Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons, international rock legend and co-founder of KISS, America’s #1 gold record awardwinning group of all time in all categories (RIAA), is celebrating his 50th anniversary in rock & roll. Simmons, a renowned entrepreneur extraordinaire, has achieved successes that reach far beyond his music career, extending into television, film, merchandising, and numerous other business ventures.
 
Early Life On August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel, Chaim Witz (a.k.a. Gene Simmons) was born to Flora and Yeichel Witz. Flora, a Hungarian Jew, was incarcerated in a Nazi concentration camp when she was 14 years old along with her family. Though many of her family members did not survive internment, Flora was rescued by the American Military and fled to Israel. It was there that she met Gene’s father, Yeichel Witz. When Flora and Yeichel’s marriage dissolved, Flora immigrated to New York in 1958 in search of a more prosperous life with eight-year-old Gene by her side. Simmons quickly absorbed Western culture and learned English by watching American television and reading comic books, which inspired his iconic on-stage persona.
 
Early Musical Career Simmons’ musical interest started at a young age, but the passion to pursue the dream of becoming a legendary rock and roll artist was aroused by a televised performance by the Beatles. Inspired by the thought of fame, and the flock of girls it attracted, Gene and a few of his classmates at Joseph Pulitzer Middle School, put together their first band, The Missing Links. 
 
After middle school and throughout high school, Simmons would go on to form many bands including The Long Island Sounds, Rising Sun and Bullfrog Bheer. Simmons’ mother, and his greatest supporter, hoped he would also pursue his education, so after high school Simmons attended Sullivan County Community College where he received his associate's degree in education, and transferred to Richmond College in New York City where he received his bachelor's degree.