February 26th-

Last week, I was in Nashville where I did the Keynote Speech for the Leadership Conference.

Actually, a very cool initiative by people with power and access and the next generation of entrepreneurs, whom they mentor.

No one taught me what I know. I had to go out there, dig and scratch and scrounge up the bits and pieces of "the puzzle". And, it's never easy. The tendency for people in power is not to have much time to show the ropes to up and comers. And, whenever I see new talent, or an ambitious young person, I always try to take time to sit, listen and then comment, critique, advise, offer some access when applicable. Because to become an entrepreneur, you must create your own business model, do your own research, fund it youself and ultimately do it yourself.

And, this is not something you can learn in school. What I do, isn't taught. I had to create myself. From top to bottom.

I gave myself the name Gene Simmons. I decided I didn't have to keep my given name. It didn't work. Yes. A name can help or hinder. It's your brand. And brands need to have something people respond to. Archibald Leech isn't as good as Cary Grant. Bernard Schwartz isn't as good as Tony Curtis. And Chaim Witz isn't as good as Gene Simmons.

I wanted to be in a rock band. But I also knew the world was filled with failed rock bands. So, the first thing was, to find band mates that shared a vision. Not an easy task. Then, find your position in the marketplace (who are you...what kind of band..who is your potential audience). Fund it yourself. Don't use investors. They will own you. And then, nothing should stand in your way to becoming the world's next Superstars.... Good luck with that, by the way. It's almost impossible. But it IS possible. And only you have to decide all of the above and especially if you have the guts to devote the time, effort and the blood, sweat and tears (lots of em, don't worry) it takes to make it.

You will run into the word NO. It's as solid a wall, as you decide it is. Or, you can decide the word 'no" is only temporary, until you get a YES.

It's 35 years later and KISS is about to embark on a Stadium Tour of South America, then swing up to Canada for some shows, then the US, then Europe, then Asia....it'll take a year or so.

But it's not the only thing I've done.

While the band was starting up, I taught 6th Grade in Spanish Harlem...I worked as the Assistant to the Puerto Rican InterAgency Council, a government funded research and demonstration project...I was the Man Friday for the editor of Vogue magazine...I also had 2 jobs at the same time as the band was rehearsing...I worked as a checkout guy at a deli, where I could earn more money and eat free to my heart's content.

And, when the band became a big success, I tried producing other bands -- I produced two BLACK N' BLUE records (Geffen), two KEEL records (A&E), EZO (Geffen), WENDY O WILLIAMS (Jet), DORO PESCH (MCA) and others.

I started managing other acts: I managed the music career of LIZA MINNELLI - Epic. She was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and got her first gold record. I also had JENNI MULDAUR, DEAD OR ALIVE for a short time, and too many others to mention here.

I started acting in movies - RUNAWAY (Tristar), WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE (New World), TRICK OR TREAT (DEG)....and on tv, MIAMI VISE, THE HITCHER and lots more.

I started a production company, Man Of A Thousand Faces and signed my first act -- I discovered VAN HALEN. I flew them to NY, and payed for & produced a 15 song album at Electric Lady Studios, in hopes of getting them a deal. It was slow going, getting them a record deal and I had to go out on tour with KISS. So, I tore up the contract and told Van Halen that I would resume shopping them after the KISS tour. In the meantime, if they found a deal, they were free and clear. They signed with Warner Bros in a month.

I started a record company, SIMMONS RECORDS at RCA/BMG. I had HOUSE OF LORDS (a band I renamed, after they were offered to me as GIUFFRIA from MCA. Told them either I change their name, or they can go elsewhere -- I still own the trademark and let them use it), SILENT RAGE and GYPSY ROSE (a Canadian band).

Since then, I've branched out.

SIMMONS RECORDS is reborn at Universal Music Canada.

SIMMONS COMICS GROUP with IDW publishes three comic books, GENE SIMMONS HOUSE OF HORRORS, ZIPPER and DOMINATRIX. I own all the trademarks and created the titles.

SIMMONS BOOKS with Phoenix Books recently published my 3rd Best Seller, LADIES OF THE NIGHT - a Historical Perspective of the Oldest Profession in the World. An LA Times Best Seller. The other two books I wrote, KISS AND MAKEUP (Crown) and SEX MONEY KISS (Simmons Books/Phoenix) were also NY Times Best Sellers.

SIMMONS ABRAMSON MARKETING - with Rich Abramson, we market and brand the IndyCar Series, including the Indy 500. We also represent FIND.COM.

I'm the Chairman of the Board of NGTV.COM - No Good Television. Now, with 350 million clicks.

GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS (A&E), seen in 34 countries around the world. Season IV coming this summer.

I created other TV Shows -
MY DAD THE ROCK STAR, my cartoon with Nelvana is now in its 5th year....
MR. ROMANCE (Oxygen).
GENE SIMMONS MONEYBAG is my clothing line with Canada's Dussault Custom Inc.

I have been Keynote Speaker at:
AARP CONVENTION in Wash, DC in front of 30,000 people.
BILLBOARD CONVENTION
EO - Entrepreneur Organization
and too many others to list here.

The above may come off as self serving. And, you're damn right it is. Some of you might think, "who the hell does he think he is."

Precisely the point.

Who DO you think you are? Are you special. Do you have the goods to stand in front of strangers and convince them you're what they need in their lives.

That's always been my mantra. You buy the Vacuum Cleaner SALESMAN. Not the Vacuum Cleaner. It's the Messenger. NOT necessarily the message.

And the most important point -- the world doesn't need what you have to offer. You're not a farmer, policeman or teacher. They're important. You and I are not. What we do, the world could very easily live without. And yet, if you succeed, you can make more money, have more power and get better seats in restaurants than heads of state.

IF you've got the goods and you're willing to work at it 24/7.....'til you drop dead.

Vacation is for wimps.

I've said my piece.

Your turn.

February 20th-

hey,

just heard gene is looking for unsigned canadian bands. I'll be honest, I dont have a "band". But I am one helluva singer and have the look (attractive and fit!!) I am looking to make something of himself before I get too old. I describe my vox as being in the range AND TONE of Ron Tabak, Axl Rose...robert plant. I have a very good ear and can also play guitar..I am mostly self taught. I can make some online videos if you guys are skeptical. anyhow. I've heard alot of good things about my talent and am confident, but just dont live in a large city...therefore, the exposure that is available to me is very limited. I will be doing some youtube crap very soon. I have to stress that I am just writing this to further a potential career in music.....I am not interested in meeting Gene or Kiss. I'll admit I am a fan of 1 or 2 of their tunes....that is all. This is my personal email address. All I can say is you want to look into this. I know I have what it takes and I refuse to sell my soul to canadian or any other idol shows.

J

Response from Gene:

Thanks, J. But, there's a quicker way of finding out if you've got the goods. Why didn't this email include a video of you performing? You're killin' me.

Letters...

February 10th-

Mr. Simmons,

If it would be possible I would like to discus a business opportunity with you. I understand that you are engaged in the Indy Racing League as a public figure, sponsor and have certain rights to merchandising. I am also aware that your logo, the trademark "Money Bag," is used for a line of clothing and snowboarding equipment. Since you have a high interest in motor sports and the exposure of your company I would like to offer you an advertising opportunity. After 4 years in professional go-kart racing I will be advancing into the Canadian Formula 1200 championship. This series grooms young drivers and prepares them for feeder series such as Formula BMW (a GP2 feeder series, which then feeds to Formula One) or Indy Lights which feeds to the IndyCar series. Being affiliated with a young athlete, as you know, is a capital investment. If it would be possible to arrange a meeting with you or if we could discus this by further please contact me. Attached is a letter of reference from auto racing giant PENSKE RACING.

Thank you.

Z

Response from Gene:

Thanks for the kind words. But, I don't sponsor. People sponsor me. Which is to say, people hire me. Not the other way around. Good luck in your endeavor.

Letters...

February 4th-

I can't sleep and my mind is racing, therefore you get a letter between the chapters of my book. Yes, I'm still writing........anyway, my dear favorite rock star, I have something to say..........

I was flipping through Forbes and came across an advertisement. It was a picture of a father and newly graduated son with the line, "On day, his son would speak to the world. He wanted them to understand."
"Rosetta Stone. The fastest way to learn CHINESE."

I think it was well over a year, if not longer, when you starting telling people to learn Chinese. It does not surprise me that you are always one step ahead. Therefore, if anyone would take the time and effort to know you, they would not be writing negative things about Simmons Records. It doesn't matter what has happened in the past, when you have the knowledge and drive to make something work.

One of the gentlemen who you left a comment to on Simmons Record site is a co-owner of an entertainment resource group. I'm not saying he doesn't have some valuable information, however he is not running with the big guys. Therefore, his best effort would be to listen to people like you, not dampen your ideals.

I wish you all the best with your Canadian "Simmons Records" label.

.....Your soon to be favorite writer...

Response from Gene:

Nice of you to say those things. But criticism, in and of itself, means little. It's not WHAT someone says. It's WHO's saying it. Everyone has an assessment of how things should work. My only question is, what qualification do they have to assess anything. i.e. What have they done to make them qualified.
   So, everyone farts. Some, through their mouths.

Letters...