August 31st-
 GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #2 arrived and I'm blown away by it. It is really a quantum leap forward for us and I must say, I'm very proud.
Contents include: Cover girl CARRIE STEVENS, who came from a small town, met Eric Carr on KISS' '88 tour, went on to become a Playmate and... well, you'll have to read it. I also interviewed PETER CRISS -- wait till you read this one!! TONY HAWK came over to my home and we chatted. ANDY DICK is hilarious in his piece... and tons more.
This initial shipment only came to me, as a proof. News stands and bookstores across America will receive their copies in about two weeks. We hope you like it as much as we do.
Meantime, #3 is almost done.... I had the pleasure of interviewing RICHARD (Virgin) BRANSON, ROSEANNE, Adult star JENNA JAMISON, CARSON DALY, dj ELLEN K, and more, more, more.
Also, our Dee McLaughlin just got confirmation that World Boxing Champ LEILA ALI (Muhammed Ali's daughter) just confirmed she would be interviewed.
August 30th-
I'm proud to announce the birth of my new joint venture; SIMMONS AUDIO. A partnership between myself and Michael Viner's NEW MILLENIUM. More details will follow shortly, but in the meantime -- the imprint will have a simple manifesto: It will release spoken word books by interesting celeb readers, reading popular books.
The maiden voyage is Gene Simmons reading KISS AND MAKEUP.
My thanks to Crown Books for returning the spoken word rights to me.
Michael and I hope to have this in the stores before Xmas.
August 29th-
 Our Lady In Waiting DEVIN DEVASQUEZ invited me to an art show she hosted at the Hollywood Highland. There was lots of "eye candy" there -- beautiful women and hungry men. EXTRA covered the event. Among the artists showing their work was Olivia. Ran into STEVE STEVENS (Billy Idol guitarist) and his lovely companion. I brought along GENE SIMMONS TONGUE fotog Dave O'brien to cover the event for issue #3.
August 27th-
 Had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely JEWEL for my EXTRA (NBC) series of interviews (more about that later). The room must have hovered around 90 degrees. I had a jacket on and Jewel had very little on. Needless to say, sweat just poured out of me. Jewel on the other hand, was calm and collected. She's certainly great to look at, but underneath the beauty, there is great charm.
She is doing something very cool on her present tour. She is discovering new, unsigned talent and letting them open up for her on tour. She is even letting untried talent direct her next video.
Look for the interview next week on EXTRA.
New Lady in Waiting!
Happy Birthday, Gene!
Thanks to all of you for your sweet Birthday messages.
Love you all.
August 24th-
 The VH1 SUMMER JAM at the Sam Adams Breweries in Boston was a great event. Most of the radio stations from different cities across America were there. Some were broadcasting live, some rolled some tape.
My GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine partner and publisher Allen Tuller came up and brought "blue line" copies of issue #2. And, I must say, it looks fantastic. It will be on the stands in about three weeks.
Thanks to all the radio stations for putting me on.
News On Gene's 'Speaking in Tongues' Tour
From: sidb@flatrate.net.au
Gene's 'Speaking in Tongues' tour is selling well downunder. Particularly Melbourne and Sydney which are doing so well if you are buying tickets it is advised to get in soon or miss out. Thousands of entries have been received by the News Ltd papers that published the "Meet Gene" competition this week. Unfortunately there will be only one winner per state. It is rumored that The KISS Demon will also be interviewed by 60 minutes Australia and this will air sometime in September. A source at Random House has advised Gene's sold out book 'KISS and Make-up' will be reprinted in paperback in time for the tour. Rumor has it the book will include 2 NEW chapters.
August 20th-
STERN MAGAZINE, one of the largest German weekly magazines came over to do an interview and photo session.
 The lovely FIONA HORNE (featured in GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #1) interviewed me for Australia's Channel 7 morning chat show. We talked and kidded about all sorts of things, including my upcoming Australian Lecture Tour. Look to the left to find out info on dates and cities.
Then went over to CAA for a meeting with a writer on one of the movie projects I am co-producing. When this one becomes more real, I will reveal the title. It is one of the biggest gamer projects out there.
August 18th-
I plan on attending the SAM ADAMS SUMMERJAM in Boston Aug 22nd thru the 24th. The event features media (tv, radio and press) covering the event. I'll be there for the fun and games but want to let everyone know what to expect in GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #2, and some of my other upcoming projects.
Come up and say Hi.
 Aug 17th
We've gotten some e mails about the pricing of my forthcoming LECTURE TOUR OF AUSTRALIA. Please keep in mind the promoter, Madison Ent. is determining all the variables - location, date and price. Kindly address your concerns to them. Not me.
August 15th-
 Today started with a long drive outside of LA to interview JENNA JAMISON on the set of her new, as yet untitled film. Coming along for the ride were VH1. They interviewed me for an upcoming Porn To Rock special. There were also a number of other very beautiful Vivid girls who were shooting their parts in the film.
Jenna couldn't have been more charming. The one on one interview was pretty candid. No stones were left unturned. She bares all. When VH1 got there and filmed us, some of the language was modified, but Jenna is Jenna and lots of laughs. Later, I had the distinct impression VH1 would have their hands full trying to edit the footage they shot. Look for the article and photos in GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #3 coming during the Holiday Season.
#2 as mentioned, has gone off to the printers.
Some other very exciting developments have been finalized and shortly, I'll be able to post the news.
And, every once in a while, I realize everything I do and everything I am, I owe to you. You have made my life possible. You have made me comfortable with the idea that I can do anything... and if it doesn't work out, so what. Do something else.
I don't want anyone to think I take any of this lightly. Just because every once in a while, you may read me drilling some knucklehead a new a--hole, doesn't mean I don't appreciate everything all of you have done for me. I am, however, not going to sit quietly still for rude behavior from friend or foe. I will give as good as I get. I will always tell you how much I appreciate what you've done for me, but will not shy away from confronting anyone who oversteps common courtesy and decency.
Again thanks.
New Lady in Waiting!
August 12th-
 Beautiful ELLEN K, who works with RICK DEES on the national Rick Dees Radio Program, came to the house to be interviewed for an article in GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #3. Ellen is from Indiana and we both traded stories back and forth about hilarious moments in our lives. Look for her interview in #3.
Meantime, by mid-September, be on the lookout for GENE SIMMONS TONGUE #2.
We are, incidentally, a huge smash, thanks to you. Our magazine has confounded the magazine world, who immediately took great pains to point out why we would hit a brick wall. They were wrong. They always are. The peanut gallery is called that for a reason.
August 11th-
 AUG 10TH
I played on the HOLLYWOOD ALL STARS baseball team today at DODGER STADIUM.
It was a blast. KISS played there in 1998 Halloween Eve at the opening of our Psycho Circus 3-D tour -- which, incidentally, was broadcast live on Fox tv that night.
On my team were Star Trek's SCOTT BAKULA, ESAI MORALES, JON LOVITZ and more. On the other side were: BILLY CRYSTAL, TONY DANZA, director GARRY MARSHALL and more. The game was furious, and..... we tied!!! 7 to 7.
Covering the event were lovelies LISA GUERRERO for ESPN and JENNIFER GOULD for FOX TV (LA).
Thanks to the fans for being so gracious and making me feel at home.
New Lady in Waiting!
August 7th-
I was invited to go to the premier of the new Clint Eastwood movie, BLOODWORK. Miss Tweed and I went to the Warner Bros lot and were greeted by a long line of fotogs and media. Ahead of us was Clint Eastwood doing interviews. I have to say, they don't make them like that anymore. Eastwood has had a long and illustrious career and while you may have been of fan of him on the screen, I'm here to tell you the man has "a presence" in real life. He is a star. Ahead of us were Jimmy Smits, Angelica Huston and Portia DeRosi.
Eastwood directed, produced and starred in the film. And, although I'm a fan, I have to say I was disappointed in the movie. It actually works as a film, but what prevents the movie from working, in my estimation, is that the times have changed. The pacing was far too slow for me. And, what struck me while I was watching the movie, was that most of the time, nothing happened. It was a "Talkie".
When movies were first made at the turn of the 20th century, they were initially silent. Then sound came in and people started calling them the "Flicks" (because they flickered). And, then "Talkies" (because they talked). People soon realized that the most important element wasn't so much that they talked, but that they moved. Hence, "Movies."
BLOODWORK is a talkie, not a movie. But, a good talkie.
August 6th-
My name is NIK GARIFALAKIS. I am from a company in Australia called MADISON. We are proud to announce Gene Simmons' first ever-speaking tour to Australia – an event that has created some awesome interest down here judging by the calls and emails we have received. Other speakers we have dealt with include former President Bill Clinton, who we hosted in Melbourne last September.
I am delighted to confirm this tour. But first, a message. Some draft information about the tour was inadvertently placed on this site over the weekend and attributed to Gene. This info was not from Gene – he had nothing to do with it and did not authorize it. Sincerest apologies to those who may have been prematurely excited about the limitless opportunities this tour offers. How did the info get on the site? Put it down to two things: The wonders of modern technology…and the old fashioned curse of crossed wires.
Sorry.
Now on with the show:
Gene is coming downunder for the following dates:
Speaking in Tongues
· 31 Oct: Burswood Resort Casino, Perth
· 2 Nov: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
· 3 Nov: Adelaide Convention Centre
· 5 Nov: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
· 6 Nov: Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Gene will be speaking about his incredible life, as recounted in his NY TIMES bestseller Kiss and Make-Up. He will delve into the experiences and insights that have made him the man he is today.
This is the way I like to put it: "With more than 75 million album sales; more than 2500 merchandising licenses, and more than 4600 – ahem – liaisons with women… This Gene Simmons guy sure has a lot to talk about."
Speaking in Tongues will have a strong production element, with giant video screens for never-before seen footage, lights and sound. Gene will be followed by Imag cameras and be up-close and personal with the audience. A take-no-prisoners Q&A will be hosted by Madison’s ‘Gene Girls’.
GENE SIMMONS will appear in each city for ONE NIGHT ONLY and seats at the venues are strictly limited. For those in Australia – or those wanting to fly over for the experience -
TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY AUGUST 12
For more information click here and visit http://www.madison.net.au for more.
See you there.
August 5th-
 Had the pleasure of interviewing ROSEANNE at my home for GS TONGUE #3. The interviews, by the way, are fairly low-tech. I have a small, hand-held portable tape recorder the size of a deck of cards. It starts when I turn on the "recording" button.
Roseanne was very open -- sometimes funny, often insightful and very "in your face."
Look for it.
Note from the webmistress:
I mistakenly posted info for the Australian Tour without Gene's knowledge or approval. Gene never saw the contents or design of the announcement before it was posted. In point of fact, he never knew about it.
There were some errors. I will re-post when these have been corrected. I apologize for the inconvenience.
|
