The name Gene Simmons refers to two artists: the rock-icon and member of the rock band KISS, and an American rockabilly artist. For the rockabilly artist, see also Jumpin' Gene Simmons. The rock icon Gene Simmons (born Chaim Klein Witz on August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel) is the performer and entertainment mogul best known as "The Demon"- his blood spitting, fire breathing, tongue-wagging persona in the rock band KISS. He's parents are jewish from Hungary. ...show more

The name Gene Simmons refers to two artists: the rock-icon and member of the rock band KISS, and an American rockabilly artist. For the rockabilly artist, see also Jumpin' Gene Simmons. The rock icon Gene Simmons (born Chaim Klein Witz on August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel) is the performer and entertainment mogul best known as "The Demon"- his blood spitting, fire breathing, tongue-wagging persona in the rock band KISS. He's parents are jewish from Hungary.

He plays bass guitar and sings. Simmons currently lives in Beverly Hills, California with his long time partner Shannon Tweed and their two children, Nicholas and Sophie. Simmons claims he has had sex with over 4,600 women. However in a 2004 documentary on The Biography Channel, his partner claimed that such statements were made for publicity reasons and are in fact not true --------------- The rockabilly star Gene Simmons was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1958.

While playing different clubs in the Memphis area in his early years, Gene's unique style and down to earth manner caught the prized attention of Sam Phillips, owner of the infamous "Sun Records" company. It would just be a matter of days before the fast-acting Sam Phillips would add Gene to his impressive list of stars signed with Sun Records: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Charlie Rich. As his musical career was continuing to develop, Gene was approached and joined the famous "Bill Black Combo" as lead singer. Together, the Combo gained national attention and made appearances on popular television shows which, of course, included "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "American Bandstand." Their performances continued to gain favor with the public until the untimely death of Bill Black. ...show less