I love KISS, and I love Gene Simmons. Every day I write on my arm or hand or somewhere on my body KISS ROCKS! You can get ink poisoning from it, but it's worth it! No words could explain how much I love KISS! I've loved Kiss and Gene Simmons since my uncle dressed up every Halloween when I was really little as Gene Simmons, and tried to scare me! People tell me I'm way too young to know anything about KISS, but they are SOOO WRONG! I'M only 14, but oh well, some people are obsessed with rap crap, Im obsessed with KISS, and that's all there is to it!
Love Always,
Alicia Gordon

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hello Gene. My name is Kevin Coombs. I have been a fan for almost 30 years. I have a huge kiss collectable collection. I love everything you put out. the reason I am writing to you is to tell you about something that has happened to me recently. I bought your book(on cd) sex,money,kiss. I listened to it on the way to work and back and finished it in about a week. I have applied some of the things you said in your book to my own life, and wow what a difference. Mainly my job is where I applied most of the things. I am a salesperson in a furniture store. so it is up to me really on how much I make. the more I sell the more I make. recently a fellow part time employee quit. I went to my boss and asked if I could take all of her hours. approximately 12 hours a week. I was working 40 hours a week now I work 52 a week . Monday through Saturday. Sundays off. and wow I am making more money. roughly about 100 more a week . not a lot of money in your world but in mine its a lot. that's 400 more a month about the same as my mortgage payment. I now live rent free in a way. I am also now selling items on ebay. mainly KISS items. I buy low and sell a little higher. my attitude towards work has changed totally . I used to look at work as well work. I now look at it as a key to freedom . I can buy more stuff for myself and my family. I am a much happier person with just a few more dollars in my pocket. plus my boss just told me I am his best employee. cant beat that. I am hoping for a raise shortly. So thank you very much for helping me open my eyes. its true what you say . the harder I work the luckier I get. very true. thanks again. Kevin Coombs.

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Hey Gene,

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Just curious if you have seen the latest Inc. Magazine article comparing Musical entities to Corporate entities. The mag compares KISS to Wal*Mart, and states the following.

“Both brought a new experience to the heart of America. Both sell more merchandise than anyone in their respective industries. Both deliver their product with attention to detail and with a constant eye on their fans.”

I have to believe that the comparison is right-on target and if people are paying attention………….a wonderful blue-print for success!! Thank you for some of the best moments in my life over the last 30 years!!


Spence McKain
Pittsburgh, PA

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Gene,

Cheers for the opportunity to mail and pose ideas/queries.I do have a point that I'd like to share leading to a question.
I'd like to comment on a recent letter wrt your reply about work alot to make money and taking time out for yourself means spending it.
As much as you're switched on business and music wise where phenominal amounts of earnings can be generated I'd like to make a point and maybe get feed back.
Firstly that particular case of somebody working an extra 91 days at full pay.Although I believe it's great to have a few bob in the bank to work hours like that without a break,vacation, holiday,day off whatever has to be detrimental to health and family life also.
Remember that the majority of people work physically demanding jobs on sites etc that the body can only take so much.
I put this point forward based on personal experience.I'm an electrician earning well but I was once in a position where 3 cycle shift was required as part of the job.
Each week a 60 Hour work week would easily be put in and YES you are correct about the money to be made.I was financially able to purchase nicities that were'nt essential etc. without entering into debt but only after I left that job as I had no time to spend it while there.Also due to the hours and the shift it did have a negative affect on my family life.I was like an estranged father as my children did'nt know when I'd be at home.This also affected my marriage.I also suffered health wise with panic attacks and loss of weight due to my body clock being inconsistant.This being very unusual for a perfectly healthy 25yr old at the time.
All of which were improved dramatically due to change in working hours in a differant job.However I did leave Ireland for a period of my life to work in the Middle East to get money behind me for buying a house before getting married which proved to be a great investment for my family's future.A worthwhile sacrifice.
To make a long story painful, my point being that ,YES as an everyday worker globally, working very hard for financial gain can be a must to be secure, to a degree, but NO if affects all else that is important.It comes down to personal priorities.You are correct by stating money makes the world go round and that money feeds your family but how wealthy does a person really need to be.If you have enough in your wages to pay for a house,feed & clothe your family,educate them and spend the time to guide them as they grow, believe it or not we are wealthier than 90% of the\z worlds population and should be greatful for that.I don't say this to justify not being competitive/lazy
I say this because in my opinion I believe it to be true.I'm not an American but have read a very interesting book called "The Overspent American" because I wanted to get a handle on how important that wealth was to the average American and was surprised at what some of the people endured to keep a lifestyle that they later believed to be unimportant to them and later changed their attitudes and lifestyles.Have you read the book?, and if so can you see an aspect of where working/wealth had a negative affect on the individuals portrayed in the book?and could you put yourself hypothetically in a working persons shoes to identify with the pressure of trying to be wealthy?

Cheers for 30 years,Lifelong fan
Stephen
Ireland

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oh god. i'm sending you a letter. man! i'm nervous. gene, i just want to let you know that uh, you are the greatest and that i saw you in concert back in '90 in des moines iowa. and just seeing you made my heart jump. you are so gorgeous that lately i've drempt of talking to you. i've also had a wish that one day i could meet with you and talk to you. but that looks like it will never happen. i've contacted the oprah show and i've written a letter to paul. no response. it looks like you guys are on tour. that's okay! just wanted to say that i love the songs you sing, god of thunder and calling dr.love. told you i'm a fan. every time those songs are over i rewind them. just to listen to your voice. every now and then i dream of you. you're hot! what can i say. i'm your biggest fan. i am in love with you. always have been. i know my dream sounds silly but that is my one wish. just to meet you, gene. if that could happen, oh god, like i said it's my one wish. my only wish. well, you are a busy man so i hope one day i'll get a response. i know you can't answer them all but if you get a chance, i'll be patiently waiting.
bye.

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Hi Gene

With all the talk about religion, I thought I'd share this with you and the people who try to push their beliefs off on you.

Until a couple of months ago I was making myself physically sick because of churches and their rules. Not only did I have to follow their rules but also that of my family, all of whom are avid church-goers. I read some of the stuff you said on your site and started to ask question of my own and reading literature which would most likely not be approved by my extremely conservative church. 

In my opinion churches rule by fear. Don't do this or you'll burn in hell, come to church or you'll burn in hell. But at the same time they tell you how God is forgiving and loving - just don't forget to come to church on Sunday or you'll burn in hell. Earlier this year I started to get panic attacks. Everyone told me it's because of work-related stress, I think it was because of the church. I was living in absolute fear because I didn't go to church every Sunday and "youth meetings" on Thursday. Every other day I'd get an email from some elder or deacon of the church asking me why I'm not making the meetings. The minister would phone me once a week to ask me to come to church and get my weekly dose of guilt. We were forced to "talk" about our religion and how it set us free. A lot of times I was told off for not "spreading The Word according to XYZ church" at my work or for sharing "The Truth" with my clients. How can you talk about something that does not "set you free" and fills you with dread instead of love? I got tired of living like a "good Christian" and converting others by my deeds instead of words. If anything my attitude was apt to put them off since I was always in a foul mood and I never laughed or smiled anymore. 

Finally I just decided to stop worrying about the church and what other people think. I stopped going to church and I stopped trying to live my life according to them.  The panic attacks stopped and it feels like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't try to convert anyone to my beliefs and IF I go to church I go because I want to, not because I HAVE to. I don't think God and my beliefs should be a burden. Jesus said "I come to set you free" or something like that. I wasn't free but I do belief I am now. 

The only problem is, the church and my family never stops. They think I'm going through a phase and they're still trying to get me on the "right path" according to their church. It's mind numbing and soul-destroying but there's not a lot I can do about it. I can understand my family - they think I stopped believing in God and they only have my best interest at heart. I don't understand the church's reason. Maybe they need the money?


Elaine

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Gene,

Never was a HUGE KISS fan, until October 11th when I saw you in concert.....
All these years I've been missing out on some of the most lambasting, ear blasting, flame throwing Rock -n- Roll!!!!!!!
I tell ya, that was the BEST concert I've ever been to, I was getting INTO it, and yeah I brought my bic lighter, I was the only one of 20,000 fans lighting it until KISS said "Break
Anyway, just wanted to say THANKS! Absolute best show and I will be at your next one here as well!

You guys rock.............. how about an autograph???? Any chance of that happening????

Take it easy!

Scott

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Dear Gene

Speaking of religion, I am curiuos if you have any thoughts about why religion and church is still such a big thing in the USA. Not to start the "what country is better" but, here in Canada people for years have slowly been giving it up. It has been in the news. I know people who went for 25 yrs and finally have said that it's enough of that, tired of giving to the hat, (or have just become ashamed of what they have been giving to).  Statistically, in Canada,  people are starting to take the more spiritual, or just being a good person approach to get to heaven if there is one. It's disgusting latley with all reports of priests ramming religion down peoples throats. --> Things that people probably have never even heard reported like, 40 years ago in Europe, there were many underground tunnels connecting priests to nuns monasterys, where hundreds of dead babies were found. Before It sounds like I'm bashing all priests and religion, I am not..."just Facts". (really goes to show that men and women have their needs) Gotta admit, things haven't been looking so 'good' for some religions in these times either.
Gene, after all the postings on religion, and questions with no answers, what is your opinion on the reason why America is still so big on the whole church going thing and can you share your opinion of why you believe in the separation between church and state?
Thank you
Nova Scotia Canada

Response from Gene:

I'm not sure. But, a thoughtful question nonetheless.

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Ok, usually when I write to this site, it is to praise Gene and all his hard work. But all that hard work can make people forget sometimes. Somewhere in Kiss And Make Up, Gene claims to have taken Iron Maiden and Bon Jovi on tour with them during the Unmasked tour. Maiden? Yes. Jovi? I doubt it since the band didn't come to fruition until 1983. Not trying to nitpick, just wondering if there was something I missed. Other than that, I have no complaints. Take care Gene and take care all you Gene and Kiss lovers.




      Eric

Response from Gene:

Bon Jovi's first trip to Europe was opening up for us in l984