with Paul Stanley to form the band Kiss; the group dominated the 1970’s with their unique sound and on-stage antics, in the full make-up and costumes which would become their trademark (with Gene’s likeness transformed into that of a demonic figure.) The group’s popularity lasted into the 1990’s, although in their later years they removed the make-up. Gene, however, continued his on-stage gimmick of spitting stage blood during performances well into the group’s later years.

In the new millennium, Gene Simmons has become even more recognizable for his various television shows and projects, most notably Gene Simmons Family Jewels, a reality show which revolves around Simmons, his wife, and his two children. The series premiered in 2006 on the A&E network and was an immediate hit. Family Jewels rose to become the network’s second highest rated series, and lasted into 2012.

Gene Simmons has also authored a number of books, including: Me, Inc: Build an Army of One, Unleash Your Inner Rock God, Win in Life and Business; Kiss and Make-Up; Sex Money Kiss; Kiss: The Early Years; and Kiss: Behind the Mask. Simmons is also active in support of programs that seek to revitalize music education, particularly to students who live in disadvantaged communities.