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Gene Simmons on What Nobody Tells You About Being Famous

Hollywood Raw

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Gene Simmons gets completely unfiltered about more than 50 years of fame, money, celebrity culture and building the KISS empire. The rock legend tells Dax Holt and Adam Glyn why he believes celebrities are paid “hideously too much,” explains why there’s no such thing as having enough money, reveals how KISS continues making money long after its final tour, and opens up about the decision to sell the legendary KISS brand. Simmons also reveals some of the surprising names in his phone, including Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, shares the one person who genuinely left him starstruck, explains why he stayed away from drugs and alcohol throughout his career, and reveals some of the craziest KISS merchandise ever created. It’s an unfiltered conversation with one of rock’s biggest personalities on the Hollywood Raw Podcast with Dax Holt and Adam Glyn.

Hosted by entertainment news veteran Dax Holt and NYC photojournalist Adam Glyn.

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00:00 Gene Simmons on 50 Years of Fame and Celebrity Culture
05:15 Gene Simmons Says the Music Industry Is Broken
10:53 The One Person Who Left Gene Simmons Starstruck
12:17 How KISS Built a Massive Merchandising Empire
15:34 Why Gene Simmons Never Did Drugs or Alcohol
19:44 Gene Simmons on Money, Wealth and “How Much Is Enough?”
23:01 Inside Gene Simmons’ Houses, Cars and Family Lifestyle
29:10 Gene Simmons on Selling KISS and the Future of the Band
32:47 What Celebrities Are Really Like Behind the Public Image
34:25 Gene Simmons Reveals Elon Musk Is in His Phone
37:09 Gene Simmons on Life, Death and Making Every Day Count
38:43 The Craziest KISS Merchandise Ever Made
41:30 Dax Holt and Adam Glyn React to Gene Simmons

20 Comments

@sperry323 2 weeks ago

I saw Gene and the rest of Kiss as a kid in the 70’s as my mom and I were walking in 100 Oaks mall in TN and they were headed for the door, they were all staring at me wearing their makeup and all, and I came super close to saying something to them but I didn’t want to bother them. I regret that because I was around 10 and I felt like they thought they were scaring me, but in fact I was a fan and still am! I also appreciate what Gene said about the fighting traffic thing getting to work because I am sooooo over it!!!

@RonStewart-g1t 3 weeks ago

I love Gene! But Nobody, literally nobody took themselves more seriously than Gene back in the day. I think he's finally realized that life is short, and he's closer to the end than the beginning. He's also rich beyond belief so I'm sure that helps speaking you're mind and not caring what anybody thinks. Good for Gene.

@scottrap 2 weeks ago

Gene has been doing that “gymnasium” joke for 30 years now.

@GG-hj6kg 3 weeks ago

I enjoyed your interview with Gene Simmons!

@missMoonnfire 2 weeks ago

Regarding Van Halen and the rider with the m&m colors. I recently saw an interview where they were discussing that and they said that the massive amount of equipment needed to be stacked a certain way for safety and they created a thick booklet with instructions in it and added that m&m bit in the middle. They knew i they showed up and the m&ms weren't sorted correctly that the people didn't bother to follow the instructions which is why they didn't want to do the show

@joshdance9959 3 weeks ago

Gene has a very practical way of looking at life, which is Super cool and very refreshing. A nice interview, thanks 🎸

@DirkGibson-s3b 3 weeks ago (edited)

Gene such a humble very down to earth and nice person he wasn't like that in his early years, I really respect Jean I think he's matured as a human being quite well ,quite the guy, very funny and witty too, great sense of humor a wonderful family man and musician and businessman ! Thank you Gene !😮😊

@ACCreationFilmStudio 3 weeks ago (edited)

If you do another interview with Gene Simmons or the other members of Kiss, can you ask them the story behind the song "Reason To Live." It's a beautiful song and was it about somebody in particular or did it just all flow out when working on the song? I enjoyed the interview by the way! You all were awesome!

@jamesreding6336 2 weeks ago

Great interview

@Justiceforanimalabuse 3 weeks ago (edited)

Great interview. Gene sure loves Gene. I thought you both did a solid interview

@jamesreding6336 2 weeks ago

Peace to everyone and stay safe 🙏

@joeyprefontaine8044 3 weeks ago

Gene Audio keeps cutting in and out and I gave up listening. This would be a great interview if the audio was better.

@justincase2271 3 weeks ago

Couldn’t watch this till the end because of the bad audio.

@freetob1 3 weeks ago

I love Gene Simmons for his MORALS and his Ethics, of course his music. He is Wonderful and he gives his wife and family everything and works very hard to do so. God Bless You Gene Simmons!!!