Gene Simmons On Why He's Never Been Drunk Or High

Gene Simmons shares his thoughts on drugs & alcohol.

[@Mr.Pop0]

Imagine doing what he's done and being sober through all of it.

[@andreaslandgren1681]

XD

[@widowmacher]

nope it's not possible 😄

[@darrellkramer8097]

And most likely, he’ll remember all of it.

[@stevehorspool2969]

He's lying through his tiny schmeckel

[@georgedavies5752]

Yea.... imagine that

[@TT-hi1qv]

I have always respected him for his sobriety but his personality is another story!

[@joshburns4611]

Right! It drives me nuts the way he criticizes people who do drink and do drugs.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

@@joshburns4611 Yeah, that’s not the way to act. If anything, you turn people off to sobriety.

[@georgedavies5752]

He knows partying makes you not so handsome....lol

[@kylesmith9944]

I've been sober for 22 years and I can say that my life improved 100% because I stopped drinking. I wish I never touch the stuff. So I think Gene has a point!!!

[@HealthHorror]

We don't all have problems with it in order to require to go sober though. Many people can do it moderately and enjoy the light side of it. I feel like people assume drinking and getting high is only done by addicts. It isn't.

[@mudwiser1391]

Well done Sir... you are stronger than the bottle.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

@@HealthHorror True, but there are a hell of a lot of addicts out there that swear they are not addicts. Nobody ever got clarity from a bottle.

[@davidsuch8942]

​@@HealthHorror lmao. If you get high everyday, you're an addict.

[@HealthHorror]

@@davidsuch8942 Oh, you're one of those that brings in points that were never said, as if you read it somewhere but was really only in your own head. Where did anyone say I get high every day? I eat edibles only weekends, at night to destress and sleep deeply. You are proving my point where small minds think anyone that enjoys alcohol or weed are addicts, when many are NOT.

[@mcwhorter141mcwhorter8]

Gene knows who he is and doesn't back down or apologize for it and I respect that.

[@jameserickson6469]

True respect for a guy who’s done everything he’s accomplished, and never fell into the self destructive traps that many others in the industry have.👍

[@brentjeralds777]

His was sex not drugs

[@sharlenehuber4212]

Sex addiction is self destructive and nearly ruined his family

[@SPDFRK]

Gene Simmons is such a schmeckle.

[@dickdeeb6018]

Chaim WItz

[@joeblow5154]

As the late great WC Fields said " A woman drove me to drink and I didn't even have the decency to thank her."

[@joeaiden4894]

Ironically, chasing so much "tail" can be as dangerous as drugs. I highly doubt Gene wore rubber all the times he got laid. STDs can kill.

[@2011hwalker]

he is an moralizing idiot and his music absolutely sucked in retrospect.

[@leagueofotters2774]

He was chasing skirt all throughout the AIDs era.

[@dr.awkward9075]

I took a hit every time he said Schmeckle.

[@ernieball7567]

Gene has a point for sure. With that being said, everything is balance. Nothing wrong with having a drink if you know when to say when and the appropriate time to have a drink. Or, simply don’t ? Even “chasing skirt” as Gene says,.. can be somewhat of a vice or addiction. Everyone has different vices,.. drink, drugs, money, sex, work,. (Yes, I said work) again you have to find your balance. More importantly, hopefully those vices are not hurting the people around you. Family, friends etc..

[@andreaslandgren1681]

True he had sex. And it hurt his wife a lot.

[@Jarrodpimental]

What’s the point to having one drink though? If it does nothing then why not just have no drink.

[@vicvega3614]

@@andreaslandgren1681 im sure his wife had other guys around. Like Edward Furlong in Detroit rock city 🤟

[@username-zj9id]

Well, he didn't say he he's never drank. He said he's never been drunk. It doesn't always have to mean drinking to the point of not remembering anything the next day and throwing up. As you said, nothing wrong with it if you know when to stop.

[@vicvega3614]

@@username-zj9id well if u never drank 1 or 2 beers gets u wasted. I read that hes never tasted beer or any other alcohol or drug, not even 1 drop

[@HealthHorror]

If Simmons was a well-rounded guy who is respected by many, then he can tell us about how dumb it is to drink and get high. But his character is not good enough to be giving life advice. Also, chasing skirt also does not give you more money or success and costs money. At least some of us choose to do something that doesn't degrade another person.

[@joenichols3901]

Gene is truly a madman. Rockstar that is straight edge. It's genuinely insane.

[@hdrake1000]

So was Frank Zappa.

[@BST-lm4po]

Same with Ted Nugent

[@KOSMICKEN09]

Sex and rock and roll is enough for me

[@thelivingjed9676]

Same with Dee Snider

[@leagueofotters2774]

straight edge means that you don't engage in promiscuity as well....he most definitely is not straight edge.

[@richalderson6069]

Gene is always high on himself.

[@davidsuch8942]

Lmao. Spoken like a true addict who doesn't have any self love. Better to love yourself, than a substance

[@richalderson6069]

@@davidsuch8942 He's proof if you believe so.

[@willywonka4690]

That's why he's always high

[@bigdeal6852]

I'm sure Gene and Paul had a VERY hard time dealing with Ace and Criss's addiction's and problems.

[@tommywomack9530]

He’s a sex addict, and as much an addictive personality as I’ve ever met.

[@johnmiller5679]

Simmons is always selling. Carolla mentions the Kiss Kasket and Simmons says we sell them. Always trying to milk more Money. I respect them for their work ethic but has there ever been a band who milked so Little talent as Kiss has?

[@johnnyboy55]

And most of it from one average song. Sing one verse over and over. And over.

[@bahabobby8118]

Narcissist egomaniacs always need to be in control

[@jamiedavid8023]

Psycho&Sociopaths on the other hand are intimately related with drinking&drug use, as a catalyst for their impulsive tendencies.

[@itsmebran3805]

That's great he doesn't drink or take drugs. Adam's next question should have been: "How many types of hepatitis have you had ? Is that enjoyable ?"

[@Frankybeanselevators]

So did I understand correctly, he doesn't drink or do drugs cause it might get in the way of his sex addiction?

[@RobTheUndertaker]

Pretty much yes.

[@ambitionx1639]

Gene I truly believe psychedelic drugs could’ve taken your songwriting to another level of greatness

[@troythomas5803]

Agreed.

[@MABMGuitar]

And made him less of a dick.

[@Eye2Eye24]

Smoking a joint whilst listening. Calms my nerves from a life of poverty and war. But also for those of you who like to " chase skirt " endulge in the sin of lust just know that can ruin your life way quicker than any drug. Its like saying " i dont have any tattoos " which in my case i dont but i wouldn't chastise somebody with a body full of tattoos and say " you messed your life up " " do those tattoos give you super powers " " why would you destroy your body like that "

[@alansands256]

I think it was pretty easy to figure out what a "SCMECKLE" is? But thanks for the explanation anyway.

[@tylersherman9880]

Gene don’t overthink it. Just have a few drinks. It’s no big deal

[@danthealien8360]

Losing your mind and waking up feeling like shit with a chronic migraine for a whole day is no big deal? OK mate

[@BillBlazejowski]

@@danthealien8360 That's on you if you can't control yourself, mate.

[@danthealien8360]

@@BillBlazejowski that's what being drunk does to absolutely everybody though.

[@BillBlazejowski]

@@danthealien8360 Having a few drinks doesn't account to getting drunk.

[@danthealien8360]

@@BillBlazejowski fair point

[@ReeseChown]

He said in his book that he consumed pot brownies. Was that some kind of hidden message, Gene?

[@DionysusAlS]

I had pot brownies once and was feeling quite good after. So he can't even tell the truth about that. Sad.

[@ReeseChown]

@@DionysusAlS He's an investor in the pot business too! he's so full of sh1t 😂

[@travismoore8337]

Gene Simmons will be held accountable by the creator for encouraging and promoting careless, degenerate, and destructive behavior, whether he practices it or not. And so will anyone else who is a degenerate and destructive force on good people.

[@RevMikeBlack]

I'm no Gene Simmons fan, but I agree with him on drugs and alcohol. It IS possible to live well with being intoxicated.

[@prooveditt4839]

Gene seems like a real hoot to be around.

[@romangarcia608]

except he has been high; in Peter Cross’s book he told a story where GS accidentally ate some pot brownies and called him freaking out 😂

[@mannybravo237]

How could he not get a contact high from cannabis smoke filled arenas in all those 70s, 80s concerts?

[@joshblacker3512]

Contact high is not real, unless you were put in a box and forced to inhale it

[@ontarget7582]

Equally surprising is Nugent has never been drunk or high either. The Motor City Madman has been sober all his life. I didn't know Gene was also. Good for both of them

[@move_i_got_this5659]

Jack White has never done anything and before he was a singer he seriously though about being a priest.

[@Steven-lb4bl]

If you believe them

[@Nothingman88]

Nah, not completely accurate. On Joe Rogan's podcast Sweaty Teddy said he occasionally has a glass of wine.

[@ontarget7582]

@@Nothingman88 there's a huge difference between having a glass of wine with dinner and being a drunken addict. I'm sure you know that. ❤️

[@Nothingman88]

Of course I do💚. However, If people who, for example, are in AA were to have a glass of wine, they would most likely not consider themselves 'sober.' To me, sober is no consumption. That was my only point.

[@BrickUnit]

wisdom to live by "dont do drugs, but do listen to music by those who have done drugs"

[@2011hwalker]

KISS maybe should have done some drugs then their music wouldnt have sucked so much. I mean its really pretty bad looking back. So many bands from that era have dated well but KISS songs just are super average.

[@cameron1975williams]

Business man first, musician a distant second...and I mean distant. Love him.

[@jamescarter8311]

Gene is a brilliant musician. KISS has a catalog of great songs the size of which very few bands even come close to.

[@billsouza4457]

@@jamescarter8311 No... A VERY average musician at best with a band that had some pretty good songs but sported a killer look and live show.

[@cookingartguy2170]

No, but it does help with my severe chronic pain. I was Mr. Holistic guy my whole life and wouldn't even take an aspirin until my late forties. But post-polio syndrome started kicking my ass around that time and I suffer from severe chronic pain to the point that I often just don't feel like living so finally gave up a few years ago and I take a CBD gummy everyday and when things are real bad I take half and oxycodone, but not that often. The CBD makes me high as hell and makes me smile and makes my pain much much better to the point that it almost disappears for 6 ,7 and 8 hours, and that's everything. Makes my life tolerable.

[@BubblesBubbles]

CBD doesn't make you high. Period.

[@cookingartguy2170]

@@BubblesBubbles well whatever I'm getting from my over-the-counter place around the corner here in South Florida gets me totally buzzed. I can only stand a half a gummy, otherwise I get way too high.

[@bartimisfoul3459]

It's like he's never considered MODERATION!

[@Trevspowers]

He’s wrong about weed though, because we all have built in cannabinoid receptors. All the top neuroscientists will confirm this. He can also grow it from the ground, so he doesn’t have to worry about his pockets. He’d probably be more chill on weed too, since he really just comes off as a boring weirdo.

[@BillyBob-ec5ox]

I really don’t believe Gene hasn’t been drunk a single time going back to 1975. That’s just impossible for me to believe. Although I can believe that he didn’t make it a regular thing. But not a single time on all of those tours, in 50 years?? I think he has selective memory

[@TheABElia]

In the Rush doc 'Beyond the Lighted Stage', they talk about touring with KISS in the early 70's. All of them were getting high/drinking w/ the members of KISS, besides Gene. He wanted nothing to do with it. He just wanted to chase women and get laid.

[@vicvega3614]

Ive heard it from other bands that toured with kiss going back to the 70s Gene never drank, thats crazy to me too but some people just dont ever drink. Donald Trump is another whos never even tasted alcohol or any drug

[@effdonahue6595]

@@vicvega3614 too busy grabbing p’s 😈

[@brando7266]

@@vicvega3614 trump is on Adderall, most people know that already

[@Daneiladams555]

The reason he hasn't gotten high or drunk is casue he's a control freak.

[@jamiedavid8023]

Wow! Or coz it's not cool- like he says. You guys drink like you just have no other choice but to do it

[@Daneiladams555]

@@jamiedavid8023 its not cool to him, however do you wanna be like him?

[@jamiedavid8023]

@@Daneiladams555 i don't do drugs. i dont have to

[@Daneiladams555]

@@jamiedavid8023 you can learn a lot by altering your mind

[@MrSmashmonkey]

Gene is so full of himself that listening to him is nauseating

[@hellrazorofficial9178]

Sexual preditor at one time turns money bags! He is so cool! My hero....uff...AMERICA NEEDS REAL STAND UP GUYS AND HEROS THESE DAYS not this crap. Seriously so much plastic surgery he has been high last 20 years with all them pain meds. He was high he just didnt recognize it.

[@scottyo2490]

He just supplies the music that is the vehicle for ppl to drink and get high to

[@JoeLewis14]

Yes. But this is also a guy you yelled at a kid in the hospital for wearing an inauthentic KISS shirt. He's a D-bag.

[@claycanter2634]

They guy that spits blood and fire for 50 years is gonna warn me about smoking. Also I've seen Kiss (great concert) and I'm pretty sure I was high off second hand pot smoke by the 3rd song.

[@poisonous-shadows]

This is the only time i acually was able to listen to gene and agree with him

[@peoplearecrazy1798]

I agree with Gene and Adam on this one as I have my wine and ponder my small shmekle lol

[@michaelhulsey201]

Don't believe him for a second. He may not have continued it, because he had plenty of Icons to teach him the dangers, but he did it. At least once.

[@mds1171]

GS isnt a rock star, he's a marketing executive.

[@usmc8408]

I can believe it. Dude is all about business, day in and day out...love him or hate him for it.

[@galenrhaynes578]

Damn straight Gene Simmons !!!

[@galenrhaynes578]

Chasing skirt is where it's at

[@kerpal321]

he did all those tours and shows and never got drunk or high?

[@joshjensen8570]

It's cuz he's full of shit. If u watch interviews with ace and peter they all say different and I believe them over Gene. They left the band cuz Gene was trying to screw them all the time

[@ericshackelford872]

What a shock...He mentions money again

[@Gmx92]

The same thing applies to sex, why would you get to syphilis and AIDS and pay child support, obviously you can use alcohol with zero negative side effects

[@taedar]

What a freaking dumb analogy 🤣

[@Gmx92]

@@taedar how is it a dumb analogy ? The guy acts like alcohol is always a disaster but having sex with strangers is risk free

[@panqarahn3993]

Everybody chooses their own poison in life. One single problem is better than two.

[@itsmebran3805]

Outstanding comment. My thoughts exactly.

[@twolegs6045]

👍🏻 exactly!

[@pfsloan2597]

WOW, Gene Simmons. Who woulda thunk it?

[@gottfriedosterbach3907]

Being out of control in an altered state might interfere with him being a colossal pretentious asshole all the time. Seriously though, I would love to respect him for this if his reputation indicated he was a better person. My father is a narcissistic that is straight edge, but he is still a terrible person and I could care less whether he wants to praise himself because alcohol and drugs would interfere with the abusive and controlling way he lives his life. I never thought I would ever water down self abuse, but it is still better than that form.

[@michaelcrouch7564]

I don't drink, smoke or do any drugs. I don't have a single tattoo and I am very proud of all of that.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Why is that something to be "proud" of?

[@williamgullett5911]

​@@nickbarcheck1019Are those things to be proud of?

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Answer my question first.

[@williamgullett5911]

@nickbarcheck1019 Being proud of not being under the influence which affects not only the one with no self control which leads to their compulsive addiction but all those around them who have to suffer from the users lack of judhenent. Now, what is there about substance abuse that you are proud of?

[@hdrake1000]

I suppose there are many different types of addiction. Kiss icon Gene Simmons ‘confirms’ sleeping with 5,000 women.

[@topnotch4564]

Makes Sense.

[@reaality3860]

Very few human beings live their entire life never feeling a need to self-medicate. They are outstanding!

[@user-yw9zv1qh8v]

Gene has self medicated though with money and sex and he would definitely be diagnosed with some form of narcissism. Nice try trying to polish a turd.

[@colleenshea2293]

Sobriety rules. Life is best sober.

[@georgedavies5752]

Everything in moderation

[@jamiedavid8023]

​@@georgedavies5752 moderation is hard. Only a few pple of character can pull that off. Oh and it(moderation) is not fun- if you understand how dopamine works

[@JohnStanworth]

​@@jamiedavid8023Most people drink or smoke weed in moderation. It's only hard if you have nothing else going on.

[@user-yw9zv1qh8v]

No it's not because the statement doesn't exist and you are in denial about it. No such thing as being " sober". Gene is highly addicted to money and sex. Someone that does not consume,ingest or smoke drugs can be addicted to porn or video games.

[@gggawd6213]

Some Ego's never relax even when they should have 20 years ago.

[@kevinsandlin843]

Total respect Gene Simmons.

[@2011hwalker]

i feel sorry for you, their music has dated terribly-in retrospect it just wasnt very good.

[@simonnomis5302]

he has a honest opininon..he respects him self and i like that

[@robertsullivan3877]

I agree with him,( Gene Simmons). Some of us never drink or tattoo or pierce. We don't need to or want to. Call us old fashioned or whatever......

[@BubblesBubbles]

THOUGH ...in Gene's autobiography....he ate a whole tray of brownies at a record company party...not realizing they were infused with cannabis. It's a hilarious story. Poor Gene 😂 lmfao

[@JusCuz410]

He loves sugary treats.

[@SteveOuimette]

I like the blue title bar - Gene "Simons", .lol.

[@IceBear369]

The chosen persuasion. Wow.

[@railroadtrash09]

He never tells a lie either. Such a tool.

[@AlexAnderson-hu9lp]

He's got a point well both do on certain things gene loves and some love boose and some love both or one or the other 😅😅😅

[@kayakdog121]

I'm sure Gene has been given a good pain reliever by a doctor or dentist sometime in his life so he has been high.

[@DionysusAlS]

I agree. I think he's being a little disingenuous when he says he's never been "high." He's only talking about illicit drugs and alcohol. But you can get plenty numb on prescription stuff, and I'm sure he's had those at some point in his life.

[@DippyHippie]

As a nurse…I concur!

[@scottwalmer9248]

My HERO. My ROLE MODEL🛡️👹🔥🔥🔥🩸🩸🩸

[@tshandy1]

"When you die, you can give yourself a discount on a KISS casket." LOL

[@kevinmach730]

You found that funny?

[@MarvelousLXVII]

Gene Simmons is the shit!

[@dranderson6071]

As Gene has aged he's losing his mind, sadly. Total respect for the business man, no respect for the man and his lack of respect for individual, critical thinking. He's a sellout

[@4dstellatedhypercube558]

I used to love seeing KISS they put on the best shows but after seeing gene simmons and paul stanleys behavior outside of the stage it made me sick to my stomach and now I wouldn't go to a show even if I had free tickets

[@dranderson6071]

@@4dstellatedhypercube558 Behavior I can forgive. Acting like a Karen I can't. He went very weird over c19

[@ItsTimeMichael]

Individual thinking doesn't mean you purposely try to counter what is proven to work, whether financially, morally, culturally, etc. and expect it to be embraced as a legitimate equal or greater option with regards to the results. We already have 13% of the population that does that by default & it's proven to be a national threat..for decades now. Wise up boy.

[@Stringz]

@@ItsTimeMichael wrong

[@wwbuirkle]

Who is he disrespecting?

[@andre-le-bone-aparte]

50 Cent talks the same way about drinking and getting high. Both are wealthy and have control over their business ventures. Seems like a pattern!

[@frarfarf]

gee I wish I had lots of money and a fcking boring life

[@stevehorspool2969]

But 50 talks about currently being sober. He's never said he has never smoked or had a drink.

[@kurtispopp]

Says a guy who is currently marketing Kiss brand premium rum.

[@JerichoMile4]

Gene Simmons is a wise man indeed !!!!

[@415TCrider]

🙄His gimmick was old 30 years ago.

[@ott5178]

And yours got old even quicker.

[@paulcooper1046]

Yet...Here you are.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

I think if you founded one of the most successful rock bands in history, you don’t have much to prove anymore. Like him or not, KISS left it’s mark.

[@negativeindustrial]

@@mplslawnguy3389 He should try taking bass lessons.

[@starskyarsky8374]

Most overrated band ever.

[@larrytaylor3048]

Hi I’m Gene Simmons from Kiss!

[@cesarcoelho3012]

agree 100% smart guy

[@capitalist4life]

As a kid, I found this aspect of Gene to be pretty lame. But after more than a decade of daily drug use, I have come to appreciate his choice.

[@bartimisfoul3459]

Have you ever considered "moderation"?

[@Inquiringmind0]

After moderate drug use for 20 years, I find him to be even more lame. Drugs enhanced my life and made it better, and more interesting.

[@BRIANDER100]

@@Inquiringmind0 how's your health ?

[@Inquiringmind0]

@@BRIANDER100 It's excellent, which is surprising, considering that I have a pretty unhealthy diet. Mostly fast food. For some reason I don't even have high cholesterol.

[@BRIANDER100]

@@Inquiringmind0 ok---is it hereditary ?i'm the opposite... i eat healthy but without medication my cholestrol can be high

[@massapower]

LUV GENE SIMMONS!!!😁🤟

[@Getchugudie]

you spelt his name wrong on screen

[@Diaphanic1]

Explains his lack of self awareness

[@dragonfinder777]

He and Uncle Ted. Both got the girls.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Gene is a lot less Rock'n Roll than I thought 🙂

[@mikel9248]

Heh. The irony of him singing "Cold Gin" with such conviction...

[@alaindenis509]

mr booster shot will feel it one day

[@r3d5ive87]

Does getting pushy make him smarter or rich?

[@jnorth1000]

For the record: Gene did smoke weed once. But he did NOT inhale.

[@cleazy______5624]

He's right

[@BlindN1Ear]

That's great but who's Gene Simons?

[@esposexy2210]

He's such a stereotype of showbiz jews. Everything is marketing and money to him; his music is just costumes and cliches.

[@dragonfinder777]

Never trust a man who does not drink.

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Well, you don't have to get hammered.

[@joshuacarson6576]

Didn't Jean here also say people didn't get vaccinated we're dumb. And they didn't have the right to not get vaccinated

[@stephenembry4038]

Not for fun, but he was clearly high when on medication recovering from surgery on his reality show.

[@DMDvideo10]

Gene has two highs... First is rock & roll music... Second the ladies... I personally get a high from playing in a great band. When things are cooking, I get a buzz!

[@andrewcleary4413]

How many skirts that he was chasing totally sober were black out drunk?

[@mikeodonnell6799]

good for Gene Simmons........................................................................................of KISS

[@tonygunk6795]

Gene has a great point

[@edwarddickson7731]

Anybody that says “my truth” automatically loses all credibility.

[@speakingmoistly9912]

I’d be curious to know if he’s ever had a drink in his life because apparently Ted Nugent drinks regularly (in moderation) but he also claims the “never been drunk, never been high” mantra. So there’s some wiggle room there like when Trump says “I’ve never had a glass of alcohol,” well neither have I if you take that statement literally yet I drink all the time.

[@Brian-qg8dg]

If i had to make a final judgement call, you drink, they rarely do.

[@washeduphasbeen7580]

Bullshit. He was sponging beers off of chicks at the Red Onion Lakewood on KNAC night. $1.00 beers I might add. Then I bumped into him in Moose's in Redondo beach. I asked if I could buy him a drink when the bartender told me who he was. He ordered a $15 or $20 shot of tequila. So yeah. He drinks.

[@KabutungKabayo]

Not everyone who drinks have the intention of getting wasted. There's this thing called "moderation". Smoking and Drugs, I'm against that for sure! But drinking a Beer or 2 to relax and have fun with friends is all good. The thing is, just because I drink in moderation, never smoked and never had drugs in my system, doesn't make me a better human being than those who did. Just saying.