Gene Simmons on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

www.cbc.ca/thehour
The Gene Simmons you know now - cuddly TV dad, savvy businessman and rock star is pretty different from the Gene Simmons that rose to fame in the 70's. Back then, KISS freaked people out - big time. They sold millions of records and toured endlessly - sweating it out in greasepaint and leather. But KISS are more than just a band, they're a brand. KISS fans can buy t-shirts, comic books, toys, even a Kiss Koffin. The marketing of KISS changed the music biz and the resident genius-slash-showman is Gene. He might breathe fire and spit blood but he's also got his warm and fuzzy side. He's been happily "unmarried" to Shannon Tweed for more than 20 years. They have a son Nick, a daughter Sophie and a reality show called 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels.'

[@kindadrunker]

Easiest interview ever for George, just ask Gene how he's doing and sit back for 17 minutes and he'll tell ya.

[@stevenwagner6592]

that's a man that's completely & totally in love & obsessed with himself

[@jojojoannnnne]

"You have such lovely eyes; do you take your glasses off?" "You have such lovely legs; take your pants off." Fucking priceless.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Fascinating man, the 17 minutes went by like it was 2. Very inspirational.

[@akcasama]

George is impeccable at ending interviews within 3 seconds.

[@skaface32]

gene invented oxygen and gravity,,,hes so amazing

[@talkinghead22]

Amazing interview. This is easily one of the best yet.

[@kozes]

i like how gene didnt stop talking. he has so much to say

[@InvestorLifestyle]

Gene is Awesome, I learn something new everytime I hear the man speaking

[@yeetfeet1878]

Haha sorry I replied on the wrong comment

[@kuriaki71]

that was some awesome footage in opening clip

[@MagnumPEI1]

Hmmm, never ever heard anymore of that band name and dont remember that reality series. So much for his super purchase power!

[@am15101989]

Gotta love George!!!

[@AustinMartini607]

John Lennon was actually the first person to use the "devil horns" on an album cover and in photos, Yellow Submarine soundtrack 1968

[@HELLOHELLO-ws1us]

Gene is a classic psychopath personality in love with himself and in love with power.

[@UnbeltedSundew]

Whoa, an interview with a hot bag of air. Fascinating.

[@MrROTD]

back in 79 when I was a kid playing air guitar to KISS records I never could have predicted I'd be watching Gene Simmons without make-up, on a computer through the cable system talking about his TV show featuring his family.

[@ItaloCanadese]

One of the very few interviews that George lost control. Gene played it well. The more you talk, the less uncomfortable questions you will be asked.

[@blankz121]

wow pretty awesome interview

[@boaterbil]

You have to hand it to him. He is a marketing genius. And He speaks from the heart mostly. I admire his demeanor

[@afeefasmoideen2352]

Gene simmons was born on my birthday 25 august #25thaug #25thauggang

[@mooch514]

YES ,,dio was in elf,,,but it was a small band and virtually not known,,,,rainbow came out later than kiss ....gene has this sign from the early days of kiss...

[@OSUalum41]

@orangeambience: If you go back and look at the picture folder from KISS Alive!, you'll see a picture of Gene doing the "horns" in 1975.

[@Tommyskylarr]

Well say all you want about Gene but he's being honest by saying "I love money because it will take me me everywhere and get me what I want in life". You can say he's full of himself (and he is) but he's not pretending to be someone else, he's himself and doesn't play games, I respect that.

[@annanydegger8795]

Tommy Skylar You said it very well!! That's why I like, admire and respect Gene because he's not a LIAR and doesn't pretend to be someone he's not.

[@D1TemplarKnight]

Amen brother...

[@TAG037]

Dio said it best when he said "Gene Simmons may say that he invented it but then again, Gene invented breathing and shoes"

[@isadv3]

Damn, I love this Man!!

[@diamonddust22]

Stursa666 thanks so much for your kind support my friend.

[@negtype13]

Preach on.....Bro!!! .........

[@libbycosner930]

Marketing doesn't have to be deceptive. And in this case it isn't. Everything with the KISS logo on it is high quality, which is why they are so successful at merchandising - this isn't dollar store crap that's going to fall apart. KISS merchandise is meant to last, which is why so many people collect it, either for personal use or investment.

[@am15101989]

@KingKook you said that perfectly. I absolutely agree.

[@mrbuster1964]

Dio, started doing the devil horns in 1978 or '79 ONLY after joining Black Sabbath. He wanted to do something like Ozzy (who he replaced) who was giving the Peace sign. Gene was doing it as far back as 1976! On the cover of Love Gun (1977) he is doing it although his hand is dropped. But to really go back (although it never caught on) look at John Lennon on the cover of Yellow Submarine. But Gene is the one who brought to the Rock'n Roll arena!!! In Sign Language it means "I LOVE YOU"!

[@robonez]

That sign is very old, and variations with or without the thumb sticking out, has various meanings in various cultures and settings. In Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Dracula', the sign is described as a hand gesture used as a guard against an 'Evil Eye', which is what Ronnie Dio spoke of as well. His mother used the gesture from time to time, to protect herself against people who gave her the evil eye. It's also the sign language hand gesture for "I love you", with the thumb stretched out.

[@mikevoss2797]

Ronnie James dio was the inavator of the horns

[@louisborselio8608]

Gene was doing the horns in the 70's. Dio did the horns publicly in the 80's. The horns have been around long before either one of them were born.

[@yeetfeet1878]

@@louisborselio8608 actually Dio has been doing it ever since he was six.

[@lovegungoodfun]

Id have to say they both did!! They both came up with the idea in diff ways !!

[@lleo11]

@TeilerTeiler i heard it began when some band i have no idea which was performing live and the guitarist was waving at someone and held the pick with the two middle fingers and his thumb and the audience all of a sudden started doing it too and became a rock symbol.

[@Stursa666]

I agree 100%

[@BlackVSV6]

I have and have read all Gene's books, watched interview after interview with Gene. I used to love the guy, but in the end all I hear is "I can make money doing this or that". Money, money, money, I have the rights to the money bag, I have the rights to the Axe "Blah blah blah". KISS is and will always be the greatest band,

[@ChuckLikesCarrots]

No. Dio first used it in 1979, Simmons was first filmed giving it in 1975, but Geezer Butler had been using it since the late 60s ;)

[@Yellowtable101]

clearly a brilliant guy!...awesome!

[@cellardoor111]

down with webster is amaazing. there were a bunch of label people at their show at the rivoli last week.

[@BobGeorgiouTO]

The first thing he talks about is how 'invented' the devil horns. It's like he doesn't think people believe him or something...

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

@kmsmith1210 do you watch the show and see his mother?

[@wickedcurve]

As Gene was describing what happened when he showed his mother his 'first' ten million dollar check and she said, 'Wonderful, now what are you going to do?'. I tend to agree with how George intepreted what she said @ 13:15 versus what Gene thought she meant @ 13:30.

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

Once again, it's obvious you don't appreciate great rock 'n' roll. Don't try to deny some of their great songs.

[@KISSbestfan]

Wow KISS Coffin !

[@ianhitman]

@desmondchild43 he doesnt do the devil horns. he does the reverse spider-man hand symbol.

[@Zorn27]

KISS is so tame compared to todays stuff. And you gotta like Gene Simmons :D

[@34thRuler]

this is why i like kiss he talks good about canada im canadian and i know so many people talk bad about canada p.s. gene make me a star i can sing and same tongue as you but im only 12

[@letsif]

Showbizz baby!

[@OSUalum41]

Actually, if you look at the picture book that came with ALIVE!, you'll see a picture of Gene doing it in 1975.

[@loveperezhilton]

The Band is Down With The Webster! they are amazing check them out on myspace/youtube!

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

@marslife01 early 80's when i was in elementary school-one girl had a KISS lunchbox, the other had a bee gees...

[@jaybennett603]

Gene an the guys are awesome Kiss is the best True Legends . Screw all the ppl talking crap.

[@libbycosner930]

Amen

[@ZachJohnsonMusicReviews]

10:28 fail...he was asking about Family Jewels not The Hour.

[@BOBBYSOX86]

Hey Gene, l'm still waiting on 'Down with Webster'....maybe next century they will hit big

[@FortKnox69]

I would love to see a discussion about rock music and its history between Gene, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy, Dee Snider, and Robert Plant. I bet that would be some interesting conversations on who is great and had such influence. I mention Dee SNider because of his claim to fame with standing up for rock music against PMRC in the US Congress. Gene seems to be very smart and has been around the biz for a long time, but he sounds more of a salesman anymore and less about the music.

[@ACameronUK]

Yip, person below is correct - the gesture is much older than Gene Simmons and is called the mana cornuta, traditionally used to ward of the maloik or evil eye :)

[@Progressive90]

@muffirub it was John Lennon, he did this gesture in a photo session for the yellow submarine album

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

@KingKook you should see his son on the show...

[@tommy4162661670]

GENE FOR PRESIDENT..

[@billbenson2112]

Dio's version didnt have the extended thumb. Gene is right, I saw him do it in concert in 1978.

[@johnnysauceda6022]

ronnie james dio said he started the hand sign.

[@mooch514]

Gene and kiss were out before dio

[@AngelofAnguish]

As much as I love Kiss/Gene Simmons, I (have to) question his attitude toward or about "loving or enjoying what you do." In my opinion, you HAVE TO "LOVE or ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE DOING-REGARDLESS IF IT'S THE WEEKEND, a WEEKDAY, OR WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS." If you enjoy or love what you're enjoying, EVERYDAY is a HOLIDAY. When you can NO LONGER look forward to going to work. When you feel it's NO USE trying anymore, QUIT BEFORE YOU'RE FIRED.

[@wsiklogfh]

@yellingelk then strive and work smarter and harder, like he did

[@JunkyardKid]

yes! Once again, it all goes back to Sabbath.

[@mico2020]

i was getting pissed by his showing off at the beginning but once he started talking to about his i realised the man deserves to show off

[@kissdrumr]

He's the best at everything he does including inventing metal.

[@yeetfeet1878]

He didn’t invent metal.

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

cvc report? huh? where is the full report?

[@ZachJohnsonMusicReviews]

The show is on Much not CBC

[@thomasmundahl]

I think jayou812 is right about the famous devil horns sign. It goes back more than a few century and yes, a variation of it was a sign to ward off evil. This is what I have read anyway. I am not an expert on the subject though.

[@afortson61364]

Whether he did or didn't invent the devil horn, who cares?! Gene is a master marketer and a shrewd business man. He has made millions from Kiss and his other business ventures. His philosophies on money and relationships are blunt, honest, and to the point. He's in one of the most successful bands int he world and has a wonderful, respectful family. He obviously is doing something right. So many people hate him, but so what. He's a genius in my eyes and I applaud hiim.

[@dazpatreg]

Ronnie was the first to do it though, it's supposed to be an old italian curse. Of course they could both have came up with it indipendently

[@lollipopfop]

I like him. He seems smart.

[@pydorourke]

Gene Rules!!!!!

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

watxch gene simmons family jewels and see his interaction with his mother...

[@TeilerTeiler]

Dio popularized the horns when he joined Black Sabbath in 1979, Gene did it on the cover of Kiss - Love Gun in 1977, John Lennon did it on The Beatles - Yellow Submarine albumcover in 1969. Dio did NOT create the devil's horn sign, neither did any other rockstar. It's an old symbol that with the times got associated with heavy metal.

[@wendileona]

Gene Simmons knows! The father of Spider-Man is Steve Ditko NOT effing Stan Lee. As per the Wiks: "A March 31, 1985 article in Circus by Ben Liemer states that Gene Simmons of Kiss was influenced by Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. in 1977 after watching Sister perform in Los Angeles. Blackie had come across a hand salute known as the corna in an occult book and had started using it during live performances." Dio's grandmother did the "malocchio" horns first...

[@wsiklogfh]

@yellingelk then strive and work smarter and harder, like he didi

[@dieorbedead]

true. Dio got the idea when he was a child, before spiderman even came around, his italian grandmother would point at people on the street with the "devil horns" in dissaprooval

[@libbycosner930]

You've obviously never sat and compared live video for hours on end... or heard When Lightning Strikes. Gene and Paul certainly do let Tommy (and Eric) be as original as they want to be, within KISS's style, obviously.

[@DKFellon]

Gene Simmons is one of the Greatest ever, bar none, Next to me that is. -dk

[@wakygee]

So.....is Down With Webster popular in Canada?

[@bullets4valentin98]

@desmondchild43 dio didnt dios grandma its called the molach and he just did that in a show watch that metal show

[@ianhitman]

Dio's grandmother invented it and Dio learnt it when he was about 6, so Simmons may not even have even been born when it was originally invented. I love KISS, but Simmons is a jack of all trades and a master of one. KISS.

[@beermetal2003]

Also,Blackie got it from the beatles

[@fantinlatourful]

Happy Birthday, Gene! (You kill me.)

[@ironblud]

Gene doesn’t do the devil horns. He signs “I love you”

[@libbycosner930]

KISS is great at marketing because the products are high quality and last. And yes, when a KISS Army member lowers themselves to impart wisdom, you should indeed feel honored. KISS absolutely cares for their fans, and has proved it over and over again, so I hardly need to go into that subject.

[@MagnumPEI1]

And never saw him take over the Cdn. Entertainment Industry in last 5 years

[@najtmer920]

Yeah, that's right.

[@wsiklogfh]

@yellingelk no it isn't all bout money with me believe it or not, and if i didn't understood what you're saying, enlighten me.

[@rathraven1313]

@thugproofclips I understand that. I tried drinking and smoking, but didn't form a habit. My point was Gene had a bad experience with drugs once. I think he would get more people understand his point about not doing drugs or alcohol if he mentained his bad experince with drugs.

[@libbycosner930]

There's a KISS decoder ring? I have KISS jewelry (even make it) but never heard of the decoder ring... that would be a collectable for sure. My mistake was that you would be able to understand my comment, lol.

[@Kendall2001]

What would a band have to do in this era to equal what KISS accomplished during their career as far as music, the merchandise, the celebrity status, the money they make, and the longevity KISS had? If you say it's impossible because the internet exists now and there is illegal downloading, that's a defeatist attitude. The question becomes how do we turn those negatives into positives? Gene Simmons makes an absolutely brilliant point about rappers making today's rock stars look like bums.

[@maureenwagg5305]

rock and roll is never going to be dead. it just changes with the times. I'm with Dio (Ronnie James that is) "Gene thinks he invented shoes and walking..." I laughed when Dio said that. Turns out it was invented in Sicily by Grandmothers warding off the evil eye. You can interpret it any way you want. I like "Up the Irons" cause I love Iron Maiden. Take your pick

[@OSUalum41]

Actually, if you go back and look at the pictures in Alive! you'll see Gene doing the horn thing. That was 1975. Dio started doing it when he joined Black Sabbath in 1980. Like it or not, Gene was first.

[@yeetfeet1878]

Nope Dio’s Grandma used to do it to him as a child and ever since he was 6 he was doing it.

[@smartcrookie]

*knows

[@Jayhawkblue]

I can add that Dio stated he invented it as well.