“Never underestimate the power of being popular in pop culture. You have to be able to do something. You can have a good seat at the restaurant, but you still have to pay for the meal. Fame is important, but to be rich is more important.”

Israeli and American musician and songwriter

Gene Simmons is an Israeli and American musician and songwriter, born in 1949. He is best known as the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the hard rock band he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Known on stage as “the Demon,” Simmons remained with Kiss from its formation in 1973 until the band’s retirement in 2023, alongside Stanley as a constant member. He is also known for his long tongue and for the reality series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which aired from 2006 to 2012. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss.