Thank you so much for visiting our wounded soldiers. I was a cadet Nurse serving at an army hospital during the war and it brought back so many wonderful memories.. My husband was a Marine who was wounded on Iwo Jima-- a sniper shot him in the neck, and two medics were killed trying to get him out of the foxhole .Their bodies fell on top of him and eventually someone got him out and later he was put on a plane to get him off the island and the plane was shot down . We were married 51yrs when he passed . He was a true Marine. Thank you so much for all you do for our wounded. I cared for soldiers who were very badly wounded . some tortured by the Japanese, Many served with the 82nd and 101 airborne at the battle of the Bulge. You are a very special person. Many thanks, and may you always be blessed with much good health, and happiness . Respectfully , Mildred Murphy

We'd like to submit a business proposition to Mr.Simmons with regards to investing in our venture. Where do we do send it to for him to review? Currently, we broadcast four shows over the internet on a variety of sites, and are working on a new show which will air on the new rudetv. Our content is intended to provide education, entertainment, and more for adults as we work on destigmatizing sex and the adult industry. Recently, we interviewed a manager, and a few girls from Frank's Energy Drinks, and are waiting for a prospective opportunity with them - Gene also endorses this company. If you have any questions please contact us and we'll provide you with the answers you need.
Respectfully, Joshua Dahling, aka Shrek.

Response from Gene:

By and large, I don't invest in ventures. THEY invest in me (i.e. they hire me).  And, the area you're dealing with probably wouldn't work for me. Good luck.

Good day to whomever might receive this!

I live near Port Perry, Ontario, Canada.

I just wanted to pass along that tonight I watched the "Gene Wants You" episode on Family Jewels. I have to say, I sat here crying. What a wonderful idea and priviledge for you to be able to take your 15 year old daughter to a VA hospital. I think it was a fantastic thing to have aired, for those not fortune enough to be able to find themselves in a situation to be able to speak with the heros who keep both our countries safe.

My grandfather was a WWII vet. I have taught my children since they were very young, the meaning of remembrance day and how important it is to have the utmost respect for those who keep our country free. Every year for as long as I can remember, we would call my gramps on remembrance day and both my children would thank him for their freedom.

It was truly fantastic to see such a humble side to the very big Mr. Gene Simmons. I gained a whole new respect for this man after watching this episode.

Oh and by the by, when is he planning to marry that fantastic newfie woman? My mom is a newfie woman and you'll never find finer the world over. Yah, Yah, never mind the "Happily Unmarried" nonesense. LOL.

After watching this episode tonight, I guess I'll be now not only be a Shannon fan, but also a Gene fan.

All the best of health to the Simmons family.

Tracy Howard
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada (eh!)

Response from Gene:

Thank you. It seems almost every woman in the world enjoys torturing me with the marriage thing.

Response from Gene:
I appear to work everyday...because I do. I consider it a privilege. Most people in the world are poor and would do anything to have a job. In this country, all anyone wants to do is go on vacation. I have never vacationed and look forward to working every day. So do Buffet, Gates and the other big guys.

Gene,

No disrespect intended but let’s be honest, 95% of what you do can not be considered “work” in the traditional sense. Your financial and celebrity status vastly separate you from the majority of the population. You’ve never taken a vacation because you don’t need to. Your life IS a vacation to most of us. Going to a “bunny ranch” to interview girls is not work. Being spanked on camera by a dominatrix is not work. Traveling to Indy Car races and showing up for photo sessions, interviews and so forth, is not work. Going to Vegas to present at an adult video awards ceremony is not work. Having cameras follow you to the doctor to have a physical is not work (I have to take off of work to go to the doctor). On the other hand, I will say I’m sure you will actually “work” more on the 35th anniversary tour than you have in a while because I KNOW playing 2 hours and giving it your all actually IS work. 
Again, don’t get me wrong, I love Kiss, I love GSFJ, I love the outlet Kiss has provided me for over 30 years to de-stress. I even flew to Detroit to see the final “farewell” tour show there thinking that was it (I’m very glad it wasn’t by the way). In any case, you are not loading trucks in the back of a Wal-Mart, painting houses, cutting grass, cleaning pools, installing toilets, hanging drywall, changing oil at a quick lube, pouring concrete, digging ditches, and so forth... Most of what you consider work would be a vacation to the people that do those kinds of jobs. 
I fully agree with you that if you want to get anywhere in life, you have to work harder/longer and you only get out of life what you put in. You are dead right in saying the harder we work, the more money we save, the less we finance and borrow on credit, the better off we would all be.  I’m working on all of that for me and my family. I’m not jealous of you, I don’t envy you and I don’t want to be you. I will still go to any Kiss concert I have the chance to and will always be a fan of you, the Show, and Kiss. I’m just tired of seeing people feel sorry for you because you don’t take vacations and you responding with how much of a privilege it is to work. I don’t think you’d feel the same after day after day of digging ditches or hanging drywall. If you had to do that 50-60 hours a week, you’d want a vacation with your family once in a while so please stop bashing people for that.  In fact, people go on vacation for the same reasons they go to Kiss Concerts, to relax, be entertained, and escape the stresses of daily life. If we all followed your advice to a T, nobody would go to a Kiss show. In a way, you are discouraging people from taking any time to enjoy themselves and spending money on anything but absolute necessities. Entertainment is the primary source of your own income. I get the feeling you are looking down from the stage thinking “What a bunch of suckers, you all paid hundreds of dollars to see me play music and entertain you while most of you have no savings, and no sense, keep it coming $$$!”.  Nobody needs a vacation and nobody needs to see a Kiss show.  If you do any US dates, I’ll probably be there with my wife even if you do think I’m a sucker. 
Have fun on the tour,
Adam

Response from Gene:

   You're right. My life is a vacation. But everything has a beginning.
   Mine went something like this.
   I first came to America as a child of 8....by the time I was 12 I had two newspaper routes (one simply didn't make me enough money.)
   I worked at a butcher shop, scrapping the fat off of the butcher's block.
   I worked at a Dental Prosthodontist's office delivering false teeth for a weekly grand total of $20.
   I was a Delivery Boy in Manhattan for $1.25 an hour (then the hourly wage)!!!
   While I was in college, I was the College Typist -- typing everyone's term papers for 50 cents a page.
   I also had a band that worked the weekends at the same time.
   I was Lifeguard at the Pines Hotel and at the same time did Bingo sessions for the Elderly and pretty much whatever had to be done.
   I worked at a warehouse and soon became manager of the stock department.
   I worked for Williamson and Williamson -- a legal firm on Wall St. on the night shift - 10 pm till 6 am.
   I was the Assistant to the Director of the Puerto Rican Interagency Council, a government funded research and demonstration project.
   I worked at Glamour and Vogue as the assistant to the Editor.
   I taught 6th Grade in Spanish Harlem.

   Oh yes. And, at the same time, Paul and I started a band called KISS.

   Vacation, you say?  That's for wimps.

Mr. Simmons,

This is not a question but a thank you. I am a US Air Force veteran and had it “easy”.

I just watched your show on A&E where you visited the veterans. As a veteran, I have the honor on almost every day of interfacing with Korean, Vietnam, Cold War, Iraq, Afghanistan and all the other conflicts veterans. All are my “Great Americans”. They each love this country, have sacrificed much, and each have their hidden demons and without exception, are proud that they served the great country of the USA.

I just want to reinforce to you a couple of things, 1) You taking the time with your daughter to go to the VA hospitals and to just say hello to our veterans and active duty folks makes a world of difference. To all of us vets, it means a lot that is so hard for many to understand. 2) You bringing your daughter with you was just amazing to me. I have 3 kids age 23-19 and they get it. Many don’t. That alone brought me to the verge of tears watching you and her. Thank you for taking the time to educate your daughter and please thank her for me for taking the time to be with you.

God speed and thank you so much for doing what you did.

Sincerely,

Mike Cohen

Vice President

Electronic Warfare & Situational Awareness Systems

Hi Gene,

It was odd that the paragraph was on your site yesterday – (ej / New York) the person who said you knew nothing and had people around you that did.
I wanted to share the story I just read (the same day I went to your site and read the note from that person that slammed you on knowing nothing).  
First of all, you are genius; other girls are in love with the body I am in love with your mind (all though the handsomeness is not being ignored here : ) )

The story comes from the book that has set precedence for all those other guys out there who claim the know the “secret” or push “positive thinking” etc… this Philosophy, was Instigated by Andrew Carnegie and was a seed planted in Napoleon Hills mind. Napoleon ran with it. He wrote “Think and Grow Rich”.

Anyway my point:
The Story he mentions is on page 57, about Henry Ford and how he was called an “ignorant pacifist”.
Ford did not have an “education” (I know you have education, I just wanted to share  The story that has a really neat point)

Mr. Ford brought suit against the newspaper that slandered him; in court the attorneys were asking him all kinds of lofty questions;
(What they thought was knowledge).

I love this part,
An attorney asked “How many soldiers did the British send over to America to put down the Rebellion of 1776?”

Mr. Ford replied, “I do not know the exact number of soldiers the British sent over, but I have heard that it was a considerably larger number than ever went back.”

Finally Mr. Ford became tired of this line of questioning, and in reply to a particularly offensive question, he leaned over, pointed his finger at the lawyer who had asked the question and said,  “If I should really want to answer the foolish question you have just asked, or any of the other questions you have been asking me,  let me remind you that I have a row of electric push buttons on my desk, and by pushing the right button,  I can summon to my aid men who can answer any question I desire to ask concerning the business to which I am devoting most of my efforts.  Now if  you kindly tell me, why I should clutter up my mind with general knowledge, for the purpose of being able to answer questions when I have men around me who can supply any knowledge I require?

I just love that little story, anyway you have that around you and basically I saw this being played out in your response to that person.  
Just wanted to share that little ditty with you.  Thank you for being approachable, and sharing your sweet family,  I enjoyed the little snippet where you are wearing the red shirt,  scratching your daughters back and she did that little creature noise,  what a roar.

I have one final question, if I wanted to bring to your attention an idea to help the blind – with RFID technology – would you be interested in hearing about it?

Kindest regards
Erin Stone

Response from Gene:

Fine story. And, it applies. We all drive cars and trucks. We know how to get to where we want to go. But few of us know, or need know how an engine works. That's what a mechanic does. You hire that person when the car breaks. We earn a living. We hire the tax accountant. I'm sure you get the idea.

I am sitting here watching your reality series on A&E and the episode is "Uncle Gene Wants You". This episode has really touched me and I was crying watching you and your daughter thank those who have served in the military. I am a young, military spouse and my husband is currently serving in Iraq right now. It is hard going on throughout my day because people truly have no idea what is going on over there and there are so many people who are negative and put the war down and ultimately degrade our troops. With someone, such as yourself who has made and is making a mark in the music industry standing up for the troops and showing your appreciation means more to me, military families and every soldier than we can express. Keep doing what you are doing!

Thank you so much!!

Courtney Pearce,
Proud to be an American!!

Response from Gene:

Proud.

Dear Gene,

Last month at the GKIC Superconference in Nashville, I gave you what I believe was your first Argentine Tango lesson, although it lasted only 30 seconds. (See photo attached.) I thanked you for the photo that I could show my students in Italy, and as I walked away you shouted after me ''Do I have potential?" and I answered "Absolutely!" And I really meant it. I'll tell you why in a second, but you can see for yourself if you look at that "attractive and powerful" tanguero in the
photo. That's me in the other photo in the red dress.

You talk and write a lot about men's and women's roles and the dynamics between them. I've been teaching Argentine Tango for over 7 years in central Italy - and I've come to the conclusion that here the "Latin Lover" is a myth. Maybe it was alive at one time. Maybe it still exists in South America. Never mind "Latin Lover"; it has the negative connotation of a man who cons women. What about simply a masculine man? Here in Italy, and I suspect throughout Europe and North America, men under 50 or 60 don't know how to be men anymore in relation to women. "Political correctness" has taken the natural sexuality out of our identities. Here in Perugia I gradually help men rediscover their masculine identities through tango. Same story for the women, who today are so strong in their roles as professionals or as supermoms that may they feel they can conquer the world; but when it's time to express their femininity, their womanliness, they become awkward and self-conscious. The first thing that reveals their insecurities is that they are constantly losing their balance! Through teaching them to dance tango, I help them reawaken the elegant, sensual and confident queen that is dormant within them. And I help men regain their confidence in their true masculinity (nothing to do with stupid machismo).

But you, Gene - I heard yougive the keynote talk at the Superconference, and I thought ''Now there's a man who has no doubts that he is a man." Granted, you're in the generation that has not quite wimped out in response to Women's Liberation. But you are YOU, no holds barred. And your masculinity can shine through at every moment. And that's why I think you'd be a very fine tanguero. And I saw all those other photos from the GKIC Superconference - if I'd known how much you love to embrace women, I'd have done a more authentic tango pose for my photo with you! ;)

So I'll get to my main point:
I just started reading your book "Sex Money Kiss". I stopped at the bottom of the first page of chapter 1 to write this letter, because . that first page is enough for me to want to say ''Thank you, Gene." In just 200 words, you've changed my way of looking at my whole career!

In thanks, I'd like to offer you a tango lesson. I think you'd learn fast - you seem to have none of the hang-ups that slow many men down. I know you'll be in Verona next week, and if you have a free hour or two and would like to do this, I'd come up and teach you the basics. I know I wouldn't need to teach you how to be present in the embrace!
Just tell me yes or no.

A warm embrace to a great masculine presence!
Helaine Treitman
UmbriaTango
Perugia, Italia

Dear Gene,

I've been a fan since I was 8, I'm now 39. I finally had a chance to watch your show the other night. You and Sophie visited Camp Pendleton. I was so very touched & moved by what you did (to tears infact).
My father is a retired Marine. He served in Vietnam. He entered that country, gun in tote at the ripe age of 18! He returned to the states 2 years later. Though he returned physically intact, psychologically he was heavily affected. He has never really talked about his time there and skirts the issue if brought up even this many years later. Those closes to him know his pain, he's been an alcoholic since his returned and lost 3 marriages. I am his only child and I am so proud to say my father is a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine). He is the strongest man I know, with the biggest heart and an incredible work ethic.
One year we visited the memorial wall, he pointed out so many friends and fellow marines that he knew from that wall. It was a very surreal moment. I thanked God my father was not on that wall. Vietnam vets are a group all their own. When they came home there were no banners, no parades, no fanfair or grande celebrations you see today, they only had their families and each other. As I'm sure you know the Vietnam War was not a very "popular" event. With that said, what you did for those hospitalized vets, the things you said, you spoke for so many of us that just want to say "THANK YOU for the sacrifices they made....for us!  You have to know THEY will remember YOU!
I'm a nurse and I work with WWII vets with Alzheimers disease. These men, even in their debilitated mental conditions never forget they served! It's something quite amazing. Gene, you may not have served in the Armed Forces, but you must know you've been there/here with them with your music and you have continued to influence generation after generation. I asked my father what was one of his first memories of KISS, his reply: seeing you on "The Mike Douglas Show" April 1974!
Keep rockin!!!!!
SEMPUR FI


For my hero, my dad Michael L. Simpson
We Love You Gene!
Your Fan For Life
Michele Simpson

Response from Gene:

Indeed, he is a Hero!!!
All of us Talk the Talk. He Walked the Walk!!!
Semper Fi.

Do you want to buy my painting of you? it's currently in an art show in ny. i put on kiss, war machine first, and let it rip. I attached a photo of the painting i did of gene simmons.. check it out.. maybe he'd / you'd like to buy it. i don't know who reads this.. but pass it on to gene. thanks... Justin Leis