GENE SIMMONS: 'KISS Is Bigger Now Than It's Ever Been'

March 25, 2007

WESH.com recently conducted an interview with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

On the impact KISS still has on the world:

"Well actually KISS is bigger now than it's ever been. We're in 2,000 department stores with KISS fragrances and hair products. We have the KISS coffeehouse franchise in Myrtle Beach coming to New York and Chicago, the KISS CGI movie is already in the works with one of the studios. That will be a $210 million motion picture."

On the things KISS wouldn't be affiliated with:

"Crack, that's not a good one. Cigarettes, nothing to do with cigarettes. As far as I'm concerned, the rest should be a KISS world, and you should all be paying for the privilege of living here."

On KISS' former partnership with NASCAR:

"NASCAR came to KISS to brand one of their cars, actually, a few of them. We had a terrific three-, four-year relationship, but I am happy and proud to say that the Simmons Abramson marketing venture works with the Indy Racing League. Indy cars, they're the fastest cars on earth and in the nicest way with a tip of the hat to NASCAR, they'll leave them in the dust."

On the fact that it's been 10 years since they played in Orlando:

"We've all been busy, although this summer, KISS will be performing three outdoor shows of 50,000 in Wisconsin or places like that just because we want to. There's nothing left to prove to anybody and to be quite frank, we're not playing the game — we do what we want to do and when we're ready, we'll go back out on a full tour. There will be more tours."

On his "unmarried" partner of 23 years, Shannon Tweed:

"She should be teaching all the rest of you women how to stop torturing your guys," he said. 'Get out of the way when he's watching TV, don’t step in front of the TV set when he's dipping chips and watching the ball game. At this moment, all the millions of people, especially the guys who are listening go, 'Yeah, that's right!' None of us go shopping with you and get in the way, when you see a sale.'"

Watch WESH.com's video interview with Gene Simmons at this location.

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