Hi,
Long time fan in Houston. Had story you might get a kick out of.
Took my wife and my 5-year-old son to see the Houston show (KILLER show, btw.) My son is a huge fan, and had a GREAT time. When you flew up to the top of the lighting rig, I watched him through the next song, and he had a terrified look on his face. I asked him what was wrong, and he said:
"I'm scared Gene will fall and hurt himself."
I told him it was okay, that you practiced a lot, and had guys who knew what to do helping you, but he didn't relax until you were back on the stage.
Thanks for the fun, and the inspiration to make my own music.
Jason "J-Thunder" Ward
When I look at the situation in Haiti I’m glad to be an American, but I’m also saddened that most of us, including myself, don’t know how good we have it. It seems like no matter how much money we have, or don’t have, we’re ungrateful. The poor American’s are just as guilty of this as the rich.
We still have a lot of progress to make, we’re not perfect. But when I look at Haiti, I realize that we’re not called the “Land of Opportunity” for nothing. What exactly does “opportunity” mean? Does it mean giving American’s a house in an upscale neighborhood they otherwise would not be able to afford? IE “Affordable housing” … Does it mean making sure they drive around in an air-conditioned Benz instead of a broken down piece of junk? No, it means we’re guaranteed the basics of life, what we cannot live without … food and clean water. Opportunity = life.
Now that we’re alive, the rest is up to us to make the most of it. If you’re an American there are no excuses. You have no one else to blame but yourself.
Brian Francis Jones
Hello Gene,
I hope this email letter is not too long. First of all, I think you are
a freaking genius! I have been a true fan since like the mid-70's when
ALIVE! album came out, listened to it until both records melted on my
blue G.E phonograph table in my basement room at home in North
Tarrytown, NY with my newly met cousins from Spain/Cuba. Then I bought
the Destroyer album and that one just blew me away! LOL
Over the years I kept listening to KISS and rocked all the way with you
all. In 1985 I was at the Santa Monica Mall one particular day and I saw
you with your family I believe. I was going up the escalator and you
were going down. You were wearing a nice fitted black sports jacket,
slacks, black shoes and dark glasses. I nearly pied in my pants and I
gasped for air to say a hello to you and I said, "Hello Mr. Gene
Simmons, how are you?" And you nodded your head with a smile and
continued down the escalator. I was in shock and in "AWE!" I just
arrived to California after running away from home, I was 22 years old
with one suitcase and my black ARIA PRO Destroyer bass guitar with
yellow stripes and brass hardware and hard surface travel guitar case. I
wanted to start a band out there but that never happened. My dream never
came true, yet I was not a failure.
Years ahead now, I joined the US Navy and served for 8 years got out and
have been a military contractor making some pretty good money. My wife
Sara and I saw your 35 ALIVE! Concert at the St. Petersburg Times Arena
in Tampa, Florida and we were blown away! I loved the show, the
excitement and all the pyro! Your sound was incredible and awesome!
Perfect! I bought the new CD at a local Wal-Mart and listened to it
along with my wife down-loading many of your classic hits from Itune's
to a CD. We cranked up my 5.1 BOSE 10 speaker system in my red 2008
Cadillac CTS and we were rocking to you guys right before the concert.
I am now currently in Afghanistan doing a year long stint here and my
wife bought me your official autobiography in which I am reading with
delight and wonderful insight about your career as rock super star. I
have laughed, I have cried and I have laughed more every page I read and
every chapter I turn to I am completely intrigued by you and the KISS
phenomena.
I am a 46 year old dude, I am also a musician that plays both guitar and
bass. My dream is to start a cover band and pay homage and tribute to
you and KISS and actually dress like you guys with full gear and makeup.
I have searched a costume online store and found your official clothing,
shoes and accessories. I know how to play most of your early KISS stuff
but need to get better on vocals and harmonics. Need to find three other
crazy qualified guys like me and rock Tampa out of the water! LOL
What would I require to do legally to ask you if I could use your
"Wicked Lester" name as a cover band name? I am not sure if it could be
done or perhaps used with your professional and legal permission. If
not, I'll figure out a way to name my new cover band. I have written a
few lyrics already and have the riffs and melodies in my head. I have my
bass and guitar at home but I miss my wife and poodle dog even more.
Hope you read this crazy and long letter. Keep rocking and see you soon
on TV, celebrity shows, concerts, commercials and maybe someday in real
life, shake your hands and say, "Ah...what a life in the world of
rock-metaldom"!
Be safe and God Bless you, your family and KISS!
v/r
Pedro E. Castillo (KISS fan 4ever!)
Response from Gene:
Nice of you to say those things. We all started out as 22 year olds with dreams. I was lucky.
And as for Wicked Lester = while you can't use the name, you can fool with it, like Licked Wester.
That stuff's ok. Good luck and have fun.
Just thought I would send a Pic of my son and niece outside the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls Ont. They couldn’t resist doing the Gene Simmons
Rob Stewart
Good Morning Gene,
I just saw the preview clip of Raw Nerve and the story of you & your mother outside the Consulate and the raising of the hand.
It is something I cannot fully understand yet, it choked me up too.
As painful as they are, these stories need to be told too.
Unbelievable!
Yours sincerely,
Nik
Gene,
This is in regards to your recent interview on Raw Nerve.One of your statements really hit home to me " I believe when a man looses his self worth he begins to self destruct " I have had a few bussiness failures in the last ten years not through lack of hard work. I have taken it out on myself really hard.I have become a total wreck of a man and developed a terrible alcholol problem.It was never the way I lived my life and I couldn't understand what was happening to me, But your comment was totally accurate. Through the power of words you may have saved my life and hopefully my family and marriage of 35 years. I'm going to get tough and back in the game.
Thank you,
David
Gene and Family,
We thought this was interesting. Our baby Sunny couldn't take her eyes off Family Jewels. She loves the show as much as we do. Keep the seasons coming!
Thanks,
Nate and Debbie DeVito
Response from Gene:
Season Five coming in May.
Hello Gene:
Just a note to say thanks so much. I am in the middle of watching your
special with William Shatner on the Bio channel. I started crying when you
were talking about your mother and realized how ungreatful I was growing up
with a single mom that worked 3 jobs and raised 7 children. My mom was one
of the hardest working women. SHe would get up at 5 am and go to Duncan
donuts and clean the come back and get us up for school, then go to the
restaurant and wait tables, then she would come home and sleep for a few
hours then go to the bar and work till 1am. I love my mom so much and miss
her. She died in 1998 of cancer. I know that she knew that I loved her. I
really hope that the KISS fans that read your site realize that without
there mothers especially your mother none of this would have ever happened.
Thanks for all that you do,
I love you mom
June 18, 1998
Mary Alice Klinger
Ruth VanDenderen
Hey Gene,
I was listening to Mark and Brian this morning and I heard a great suggestion. They were taking calls on who should replace Simon on American Idol. Someone suggested you. I think you would be perfect. I would even start watching the show again.
Anyway, take care and can’t wait to see the new season!
Kerri Gamble
Dear Gene Simmons:
Thank you for honoring my request and sending a signed autograph for Rick Lochen.
He will be thrilled! Our good-bye bash is planned for 1/28 and we're in the process of having the signed photograph
professionally framed.....
Thanks again for taking great care of your fans!
Most Sincerely,
Maureen E. Dispenza
