GENE SIMMONS
Gene was born Chaim Witz after his father on August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel. He later changed his name to Gene Klein upon entering the U.S. His mother Florence is a former concentration camp survivor. Gene was an only child. His parents are divorced. He and his mother moved to Queens, NY when Gene was nine years old. During his teen years, Gene published comic books and horror fanzines. He began in music as a guitar player. He later switched to bass, because of his fasination with the beatles and Paul McCartney. Many people may not be aware, but Gene earned a teacher's degree from Richmond College in Staten Island, NY. He taught english in a public school in Spanish Harlem for six months. Before going into music, Gene was an editorial assistant for Vogue and Glamour magazines. In 1972, he and Paul Stanley formed the band Wicked Lester, later changed to KISS. Gene has been with KISS from 1972 until the present. As a gimmick, Gene learned to spit fire from a magician named Amaze-O. He has set his hair on fire seven times. Gene has acted as well. His movie roles include,"Runaway", "Never Too Young To Die", "Wanted Dead Or Alive", and "Red Surf". He is also credited with discovering such acts as Van Halen, Cinderella, and Angel. He lists The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, British Invasion, Motown as major influences. When asked about his marital status, Gene says he is single, eventhough he has been involve with actress/model Shannon Tweed for 12 years. They have two children, Nicholas(10) and Sophia (7).
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