Gene Simmons

Biography

Gene Simmons is the instantly recognisable frontman of one of history’s most extraordinary rock bands. Kiss is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold over 100 million records, including 25 million RIAA-certified albums – they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. As their lead singer and bassist, Simmons’ trademark visual make-up and raucous on-stage antics led him to become one of the most iconic figures in rock ‘n roll. Sharing vocal duties with Paul Stanley, he stepped behind the microphone for classic tracks like “Rock and Roll All Nite”, “A World Without Heroes”, “I Love It Loud”. Even the musically uninitiated will recognise his on-stage persona, The Demon, by his intimidating black-and-white make-up and devilish behaviour: Simmons would often strut across the stage, displaying his unusually large tongue, spitting fire and spewing fake blood. Simmons has also released two solo albums, both of which charted highly on the Billboard 200.

Aside from his work in Kiss, Simmons has launched his own men’s lifestyle magazine, and has been involved with several television projects, including the Nickelodeon project My Dad the Rock Star, a cartoon created by Simmons and based on his own family. He’s also appeared in reality television shows Rock School and Gene Simmons Family Jewels.