Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is KISS’s co-founder, bassist and co-lead singer, known onstage as the Demon, who also tours with the Gene Simmons Band, writes books and produces films.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Gene’s team an official invite.
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Latest
Gene’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Live album
A&E
MemoirOverview
- Born
- August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel, as Chaim Witz.
- Home base of his story
- Moved to New York City with his mother at eight.
- Known onstage as
- The Demon, KISS’s bassist and co-lead singer.
- Breakout
- KISS’s 1975 live album Alive!
- Beyond the band
- Author, television personality, producer and entrepreneur.
Mini bio
How it started.
Born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Gene moved to New York with his mother at eight. In his Senate testimony, he recalled arriving without English and receiving a CARE package. His memoir traces how seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show helped inspire him to start a school band.
Finding KISS.
Gene and Paul Stanley played together in Wicked Lester before forming KISS in 1973 with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Gene became the Demon, playing bass and sharing lead vocals. The live album Alive! gave the band its breakthrough in 1975.
Songs fans carry with them.
His songwriting credits include “Deuce,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “Christine Sixteen,” “I Love It Loud” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.” KISS entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and Gene joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026.
Life beyond the makeup.
Gene brought viewers into his family’s daily life with Shannon Tweed and their children Nick and Sophie on A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels. He also wrote the memoir Kiss and Make-Up and produced the shark thriller Deep Water. Recent updates follow his solo band, KISS events and advocacy for recording artists to receive radio royalties.
Creditschronological, newest first
Film and television
- 2026Deep WaterProducer
- 2006–2012Gene Simmons Family JewelsHimself
Books
- 2001Kiss and Make-UpAuthor
Awards
- IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award2026 · Recognized by the International Entertainment Buyers Association.
- Songwriters Hall of Fame2026 · Inducted alongside songwriting partner Paul Stanley.
- Kennedy Center Honors2025 · Honored as a founding member of KISS.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame2014 · Inducted with KISS in the Performer category.
Quotes
Still having the time of my life on stage doing shows.Gene Simmons, official website
Posted on October 7, 2026, while thanking IEBA for its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Trivia
- Before his music career, Gene worked as an assistant to a Vogue editor and taught sixth grade.
- His memoir describes his childhood love of American comic books, superheroes and cowboys.
- His family reality show featured Shannon Tweed and their children, Nick and Sophie.
Find Gene
Follow Gene for tour dates, KISS memories and his latest projects.
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