Dear Gene,
I just can't believe the shock I received tonight. my cell phone rings and from out of nowhere I was receiving a phone call from who i would like to call "the official god of rock n roll" himself, one mr. gene simmons! The unfortunate thing I never did have the pleasure of speaking to you, I have a new phone that quite frankly i'm not quite used to yet, but i did receive your voicemail (more on that in a moment) and quite frankly its something that i will remember the rest of my life. I think it is so cool out of millions of email, snail mail, and such you receive in a day you paid special attention to ones that my wife angela and a buddy of mine had sent to you about my stage three c colon cancer, and how it would mean alot to hear words of encouragement from icon gene simmons. I must say hearing that voicemail you boosted my spirits to a level that is undescribable. Kiss has and always will be a big part of my life, you guys have been there through all the milestones in my life. You especially have always been my rock n roll idol, a person i have always respected through every word you say. You ironically through twists of fates here and there have been a person that i have never had the pleasure of meeting. Tonight though, well that all changed, a simple message from you gave me the strength to keep fighting, you always talk about you want something reach out and grab it. I have a great wife and three great kids i have been fighting for since day one. That is the way it always will be.
Craig Boyce
Quit yapping about Adam Lambert ruining his career because he came out. I live in the bible belt and plenty of women thinks he HOT!!!, don't care that he is gay----We are not trying to get with him. He sings great and I think he will be a great performer. He seems to have a nice personality and is a genuine person. At least he is real. The reality shows you old rockers do really crack me up. Who cares about your personal life. Dont care about yours or what Adam does in his PERSONAL LIFE. Bottom line......... sings great and fun to watch. I have not heard one person trash him for being real.
Kim Risher
Response from Gene:
I hope you're right, Kim. And, I hope I'm completely wrong, for Adam's sake. Because he DOES have the goods. Unfortunately, the world isn't as free thinking as you are.
I stand by every word I said.
Gene,
I thought you were full of it when you asserted that none of Michael Jackson's kids were biologically his. Turns out you were on the money. Should have known.
Glen
Hey Gene,
TRUE or FALSE
You were arrested in the late 80's for mooning the crowd at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Columbus, GA?
Apparently theres a dvd for sale on ebay that claims to contain 'roadie' footage of KISS on tour & you being put in the back of a police car after being arrested?
Hope to see you downunder again soon!
Stan
Response from Gene:
True and false.
I WAS arrested, (the only time I've ever been arrested in my life), but it was in Birmingham, Alabama. It WAS at a KISS concert, but it was NOT for mooning the crowd. I had an "itch" down there. And while Paul was addressing the crowd, I went to the side of the stage, lowered the back of my plether pants a bit to "reach and re-position" and when the show was over, the local Police escorted me to jail.
Now, I must tell you that Birmingham's Finest were friendly, courteous and couldn't be more apologetic for an old city ordinance that had something to do with not lowering your pants in public, even if you're not pointing your backside at people.
In jail, the cops and I exchanged jokes, took fotos, signed autographs and 15 minutes later I was bailed out. I believe the fine was for $200.
Next day's Birmingham newspaper did indeed have a cover story about me mooning the audience.
Not quite right, but close.
Gene or staff,
Curious over what you said about Jackson on Facebook but cannot sign myself up for celeb facebook friendships. Could you post it on your fan mail blog as well? Jackson has always been in some kind of predicament because he is no leader and has hardly known a day without being a celebrity. He just did what he was told and what he was told most of the time served other peoples purposes and was not good. He therefore had no concept of how to lead himself out of trouble. He is ultimately responsible for his life and problems but quite a number of people enabled his poor, sad life to get what they wanted. :( Michael was almost like a child placed in a situation where he had to engage in porno at a young age, and he just could never make good decisions after that.
Cal
Response from Gene:
Perhaps.
I met Michael many years ago, when I was going out with Miss Ross. Found him to be charming and very shy.
However, the Michael of later years, as depicted by newspaper and media accounts, is someone I didn't recognize. What we DO know is that, while a court of law has never convicted him of child molestation based on accusations from quite a few families of young boys, Michael had admitted to all sorts of improprieties with young boys (never with girls...of any age) like sleeping with young boys in the same bed (clothed or not clothed, this would constitute something, as a Father I would never stand for).... and we are all learning there was enormous drug use.
Some of this comes off as a very sad young man. And some of it comes off as behavior I would consider vile.
What concerns me is that there are at least some, or perhaps many young boys, who will never be able to call a press conference or have access to media to tell their story.
So, while media has asked for comments from yours truly, I had refused initially, because I have mixed feelings.
Enough time has lapsed...
On one hand, I certainly admire the talent... and when I was with him, liked the person.
On the other hand, there have been far too many other issues that paint a different picture.
Watched your shows last night. The economic stimulus was good and I go along with it. I think mainstream media is scaring people from getting out there and buying. The only think to bring back the economy is the American people. We have to believe.
The one with the sleepover was excellent a lot of fathers and guardians would be hollering and scolding. The main objective is keeping your loved one protected and safe. They have to know they can always depend on you to be there for them thru thick and thin. Your love is unconditional and will always be there.
Good job great shows.
Regards,
Jesse
So nice of you to attend the Aerosmith/ZZ Top show last week outside of Pittsburgh. Who knew you rode a motorcycle.
Zak
Response from Gene:
Very funny. Nope. Not me.
Gene,
Why don't you have a pet (animal)? I think it would add to the show. -
Stan Broniszewski
Response from Gene:
Watch our show, Stan. We have -- Snippy and Lucky (both dogs --- though Lucky usually hides under the bed when our tv crew is here)...3 cats (Idiot, Moron and Garfield...well, at least that's what I call em...Soph calls em Coco and other names I can't remember), a Venus Fly Trap named Ralph... and there you have it.
Mr. Simmons,
I truly respect you as an artist, but more so as a savvy businessman.
How about another book successful book, on how to run a business the Gene Simmons Way.
Would that be a possibility?
I thank you and appreciate your time.
Rolf
Response from Gene:
Appreciate the kind words, but there aren't enough hours in the day. New KISS album, new KISS World Tour, TV...and Family.
Gene:
A couple of weeks ago I wrote to you regarding your statements about Adam Lambert. (I'm the gay KISS fan of 35 years who was disappointed in you.)
Thank you for replying and explaining your thoughts. I still disagree, but I appreciate you taking the time to elaborate on your statements when you could have just said, "Bite me."
Mike
Response from Gene:
1. Firstly Mike, I respect you for your opinions, not for your sexual preferences. It's nobody's business how you want to lead your life, and I support you and would defend you in your own personal choices.
2. That doesn't mean, if asked, I would hesitate to say certain CAREER CHOICES could be career killers.
3. When The Beatles first hit the big time, no one knew John Lennon was married or had kids. The Beatles hid it.."in the closet"...Why? Because half the world's population are female, and they wouldn't be thrilled with that idea.
4. Lennon, Elton, and George Michael did the smart thing. First, get rich and famous. And then say and do what you like, when you have some choices.
Before you've made it, I would urge anyone embarking on a career to be careful what you say and what you do.
Wait a long time.
Strippers don't come out naked.
They peel off layer by layer.
Good idea.
