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I just wanted to know your viewpoint on Michael Jackson purchasing the rights to The Beatles' publishing in '84/'85. If you had had $47.5 million back then, (and you may have had it), would you have done it? Even though they are your biggest influence? Lennon and McCartney always got their 50% of their publishing monies anyway (though McCartney and Ono could have had 100% if they had outbid Jackson). Is there an ethical boundary to making money? Barring the physical harm of someone, of course. I would love to know your answer.

Best Regards,

Eric, Indianapolis

Response from Gene:

Ethics can be argued. You may think it's right. I may think it's wrong. The law is there to decide if it's allowed. Period. Yes. I would have bought the publishing.

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Gene,

I just finished your newest book " Sex Money Kiss", and although I familiar with the material relating to Kiss including "The Ace" and Peter....I have to say that the philosophy has been a refreshing wakeup call to my future and the stagnant situation I am living in.

One thing in specific I have realized through your book is..life is full of "no's" and we should get used to that word but not let it deter us. We shouldn't let the word "no" make us feel bad or that we are a failure! You only fail in life when you stop trying! I am overweight and have self-esteem issues because I was abused as a child. I don't want to keep losing out in my life because of it, nor do I want to let ANY of my personal or physical flaws continue to hold me back from getting ahead. I want to stop caring about what others think of me and just stay focused on making "more money baby"! Ultimately I would like to turn the negative past in my life into a vehicle that provides the free gas to keep me driven to work hard and keep setting new, bigger and better goals.

I honestly plan to re-read your book and highlight all of the inspiring passages throughout it that have spoken to me and that have started my engine back up. At 34, my hopes of being a rockstar have not come to light for me. I played all throughout the eighties in bands, opened for Zebra and Cheap Trick including others in venues such as "The Chance" in Poughkeepsie etc... I have come to realise that it was not meant to be for me. Many of us musicians who are left from that era are not exactly always sure about the ways to make it happen because Grunge came and left us naked holding our axes in the dark. I am washing dishes etc...whatever I have to do to keep my car on the road, rent paid etc. I am going to go back to school and finish up my degree and open up some doors for myself.

Thanks for the book Geno! I really see the value of a mere penny now and also the importance of saving as much money as you can always. There will always be people in the world who are going to say NO, and people who are going to try to put my money in THEIR pockets. I have been schooled by your writings. Keep rocking and rolling. Most importantly..be the best you can be all the time. Possibly you will earn More money!

Sincerely,

Russell A.
Albany, NY

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Given your stance on marriage. I assume that you primarily reside in the state of California. Doesn't the palimony laws frighten you? Personally I think it's a load of horse shit.

Tony

Response from Gene:

I would urge all couples to get a COHABITATION AGREEMENT, before the relationship (whatever it may be) starts. It supersedes and nullifies the law of the land.

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Hello Gene,

My name is Robbert van Gorcum, 38 years and I live in The Netherlands.
I wanted to inform you, and send you some photo`s for your website about a very interesting exposition.
There was an exposition in the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam with the name "Him too..." by jewish artist Oz Almogs
It was an exposition about many famous Jewish people from the past & present time.
Your portrait was very well represented in this exposition. Beside the fact that your face was located in the center of the billboard that was hanging all over the city of Amsterdam. There was also a huge portrait of your face........approximatly 4 meters wide & by 5 meters high.
Paul, also being a famous jew, was also represented with a portrait.
It was a very fascinating exibition. It gave me a chance to learn a lot about famous jews who had a career in music, movies, politics & literature.
Offcours being a Kissfan ever since the early age of 10. It made me very proud the be able to stand right next to your photo.


I hope you like the photo`s. It would make me very proud if you would show them on your website.

Thank you Gene.....for many many years of great music & great memories!

Robbert van Gorcum

Response from Gene:

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Gene said: "Even well intentioned Christians such as yourself mean well, but your tone winds up being insulting to anyone not of your religious persuasion.

Both of you (the idiot Mammon guy and you, the well meaning guy) leave everyone alone and look at your own plate."

Hey Gene,

I'm a Christian and I agree with you.This is America, people have the right to believe in whatever they want.Christians should look in the mirror and work on themselves and stop annoying people that don't give a flying fig about Christianity.
How would Christians feel if a Satanist came up to them and wanted to convince them that Satan is God? That happened to me once at work and I didn't debate the guy because he wasn't pushy and he has the right to believe in whatever he wants.
I have more respect for someone who is not pushy than a Christian who gets all crazy and starts acting like they are so "perfect" that they don't ever get sick and they never go to the bathroom...Wake up n' smell the coffee yo!
        Peter Panagakos <tAKi76>

Response from Gene:

Actually, you bring up a point: Imagine a world where Satanists, Muslims, Baha'i, Hindus and all the rest of the world's religions were in each other's, faces trying to convince them that their religion is right and the others are wrong.

"Religion is the opiate of the masses." I didn't say that, by the way. Look it up.

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Gene,
In response to your statement to me:

I don't know how to tell you this, but even though I like Rabbi Y'sua Ben Joseph, I don't believe he or anyone else is God, the son of God or anyone related to God. I'm not a Christian and have no interest in becoming one. And, I don't want anyone knocking on my door to tell me they're right and I'm wrong. It's not for them to say.

Even well intentioned Christians such as yourself mean well, but your tone winds up being insulting to anyone not of your religious persuasion.

Both of you (the idiot Mammon guy and you, the well meaning guy) leave everyone alone and look at your own plate.

Once again, I believe you may have misinterpreted what I said.... or wanted to say. Probably my fault. I am well aware of your stance on religion, Christianity, etc. I have kept up with you for years and I feel I understand where you are coming from. I only wanted to say that not all Christians are like that. I certainly didn't mean to sound insulting to those who are not Christian. It just made me mad that this guy was mentioning the word "Christian" with all of the other statements he was making. I wasn't trying to tell you what to believe. I was only trying to point out this guy's contradiction. So many people make Christians look stupid. You know what I mean? They make us look like brow-beating hypocrites. Thanks for listening.
Danny

Response from Gene:

Thank you for the letter, but without sounding confrontational or accusatory, my opinion, if you'll allow me, is that you are correct. People find Christians irksome. I don't want a Christian or a Muslim or anyone else telling me they're are enlightened and I am not. Kissing my ass isn't just a physical activity one can participate in. It's also a greeting and response.

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"On behalf of Christians everywhere, let me apologize for the idiots like Amin Herouf who have NO STINKING CLUE what it means to be a Christian. You don't go to heaven by praying ten times a day. It's by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Anyway, this guy doesn't have a clue. We're not all like that. Some of us read the Bible!
Danny

Response from Gene:

I don't know how to tell you this, but even though I like Rabbi Y'sua Ben Joseph, I don't believe he or anyone else is God, the son of God or anyone related to God. I'm not a Christian and have no interest in becoming one. And, I don't want anyone knocking on my door to tell me they're right and I'm wrong. It's not for them to say.

Even well intentioned Christians such as yourself mean well, but your tone winds up being insulting to anyone not of your religious persuasion.

Both of you (the idiot Mammon guy and you, the well meaning guy) leave everyone alone and look at your own plate."

Hi, Gene,

I just wanted to respond to this letter and your response. I agree with Danny that Mammon's method of sharing his beliefs is insulting. No wonder Christians get a "bad rap" with these type of people running around. I also want to comment on your response. I understand the frustration that people feel when confronted with the message of Christianity especially by someone who doesn't show respect and consideration. Kind of a "don't let your dogma crap in my yardma" type of mentality. I'd like to shed a little light on why Christians are so zealous and feel so compelled to share their beliefs. If one believes the New Testament writings of how Jesus talked about himself(many don't, I know), Jesus is the only way to heaven. If one truly, truly believes that, then they feel compelled to share this with as many people as they can in the spirit of helping and concern. I look at it this way. What if you were the only person in a crowded building that had the knowledge that snipers had targeted every door out of the building but one. You knew that they were planning to kill everyone that left the building. Wouldn't you want to tell everyone about the one door that was safe? Wouldn't you be frustrated if no one believed you and told you to go to hell because they will leave through any door that they pleased? I think this is how most Christians feel. They believe (not all, I'm sure) without a doubt that their door is the only safe way and want to help as many people through that door as possible. It's not an "I'm right and you're wrong" type of situation (hopefully). It's a "you can do as you please, but I really wish you'd listen" type of mentality. Christians walk a fine line between understanding how "put off" people can be when trying to share Christian beliefs and wanting to help them despite this fact. I'm not trying to push Christianity on anyone. Everyone is completely free to believe as they choose. I'm just trying to help a little to understand the mindset of most Christians.

Thanks,

Brian Ashmore

Response from Gene:

Well. Let's see. Am I to understand God isn't the one who is supposed to communicate with his children? YOU are??? Crap. Further, as a Theology student, kindly note, Jesus (remember, often referred to only as "Rabbi") may or may not have said any of the things attributed to him. Simply because no one who wrote the New Testament was there at the time. Check with your Priest.

I reject any idea that tells me God only has one way. Yours and anyone else's. Keep your thoughts to yourself. The rest of the world is sick and tired of being browbeaten.

And, what if I'm right and you're wrong?

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Gene,

I started but lost  the previous letter in order to insult your greed - maybe I'll find it sometime. But you're gonna have to loosen up about money.

Please don't have that ridiculas fuckin' dollar sign on your grave. Take the cue from Jim Morrison. You can't get past the flowers, tributes or  poetry reciting fans to get to Jims.' Be remembered for talent and song, not money. Because Paul Stanley will be remembered for being the personification of 'rock and roll'. Where will that leave you you? Perhaps as the mecca for accountants worldwide. Wise up. Post THAT on your precious letters page.

Regards from Ireland.

L. Burns.

Response from Gene:

I suppose from your perspective, you may be right. Someone has to wrap fish, after all. It may as well be you. God bless.

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Hello. I picked up SEX MONEY KISS today, and it has totally changed my perspective on life. First I have to tell you, I am 27 years of age, and this book is the FIRST book I have EVER completed!!!! It really flipped my family out, because they know how I am about reading.  Once I picked it up, I LITTERALLY could not put it down!!! I also had the great honor of meeting Gene at the Rock Star movie premiere. I won a contest to go there, and I walked down the red carpet behind Gene and Paul. Even though I was a nobody, Gene was nice enough to speak with me as if I were a celebrity. Needless to say that REALLY boosted my image of you Gene. You are not only a great musician/actor/author, you are also a Prince among men!!! Thank you for being the greatest idol a guy could ever have!

Sam Smith Jr
Greensboro, NC