Video Interview: Gene Simmons


NEW YORK: Gene Simmons, the co-founder and lead singer of the rock band KISS, talks to World Screen’s group editorial director, Anna Carugati, about his new TV projects and more.

If you thought Gene Simmons was “only” the co-founder and lead singer of the rock band KISS, think again. Indeed, he continues to perform with KISS, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and continues to sell out stadiums and arenas around the world.

But the guy decked out in makeup and costume as The Demon, who told the world he wanted to rock and roll all night, and party every day, has done so much more than sing and play the guitar. KISS has some 3,000 licensed and merchandised items. There is a KISS golf course in Las Vegas, a KISS coffee shop in Myrtle Beach, KISS VISA cards, and more products that Simmons mentions in this video. He has also written books and published a magazine. He a partner in North America’s largest horse racing entity and also part of a group of investors that is brining a pro football team back to Los Angeles, naturally called L.A. Kiss.

Simmons has also created My Dad the Rock Star for Nickelodeon, Gene Simmons Rock School for VH1 and Mr. Romance for Oxygen besides starring with his family in the reality series Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E Network for seven seasons. He is working with Entertainment One on Busted, a hidden-camera prank reality series, and has a raft of other TV projects in the works, including KISS Hello Kitty for kids’ network The Hub.

The rock star-turned-entrepreneur sits down with Carugati, who had a very hard time not laughing at Simmons’ antics.