Thought you’d like to see these pillows that I saw at a chichi boutique, while walking through Covent Garden, London, today...
It’s a KISS world, we just live in it!!!
Bill Goldstein
Hi Gene,
Just saw your interview on "Good Day Philadelphia" where you said (and I'm paraphrasing) that "Adam Lambert should shut up about his sexual preferences and just sing... because we the American people don't care what you do behind closed doors"...
I think you should clarify, because I'm sure you would agree that "We the American people shouldn't care"....
The reality is that as soon as there was speculation that's all he got asked about in interviews... so yes... he did need to address it... that being said... while mainstream heterosexual male America would like to think that sexuality is something only reserved for "behind closed doors" ... the truth is, that isn't so... one of the first questions acquaintances ask is whether or not you have a girlfriend ( if you're a guy )... or "are you married" ... straight guys tout their sexuality ( as you have your entire career ) with everything from naked girl silhouette mud flaps to ads supposedly selling cars but somehow a half naked woman is posing with it, to constantly having to say "yo ...dude check out the rack on THAT broad" to the cover of Love Gun ....ad nausea... I'm glad Adam is as comfortable with himself as you are with yourself... and I don't think he should change a thing... if who he is makes some people uncomfortable so be it... the closeted gay guy is more uncomfortable at your bachelor party having to pretend to enjoy some fifty dollar whore strip for a guy who's supposedly getting "married" tomorrow...
All the best...
Brian
Response from Gene:
Listen. I agree with most everything you say. I support anyone's right to be who they are. But a CAREER is something else. That has little to do with who you actually are. It's a fantasy.
This may not make much sense to you, but consider: strippers don't walk out naked. They take layer by layer off. Otherwise, the show is over before it's begun.
Point being, "come out" later. When you're famous and rich.
Right now, it's the only talking point.
And that gets in the way of his talent.
Not so much a question as a comment. I just wanted to say how much I admire you. I've recently started watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels and find it both funny and interesting. I think your have a fantastic family. I also admire your business sense. I wish I had you head for business and had your kind of money. I like the fact that you do so much for so many people. Most people that have all the money you do tend to be kind of snooty but not you. You make me wish I was like you. Would love to have enough money to live comfortably but also be willing to spend it as needed. And I'd love to be able to do nice things for people like you do.
Please keep up the good work and thanks for being such a great role model....
Gary Shinsky
Hi Gene,
What is your opinion on the whole fate vs. free will thing?
Personally, I think it's entirely free will and that it cannot coexist with fate. I say that because many things people interpret as an outcome of "fate" were originally set in motion by a choice that was made -- ergo if fate is contingent on choice/free will, wouldn't that negate the principle of fate altogether? I wrote a big long journal entry on deviantART about this and for the life of me cannot remember everything I said in it, but you get the gist.
Your thoughts? Be as brutal as you want. I asked.
Love the show by the way.
Take care,
Dan from up north
Response from Gene:
No such thing as fate. And re: free will -- often things and life in general is entirely out of our control. That's life.
Hey Gene-
Please share 1 or 2 business or personal decisions you made that if given the chance you'd decide differently and why.
Thanks,
Mike
Response from Gene:
Let's see. 1. I would IMMEDIATELY get rid of all alcoholics and drug addicts from both your social and business life. Immediately. 2. See #1.
Dear Gene,
I have been a fan of kiss my whole life and was raised on your music. i was disheartened to hear your recent statement that Adam Lambert should keep his sexuality to himself.
I STAND BY IT....OUT OF RESPECT FOR LAMBERT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CAREER KILLER. WE ALL LOVE AND RESPECT ELTON, ELLEN AND MORE PROUD GAY PEOPLE. BUT THEY CAME OUT LATER. WHEN SUCCESS WAS THEIRS.
Being that you have shared your personal life with your fans through your books, reality show, and your music (thank you by the way), I think it is unfair to say the Mr. Lambert shouldn't be allowed to do the same. I hope that you are able to see how it isn't fair for you to say that.
NOBODY SAID HE SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY ANYTHING. HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE WHO HE IS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD, AND GENE SIMMONS BE DAMNED.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A GOOD CAREER STARTER.
It seems obvious that you respect him as an artist and have said many positive things about his voice and I don't believe his inherent gayness is a problem to you. I just hope that you are able to see how him living an honest life, and being free to express it honestly is actually necessary for him to be a complete artist (do we really want to hear him singing a cover of "beth" and pretending he is pining away for some girl?). I hope he sing songs one day about loving another man because that would be his truth. Truth = good music.
I WOULD STRONGLY URGE LAMBERT TO IGNORE YOUR LETTER AND SING LOVE SONGS TO WOMEN...OR AT LEAST SEEM TO.
HALF THE WORLD'S POPULATION ARE WOMEN. AND THEY WANT THE SONGS SUNG TO THEM. NOT MEN.
IF ONLY THE WORLD WAS NON-JUDGEMENTAL AND ACCEPTED EVERYONE FOR WHO THERE ARE.
IT DOES NOT.
AND WHAT YOU DO IN YOUR CAREER, DEPENDS ON WHETHER YOU WANT SUCCESS FIRST AND FOREMOST (and then later figure out the rest) OR DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND AND SAY = MY WAY, OR THE HIGHWAY.
MY CONTENTION? "MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY" WOULD RESULT IN....THE HIGHWAY.
SORRY. THAT'S LIFE.
that is it for now. i look forward to your upcoming tour!
Sincerely,
J.R. Smith
Gene,
I hope this email finds you well. I read one of your conversations with Bankrate recently. You mentioned that you are "not so agressive" in your investment strategies, and only get involve with blue-chips. Just some friendly advice from a person that owns his own brokerage firm in NYC. Blue chips, although they are labeled as safe to the investing public, may not be the "safest" way for you to be invested(see AIG, FNM, FRE most recent blue chip disasters as you know)
Just curious if you have exposure to the hedge fund industry at this time? "Hedge funds" may sound taboo, but they have become the new age style of investing, in order to beat the markets.(whether they go up or down, utilizing shorting and derivatives) I have worked closely with the hedge fund industry for my entire 11 year career, and have a great understanding on its innermost parts, if you ever want to learn more about the topic.
Please feel free to shoot me any questions that you may have about your current investments, and I will give you my honest opinion on how you are positioned in the equity markets. I do not know how to play a chord on the guitar, but I can tell you things about Wall Street that you might be interested in, thats my music.
Warmest Regards,
Scott
Response from Gene:
Respectfully, I will follow my gut.
MSNBC had an interesting story about a year ago, before the economy went south. They had a monkey randomly throw darts at an 'investment board'. And, they had 3 top money managers pick theirs. Guess who won at the end of a year.
I'm a little confused, Gene. You say that Adam Lambert should shut up about his sexuality because it should only be about the music. Yet a great deal of your own popularity is based on your claims of sexual prowess. Additionally, I don't think you have any idea how much it means to young gay people to see a successful proud, gay rocker. As a gay fan of 35 years, I have to tell you that your comments don't sit well with me. I expected better of you.
Mike
Response from Gene:
I'm sorry you feel that way.
I proudly support the Gay Community, and always have.... but believe at the outset of a career that needs the masses for success, it's not the smartest move to come out. Not at the beginning.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.
One decision,is about building a career, that could set you up for life. The other, a life style. Don't mix the two up.
I would keep my mouth shut until much later, gather my fame and riches and then do as I damn well pleased. But, this is Lambert's life and we all support whatever he decides for himself. Including me.
But, I don't believe for a second that this will help his career. On the contrary.
Hello there mighty God!
I'm a 22 year old girl from Sweden who is a very big fan of you and your family. (Like you havent read that a million times)
But i sure am :)
Not only are you the man who has open doors for many people out there to start an own career as a musician,
to follow their dreams, becoming a rockstar. (I´m on of them, though i did not become a star, but still dream of it :) )
You are also THE man in the rock n roll history!
You have inspired millions of people, not to drink or take any drugs! You should have big credit for that!
And one of those million people is.. me.
I love to draw and paint pictures. And have been all my life (since i can remember).
And I was thinking to paint one of you.
Please tell me what you think, then I will make one or two of you as a gift!
Hope you having a great time!
Love,
Sofia Henriksson
Response from Gene:
I would consider it an honor.
