Hello From Afghanistan,
I am a U.S Soldier currently Deployed to Afghanistan. I have been a KISS
fan since the Revenge tour back in 1992. I love the band. I am sitting
here in Afghanistan and I was thinking about the Gene Simmons Show
Family Jewels. The episode when Gene visited Fort Hood, Texas meant a
lot to me to know that one of my Idols respects what I do. Anyways I
just wanted to say thank you for supporting the troops and God Bless.
And Also Long Live The KISS ARMY.
Very Respectfully,
Staff Sergeant Ortega
Response from Gene:
We Honor You.
Gene,
I saw you speak in a quick interview (Cleveland, Ohio Fox 8 News) about Whitney Houston, her death, and the aftermath of it all. I feel her death is such a waste of a life and her talent in music was enormous, but your message regarding drug use rather than abuse is
right, and I hope my teenage boys hear you speak as I just did. I'm not sure the death of a 'superstar' hits home with teenagers, I hope it makes them realize the consequences of drug and alcohol use/abuse, but as you know, you are not with them when they are around their
peers and in a situation to either be cool or not. To NOT be cool, in their minds, may not be the way to go, but we tell our children the COOL guy is the one who leads the way and says no thanks - to let their peers follow them - not the other way around.
I hope you keep talking - hahaha - no problem, right?....but since you are so resourceful, maybe you would consider becoming a spokesperson??? via a television commercial with a strong message, nothing too crazy long, but with a message to the teenage population about
the dangers, peer pressure, and friends who really are anything but. You have an image they would relate and listen to - I think it is desperately needed - you?
This is the first time I looked on your web site, I am interested in Sophie's Place and when I get home later, I will look into it further. It is a cause I feel passionate about.
Thank you much,
Kristina
Response from Gene:
Death is sad.
But not when you cause it to happen to yourself.
At least you have a choice.
Especially if you're rich and famous.
I don't buy the psycho babble that "..drugs and booze are a disease"
Life is a God given gift.
And if you don't appreciate it, the exit door is right over there.
Drug use is right next door to drug abuse.
No difference in my mind.
Dear Gene,
Back when you did the KISS fragrance tour, you came to Fresno. I just really wanted to thank you for the amount of attention that you paid to my younger autistic brother. Never before has someone been that attentive to him, other than family. It really means the world to me. My family can't thank you enough.
Yours Truly,
Lilly
It's been a long time coming but the day had finally arrived. I just picked up my brand new Battle Axe 2 bass and I'm like a little kid at Christmas.
I followed the UPS tracking all the way to Seattle. Called the store to find out when UPS delivers, and hot footed it to the store in haste when it arrived.
This is just what I've been needing for my unique KISS tribute band Gene's Addiction (The Original Gene's Addiction). I can finally give my tired '76 Grabber a rest.
Thanks for making them affordable for us poor, starving musicians.
The Infamous Joe Dredd
Hi Gene,
My name is Jamilee, and I have been a huge fan since i was a kid. Infact, my sweet 16 present from my mother, was floor tickets to your 2003 tour. Now, I am a 24 year old mother of two, whose youngest was born only 3 weeks ago. My son, Maks, is quite fussy, but we have found the perfect trick to getting him to quiet down.... KISS! all i have to do is play a little of your music, and my lil' guy mellows right out. Proud to say, I have given birth to a third generation Kiss fan!
Thank you so much, for the little bit of peace and quiet.
Sincerely,
Jamilee
Dear Mr. Gene Simmons,
I am 17 years old living in Ocala, FL. My girlfriend is pregnant with our son and I am currently in my senior year of high school while also attending the college of central Florida in the welding course. My dream is to go into the career of underwater welding (which pays a decent wage of over 100$ an hour). HOWEVER, I have been in the KISS ARMY since I was 3 years old and throughout my life YOU sir, have been my idol, my figure I set myself to view as my ultimate goal. I've been playing bass guitar since I was 9 and i've mastered the albums Sonic Boom, Destroyer, Love Gun, Lick it up and a bunch more.
My name is Christopher and I would like to know if you Gene Simmons, the God of Thunder, the General of the KISS ARMY, the Demon, the Father, had any advice or feedback how I could build my own empire to provide for my unborn son, girlfriend, and my mother who also lives in New York where I'm from. Any response would just absolutely thrill me sir.
Rock on,
Christopher
Response from Gene:
First, promise me and yourself and your family that this will be the only child you have until you're much older, have a career and can afford to support a wife and child.
THEN, you can think about what you'd like to do.
Family first.
Make sure you have enough money and a solid job, before you bring children into this world.
Just watched the episode where you and Shannon went to Ft. Hood. I don't know how I have missed this one as I have watched all your episodes, I thought. It was touching and commendable the time and effort that you put into being with as many of our troops as you both could.
My son is in the Army stationed in Germany. He has done one tour in Iraq which took him away from us for 15 months. He missed his first child learning to walk and to talk. Thank God he came home to us.
I have the utmost respect for you and all that you do. You are a different breed aside from other celebrities.
Thank you to you and Shannon for what you do for our troops. They appreciate it so very much.
Jamie
My daughter Katie has had a hard life so far and doesn't even really ask for much. She has a genetic condition called Marfan syndrome, she has 7 doctors/specialists. So far she has been lucky enough to of only needed two surgeries both of which involved putting rods and screws in her spine. She now has a twenty-four inch section fused and yet she still smiles. Katie has a lot of time to watch television and has found your Family Jewels series on Netflix and was immediately addicted. So as her always concerned loving mother I would like to say thank you for doing so much by just being you. You rock!
Lisa
Hi Gene...
Friday night, March 30th, I was on the front row at the show in New Orleans directly in front of you. First, that was without a doubt the best concert I have ever seen. Second, I made the mistake of lighting a cigarette when you were looking. TWICE you looked at me and said, "Don't smoke". I threw it down and didn't smoke again during the show.
Yesterday, my boyfriend did acupuncture on me to help me stop smoking. I haven't had a cigarette since and I just wanted to say thank you. I have a great deal of respect for you and the clean lifestyle you have. I'm not sure if it was more shock or embarrassment that shook me up when you said not to smoke, but either way I honestly appreciate the wake-up call.
I missed 3 guitar picks you threw my way, so as a reminder to not smoke I've printed photos of you to place around. I know, it's silly, but it helps! : )
Wishing you the best,
Karen
Hello Mr. Gene Simmons,
I saw you at your Rock and Brews restaurant!!! I was the Sysco delivery girl who almost ran into you as you were walking in through the kitchen! I was so start struck and in awe that it was you, i didn't say a word!! I now regret that since you are on my bucket list to meet and take a picture with!! I wanted to shake your hand and thank you for all you do for the men and woman of our military! When you were at Fort Hood my brother didn't get to see you cause he was deployed in IRAQ!! I hope one day i get to run into you again and get to tell you in person!!!
Thank You for making my day!!!
Krista
Dear Gene,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed an episode of Family Jewels I watched this morning. It was the episode where you toured Holland and with Shannon visited the Anne Frank museum. It was very moving, in particular your mother’s story particularly her similarity in age to Anne.
Growing up and at school in the UK in the 1970’s, I am lucky enough to have been taught about Anne Frank and it is a story that should be told everywhere. If you have been lucky enough to have had her diary used in your education, you will without doubt be a better person for having studied it irrespective of your religion, race, creed or colour.
You may or may not be aware that some years after the second world war, twin town or city arrangements were made between UK and German towns/cities and exchange visits were made encouraging friendships between the youth of both countries. I make mention of this as the school that I was lucky enough to visit on one of these exchange arrangements in Germany was the Anne Frank School in Ludwigshafen where those who attended were very aware and indeed honoured in the name of their school and where her spirit was alive in the hundreds of children attending the school. A special place indeed.
The interaction with that school and the friends I made changed my life as did the reading of the Diary of Anne Frank. I am so happy that you featured it in your show, despite the emotional stress that it understandably had on you. Keeping her spirit alive is important and thank you for doing so.
Kind Regards,
Bob
