Editing Gene Simmons (section)

==Career==
===Kiss===
[[File:Gene Simmons au Hellfest 2023.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Gene Simmons in his makeup, 2023]]
Simmons became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed the Missing Links, when he was 15 in 1964–5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Missing Links |url=https://kissbandstree.com/band.php?a=the_missing_links |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=kissbandstree.com |language=en}}</ref> Eventually, he disbanded the band to form the Long Island Sounds, the name being a pun on the [[Long Island Sound]]. In this band was also future Wicked Lester guitarist [[Stephen Coronel|Steve Coronel]], and future lawyer/author Alan Stuart Graf who convinced Simmons to buy his first bass as the band needed a bass player.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Richard |date=2014-12-01 |title=Old pal says Gene Simmons would 'KISS' and tell {{!}} Page Six |url=https://pagesix.com/2014/12/01/old-pal-gene-simmons-bragged-about-conquests/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1967, after losing Graf the band morphed into The Love Bag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Love Bag |url=https://kissbandstree.com/band.php?a=the_love_bag |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=kissbandstree.com |language=en}}</ref> While he played in these bands, he worked at odd jobs on the side to make more money, including trading used comic books.

From 1968 to 1970 Simmons attended [[Sullivan County Community College]] in [[Loch Sheldrake, New York|Loch Sheldrake]], New York for two years. He joined a new band, Bullfrog Bheer, and the band recorded various home demos including ''Leeta''; this was later included on the Kiss box set. The band existed until 1970 with various line-ups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bullfrog Bheer #1 |url=https://kissbandstree.com/band.php?a=the_bullfrog_bheer_1 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=kissbandstree.com |language=en}}</ref>

Simmons, Coronel and Brooke Ostrander who was in their 1969 band Coffee<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coffee |url=https://kissbandstree.com/band.php?a=coffee |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=kissbandstree.com |language=en}}</ref> formed the rock band first known as Rainbow and later [[Wicked Lester]] in the early 1970 with Stanley Eisen (now known as [[Paul Stanley]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rainbow #1 |url=https://kissbandstree.com/band.php?a=rainbow_1 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=kissbandstree.com |language=en}}</ref> and recorded one album, which was never released in its entirety. Dissatisfied with Wicked Lester's sound and look, Simmons and Stanley attempted to fire their band members. Met with resistance, they instead quit Wicked Lester, walking away from their record deal with [[Epic Records]], as they decided to form the "ultimate rock band" in its place. Looking for a drummer, Simmons and Stanley found an ad placed by George Peter John Criscuola (known as [[Peter Criss]]), who was playing clubs in [[Brooklyn]] at the time; they joined and started out as a trio.

During this time, Criss and Simmons also appeared on an unreleased album by Captain Sanity together with members from Criss' previous band Chelsea. Paul Frehley (better known as [[Ace Frehley]]) responded to an ad they put in ''[[The Village Voice]]'' for a lead guitar player, and soon joined them. [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] released their self-titled debut album in February 1974. Stanley took on the role of lead performer on stage, while Simmons became the driving force behind what became an extensive [[Kiss merchandising]] [[exclusive right|franchise]]. The eye section of his "Demon" makeup with Kiss came from the wing design of comic book character [[Black Bolt]].<ref>KISS bassist Gene Simmons said on an episode of his television show Gene Simmons Family Jewels that he is a big comic book fan, with the bat-like "wings" in his "Demon" persona costume being modelled after those worn by Black Bolt [http://www.livedash.com/transcript/gene_simmons_family_jewels-(under_the_knife_)/6120/AETVP/Wednesday_November_3_2010/328010/ Gene Simmons Family Jewels – Under the Knife? – Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010 – mReplay Livedash TV Transcript – Livedash – Search what is being mentioned across national TV] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009170844/http://www.livedash.com/transcript/gene_simmons_family_jewels-%28under_the_knife_%29/6120/AETVP/Wednesday_November_3_2010/328010/ |date=October 9, 2011}}. Livedash. Retrieved February 1, 2011.</ref>
[[File:KISS devil face.svg|thumb|left|120px|Simmons's ''Demon'' make-up]]
In 1983, when Kiss's fame was waning, the members took off their trademark make-up and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity that continued into the 1990s. At this time, Peter Criss, the original drummer, was voted out of the band, and a replacement was sought to fill his vacancy. The new drummer was Paul Charles Caravello, who went by the stage name of [[Eric Carr]], and played for Kiss from 1980 until his death in 1991. The band hosted its own fan conventions in 1995, and fan feedback about the original Kiss members reunion influenced the highly successful 1996–1997 Alive Worldwide reunion tour. In 1998, the band released ''[[Psycho Circus]]''. Since then, the original lineup has once again dissolved, with [[Tommy Thayer]] replacing Ace Frehley on lead guitar and [[Eric Singer]] (who performed with Kiss from 1991 through 1996) replacing Peter Criss on drums.

===Film and television===
Simmons has been involved with such television projects as:
*''[[My Dad the Rock Star]],'' a cartoon by the Canadian animation company [[Nelvana]], about the mild mannered son of a Gene Simmons-like rock star
*''[[Mr. Romance]]'', a show created and hosted by Simmons on the [[Oxygen (TV network)|Oxygen]] cable television channel
*''[[Rock School]]'', a UK reality show in which Simmons tries to make a rock band out of a group of students of [[Christ's Hospital School]] in the first season, and in the second, a group of kids from a comprehensive school in [[Lowestoft]]
*''[[Gene Simmons Family Jewels]]'',<ref name=":1">[http://www.aetv.com/gene-simmons-family-jewels/ Gene Simmons Family Jewels – A&E TV]. Aetv.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.</ref> a reality show documenting the personal lives of Simmons, [[Shannon Tweed|his wife]], [[Nick Simmons|his son]] and daughter
*''[[Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery]]'', Gene Simmons and the other members of Kiss appear in this animated movie of Scooby Doo where the gang is attacked by a monster in a Kiss amusement park and Kiss saves them.
In 1978, Simmons appeared in a made-for-television movie, ''[[Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park]]''. 
 
In 1981, Simmons auditioned at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] for a role in a new [[Marcy Carsey]] produced show called Grotus and was offered his own TV show, which he declined as the pay was lower than what he made with Kiss at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gene Simmons' Kiss And Make-Up lets The Demon speak for himself |url=https://www.avclub.com/gene-simmons-kiss-and-make-up-lets-the-demon-speak-for-1798235404 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=AV Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1985, Simmons appeared on the TV series ''[[Miami Vice]]'' in an episode titled "The Prodigal Son". The episode served as the [[season premiere]] of the show's second season.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Serwer |first=Jesse |date=October 7, 2014 |title=Miami Sound Machine: 16 Best Musical Guest Stars on 'Miami Vice' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/miami-sound-machine-16-best-musical-guest-stars-on-miami-vice-155772/gene-simmons-the-prodigal-son-season-two-27833/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |location=New York City, United States  |access-date=April 27, 2019 }}</ref> Simmons appeared as a psychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in [[Venice, California]] on the American hidden camera prank TV series ''[[I Get That a Lot]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/2010-gene-simmons-poses-as-psychic-for-us-prank-show-news.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005105204/http://www.metrolyrics.com/2010-gene-simmons-poses-as-psychic-for-us-prank-show-news.html|archive-date=October 5, 2010|url-status=unfit|title=Gene Simmons poses as psychic for US prank show|date=January 7, 2010|access-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref> He also guest-starred as himself in the 2014 ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' episode ''Long Road Home''.

Simmons performed in the 1984 [[Michael Crichton]] thriller ''[[Runaway (1984 film)|Runaway]]'' starring [[Tom Selleck]], [[Cynthia Rhodes]] and [[Kirstie Alley]] as well as the 1987 [[Gary Sherman (director)|Gary Sherman]] action film ''[[Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987 film)|Wanted: Dead or Alive]]'' starring [[Rutger Hauer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094293/|title=Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)|website=[[IMDb]]|date=January 16, 1987|access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>

In 2004, Simmons also appeared in the TV series ''[[Third Watch]]'' for two episodes. He played Mob Kingpin Donald Mann in the season 5 finale and the season 6 premiere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0720945/|title=Third Watch (1999-2005) Episode 22/s5 "Monsters"|website=[[IMDb]]|date=May 7, 2004|access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref>

In March 2015, Simmons founded the film production company Erebus Pictures<ref>{{cite news| title = WWE and Gene Simmons Launch Genre Label; First Film Project Announced – Temple| url = http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/94783/wwe-and-gene-simmons-launch-genre-label-first-film-project-announced-temple/| publisher=Dread Central| date = March 27, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref> and announced as the first project the Horror-thriller film ''[[Armed Response (2017 film)|Armed Response]]''.<ref>{{cite news| title = If Gene Simmons and WWE's 'Temple' Is Good, I'll Eat This Article!| url = http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3337809/gene-simmons-wwes-temple-good-ill-eat-article/| publisher=Bloody Disgusting| date = March 27, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>

In 2022, Simmons became a judge of the talent competition show ''Yoshiki Superstar Project X'', airing on [[Hulu]] Japan and produced by Japanese musician and composer [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=編集部 |title=「YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X」次のステージへ進む通過メンバー８人を公開 |url=https://www.musicvoice.jp/news/242862/ |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=MusicVoice |language=ja}}</ref> On September 14, 2023, Simmons was one of the guest speakers chosen to introduce Yoshiki at his imprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2023 |title=Yoshiki to Leave Handprints at Chinese Theatre |url=https://americansongwriter.com/yoshiki-to-leave-handprints-at-chinese-theatre/ |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=American Songwriter |last=Houghton|first=Cillea|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Other projects===
Simmons had his own magazine, ''Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine'', his own label, Simmons Records, and animated series, ''[[My Dad the Rock Star]]''. Simmons Records has released albums by such bands as [[Kobra and the Lotus]], Silent Rage, Gypsy Rose and [[House of Lords (band)|House of Lords]] as well as Gene's own solo releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/171919-Simmons-Records|title=Simmons Records|website=Discogs|language=en|accessdate=October 27, 2019}}</ref>

In 1976–77, Simmons signed a management and production contract with the band [[Van Halen]]. He produced a Van Halen demo tape and attempted to find a record deal for the band with a variety of major record labels. When no deal materialized, he released them from their contract.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

In the 1980s, Simmons produced albums by bands including [[Keel (band)|Keel]], [[Wendy O. Williams]], [[Black 'n Blue|Black'N Blue]] and [[Doro (musician)|Doro]].

In 1989, Simmons managed the recording side of [[Liza Minnelli]]'s entry into mainstream pop.<ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |title=The Pop Life |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/23/arts/the-pop-life-839589.html |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 23, 1989 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref>

In 2002, Simmons launched ''Gene Simmons' Tongue'', a men's lifestyle magazine.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/08/28/DD82104.DTL Tongue is cheeky/Kiss' Gene Simmons combines sex, showmanship in his men's magazine]. Sfgate.com (August 28, 2002); retrieved February 1, 2011.</ref> The magazine lasted five issues before being discontinued.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

From 2006 to 2008, Simmons served in a marketing and publicity role with the [[IndyCar Series|Indy Racing League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=IRL Forms Innovative Marketing Agreement With Gene Simmons & Richard Abramson|publisher=GeneSimmons.com|url=http://www.genesimmons.com/pages/sam/index.html|access-date=August 23, 2010|date=January 10, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110221922/http://www.genesimmons.com/pages/sam/index.html|archive-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, Simmons headlined the Rock N Roll All Stars tour which performed in stadiums across South America. The project also featured several other Rock N Roll Hall of Famers including Def Leppard's Joe Elliot, Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan & Matt Sorum and Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes as well as Billy Idol's Steve Stevens, Collective Soul's Ed Rolland, Sebastian Bach, Alice in Chain's Mike Inez and the Cult's Billy Duffy. On March 1, 2012, the line up and the tour was revealed at a news conference hosted by Promoter Gabe Reed at the Roxy theater in Hollywood, CA. Simmons was in attendance and the entire news conference and subsequent tour was featured on Simmons Family Jewels' series finale episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/duff-mckagan-matt-sorum-gene-simmons-at-rock-n-roll-allstars-press-conference-video/|title=DUFF MCKAGAN, MATT SORUM, GENE SIMMONS At 'Rock 'N' Roll Allstars' Press Conference (Video)|date=March 3, 2012|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>

In 2012, Simmons partnered with Paul Stanley and three other investors to form the restaurant franchise [[Rock & Brews]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

In August 2013, Simmons, [[Paul Stanley]] and manager [[Doc McGhee]] became a part of the ownership group that created the [[Los Angeles Kiss|LA Kiss]] [[Arena Football League]] team, which played their home games at the [[Honda Center]] in [[Anaheim, California]]. The team has since folded.

In 2017, Simmons launched "The Vault" which is a compilation of all of his major works selling for $2,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genesimmonsvault.com/|title=HOME {{!}} Gene Simmons Vault|website=genesimmonsvault.com|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, Simmons was named "Chief Evangelist Officer" of the Canadian [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] company Invictus MD Strategies.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Siebert|first1=Amanda|title=Vancouver cannabis company hires straight-edge Gene Simmons as celebrity spokesperson|url=https://www.straight.com/cannabis/1045896/vancouver-cannabis-company-hires-straight-edge-gene-simmons-celebrity-spokesperson|access-date=May 24, 2018|work=The Georgia Straight|date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708104326/https://www.straight.com/cannabis/1045896/vancouver-cannabis-company-hires-straight-edge-gene-simmons-celebrity-spokesperson|archive-date=July 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Simmons also holds a large investment stake in the company.<ref>{{cite news|title=GENE SIMMONS Was 'Astonished To Find Out The Medicinal Value' Of Cannabis|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/gene-simmons-was-astonished-to-find-out-the-medicinal-value-of-cannabis/|access-date=May 24, 2018|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 17, 2018}}</ref>