Gene Simmons Biography

On his himself:

“My hero is me. Why? Because I was a poor little kid who was told, “Hey stupid, can’t you speak English?” Now all those people work for me."

“When I’m gone, on my tombstone I’d like “Thank you and goodnight” because I have no regrets.“

“I refuse to lead a Jekyll-and-Hyde life. There are Djs who get caught with prostitutes, and M.P.s with stockings on their head. It’s waste of time. Just say, 'This is who I am. Take it or leave it.' Then you sleep well."

“Despite whatever circumstances I came across, I was always able to rise to the top, and there’s only one way to do that - by being selfish.”

On the music business:

“It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.”

“Anyone who tells you they got into rock’n’roll for reasons other than girls, fame and money is full of s***.”

On women/relationships:

“Marriage is an institution, and you must be fully committed to it. That sounds crazy to me.”

“The only thing wrong with marriage is that one of the persons involved is a man.” 

“If you want to welcome me with open arms, you’re also going to have welcome me with open legs.” (in a radio interview with Terr Gross at NPR).

On politics:

“When you walk through a bad neighbourhood, you don’t want a poodle by your side. You want a Rottweiler” - when asked why he was voting for George Bush in 2004. “

On life:

“Belief is self-knowing. Even Yoda out of Star Wars said, do or do not. There is no 'try'”.

“Walk amongst the natives by day, but in your heart be Superman.”

“The sad thing is, most people have to check with someone before they do the things that make them happy. We’re all just passing through: the least we can do is be happy, and the only way to do that is by being selfish.”