I know I can't get a reply, but I want to tell you that I just watched the episode when Gene comes home. Oh, my goddess, what a touching episode. I could feel the fear and pain from the kids. Those poor dears. I was crying myself. I'm sure by now everyone is fine and it's all in the past. I just needed to express how much your program means to me.
Your family is wonderful, the kids are great, I know you're proud. The love from those two, from all of you, is so powerful...if only we could harness the love from you all. Yeah, I know, it's kinda mushy.....but how else can I express.
Thank you for allowing people into your life and home. Hugs to all of you. I have 3 sons and I'm very proud of them, but it's nothing like Sophie and Nick.
Your show, of all the celebrity reality "at home with" shows, is THE BEST over all.
That's all I wanted to express, keep up the good work and I'll be watching.
Diane Taylor
Bordentown, NJ
Dear Gene:
Do you believe in spiritual accountability?
-Dan
Minneapolis
Response from Gene:
I don't have a clue what it means and strongly suspect neither do you.
I really do not have a question; I just would like to mention that your show Family Jewels is hysterical. And this coming from a person who despises reality television. I happened upon an episode by mistake and can’t get enough of it. If someone told me 25 years ago while I was watching Kiss on stage that I would be rolling in laughter in my living room watching you and your wonderful family tackle life’s surprises, I would have poured my beer on them.
Thanks again and hope A&E realizes what a “gem” – pun intended – they have.
Much Respect
Susanne Happel
Hi Gene,
I saw you on The Early Show and you look great! (Not that you normally don't, but you know what I mean.) Also, I love your website, and admire the fact that even though you can't answer all the letters that are sent to you, you do post some of them and even give a response if one is needed. (That's one of my favorite things about you!) Keep up the awesome job (the word "good" just doesn't fit there"), and I'll be sure to be watching Family Jewels every Sunday! Oh, I almost forgot what I wanted to ask you, (when you have time) do you watch any of the other shows that are on A&E? Just wondered.
From (one of many) KISS fans from PA,
Corinne
Response from Gene:
Check out INTERVENTION.
Dear Gene Simmons,
Does Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism have anything to do with your love for yourself, your family, your band, your businesses and capitalism in general? Have you read 'Atlas Shrugged' and if so, did the book have a large and lasting impact on you when you? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
John Brooks Satterberg, Jr.
Response from Gene:
Correct. Atlas Shrugged. Read it. And get a read of Anthem.
Gene:
Love the show. Your family dynamic is awesome and refreshing.
Now to the reason for this brief missive. Why is it so difficult for people to understand the difference between a venture capitalist and a commodity? DO they not understand that you don’t bankroll other people’s dreams, but market yourself in a way that helps make their businesses (and yourself) wildly successful? Do any of these letters asking for 5 minutes of your time to listen to an idea in which you might want to invest make you scratch your head and think “wtf do I have to do to get these morons to understand?”
Just curious.
Rock on, God of Rock!!
Tom
Response from Gene:
Thanks for the kind words. But, I never think people with ideas are 'morons.' Far from it. Everything starts with an idea. Unfortunately, if that's where you stop, nothing happens. The difference between world shakers and everyone is that they DO something with their ideas, not simply say "Hey, I have a brilliant idea!!!"
Gene,
First of all I do admire and agree with SOME of the things you do and belive in.
But as for the of loving money? I do not agree. You can like money and sure you do need some money to be able to live and eat and not be on the streets but to love money I think is purely nuts I myself came from a poor childhood background and I don't belive in loving money. No one needs millions or even billions of dollars to live nicely in this country. You did'nt need a facelift for godsakes I wonder who in the hell made you think you did. But I guess money makes people do some stupid things. You like the rest of Beverly Hills are shallow. But anyways I am sure your kids will love all the cash you leave to them in the end. So you just keep knocking yourself out being a slave to your god.
P.S. One good thing you have done with your money is to take care of your mother for that you get a gold star.
Chris
Response from Gene:
I couldn't disagree more with you. Ask the poorest people in the world (in Africa, for instance) what the most important thing in life is. If a robber points a gun to your head, what might be the only thing that would save your life -- an inspirational message, or money and lots of it.
And as for money not being able to buy happiness: Let's put it this way. If you're a miserable son of a bitch, it's still better to be a rich miserable son of a bitch.
That's life. I didn't invent the rules. I simply recognize them.
Les 10 divorces de célébrités les plus coûteux selon Forbes.com
Michael et Juanita Jordan ˆ en instance de divorce, probablement plus de 150M$US
Neil Diamond et Marcia Murphey ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 150M$US
Steven Spielberg et Amy Irving ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 100M$US
Harrison Ford et Melissa Mathison ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 85M$US
Kevin Costner et Cindy Silva ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 80M$US
Paul McCartney et Heather Mills ˆ en instance de divorce, probablement plus de 60M$US
James Cameron et Linda Hamilton ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 50M$US
Michael et Diandra Douglas ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 45M$US
Lionel et Diane Richie ˆ valeur du règlement estimée à 20M$US
Mick Jagger et Jerry Hall ˆ valeur du règlement estimée entre 15 et 25M$US
Koko Pelletier
Response from Gene:
In any language, here is the reason for ALL MEN NEVER TO GET MARRIED...and here is also, a reason for ALL WOMEN SHOULD GET MARRIED (as often as they can and get divorced as often as you can and as fast as you can)....What's good for her is not good for him.
Gene,
It's been four months since I drank alcohol, and it's amazing how much clarity and sanity I've found without it.
You were a big influence on me while I was in high school (both as a musician and performer as well as a person.) The fact that you'd never been high or drunk gave me as good a reason to stay sober as any. It didn't last though. I fell into the traps that are unfortunately a part of American life and alcohol became a big part of mine for too many years. Sure I partied and had a good time, or did I?
Over the years it cost me a lot of money ('cause I drank the 'good' stuff,) wrecked my health (physically and mentally,) and put me at risk of jail, injury, death or maybe even worse. In January of this year, I'd had enough. It was like a switch was thrown inside my head and I no longer wanted to even be around it, let alone drink it. I was tired of being sluggish and sick, tired of planning my life around it and most of all, tired of having a 'crutch' to help me get through the week. I was genuinely pissed off at all the self-destruction I'd inflicted on myself. I consider myself lucky to be alive. I'm also lucky to have a loving and supportive girlfriend but honestly, I don't find myself struggling to cope with this newfound sober lifestyle. It's working naturally like life should. Food tastes better, music sounds better, sex feels better (not the cheap, meaningless kind either!) and my outlook on life is better as well.
I applaud you for staying sober throughout all those years in the music business. I followed your example while in high school, I wish I'd followed it all along. KISS was, is, and always will be about personal empowerment as much as entertainment. No, it wasn't Gene Simmons or KISS that made me decide to clean up and move forward but I still feel the need to say thanks, because even after all these years (20+) of being a KISS fan you (and the others in the band as well) continue to inspire me to be the best I can. Thank you.
Regards,
Joe Eversole
Lexington, KY
Rest In Peace Mark St. John
Response from Gene:
A note to everyone, get rid of the drinkers in your life. Same message for anyone using drugs around you. They will suck the life out of you like a vampire. If they don't have enough self respect to get their life in order, they surely don't care about yours. Get rid of losers.
Gene,
My gut feeling tells me it was you I talked with at the signal light in Stockton. Wish I would have stopped to talk with you more.
I was in shock that you would be in town and that I really was seeing you in person.
I was nervous but wanted to tell you what a wonderful person you are and I love to watch your family show.
All the best to you and your family,
Thanks for the couple minutes we talked!
wish it could have been more!
Sheryl
Response from Gene:
My apologies, but I am not sure I have any idea where or what Stockton is. However, I DO wish you well.
