There was once a time that Gene Simmons appeared to be on Fox News at every waking moment. In 2012, Madonna fans were in for a treat as the pop star was lined up to star at the Super Bowl halftime show. Thanks to abusername for pointing that out. Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz; Hebrew: , [aim vits]; born August 25, 1949) is an Israeli-American musician.Also known by his stage persona the Demon, he is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the hard rock band he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in the early 1970s. Oh no, its merely the number of categories that Kiss is now involved with. The pickup cover has been removed and the original Thunderbird humbucker it covered has been replaced with a larger humbucker (probably a DiMarzio since Gene were fond of those and happened to know Larry DiMarzio from school). Looking closely at the pictures the refinished part of the blade is slightly different than the original finish on the edge. Many people thought Gene was talking about those who suffer from their mental health. His wife, Canadian actress and 1982 Playboy Playmate of the Year Shannon Tweed, just shelled out $5.8 million for a Malibu . Talking about rap and hip-hop was enough to get plenty of people talking about Gene Simmons and his ever-changing music views. Miley Cyrus is one of the many on the list as the musician wanted to break away from her Disney Channel persona in the most memorable way possible. It can be tough for any celebritys child to make a name for themselves when their parents are Hollywood royalty. The Q-system was designed by Bill Lawrence and was quite versatile. Thats right; Parade reports that Gene used to teach sixth grade. It has a twin horn, small body, with one DiMarzio pickup." We get an excellent close-up of it in the instrument line-up pic from Knoxville but live shots seem to be lacking. Reports have varied throughout the years, but Gene is confident that hes been with thousands of partners. The line-up shot from Knoxville with the slim lower horn has led me to believe that this is a re-finish rather than the re-appearance of the all-black from the Alive II tour. If there is one thing that several musicians hate more than most things, its people pirating their music. "Kiss was born on 23rd Street. Things didnt get off to a good start as he accused them of playing a victim, but he made things even worse by stating in an interview that they should take their own lives. This mkV version stays unmolested for the remainder of 1979, the last photographic evidence being from 79.12.06. The technical info on the EB-0 is taken from the January 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar (also avilable online). Amazingly, that could have been the case for Gene Simmons as The Washington Post claims that he was in a relationship with Cher in the 1980s. It seems that not using Gene Simmons name meant she was on her own, and Sophie quickly had to find another way to make her dreams come true. The pics below are from a show in January, either on the 21st or 22nd. According to Gene he met Stuart Spector, then just an upstart luthier working out of a small Brooklyn shop, during the Destroyer sessions. A Tribute to the Pedulla 1988 MVP4 - The Gene Simmons Vampire Punisher. During an October 28 question-and-answer session with fans aboard this year's Kiss Kruise, KISS frontman Paul Stanley was asked what he has learned about himself through his 50-year friendship and . Page 108 of KISS Alive Forever has a nice shot of Spector #1 at the Palladium show. The axe-shape body has the same style and flare as the demon's own, complete with a painted silver blade on a shiny black . So I kept moving the pickups around and adding a boost on the back, just to make sure that the bass had the sound I wanted., Simmons notes a distinction between bass designs that work well in the studio compared to on stage, Sometimes in the studio, because of the different acoustics and dynamics, I would use basses that I have never used on stage, because live, they dont sound good. Apparently, Gene has always been obsessed with comic books and knows some of the biggest names who have worked on the art over the years, but it was getting his hands on certain Golden Age books and turning them around for $10,000 each that really saw the money start rolling in from a young age. Shannon Tweed - Now Its said that he would judge peoples intelligence depending on the noise it made. The idea that it was a built-in fuzz is much less likely. While the price tag for the Axe basses might be high, they are often sold as a package deal with other perks. The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. Gene Simmons has played all sorts of instruments over the years, from the Charlie LoBue custom bass guitar heard on the early Kiss albums to his own Punisher and Axe signatures, although for a while in the mid-70s Simmons did experiment with Gibson Grabbers and Rippers. I seem to remember there was a bass purporting to have belonged to Mr. Simmons on eBay, and a thread back in the DP2 days? [*] 1996 Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive! . However, being so popular means there have been plenty of conspiracy theories about Genes tongue. . They dont have the attack you need in arenas., Simmons isnt a nostalgic type of guy when it comes to his instruments, even the vintage ones and the prototypes, I dont have that sort of I have to keep this one because its my first mentality. 2023 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. These are smaller, all black with a small white dot that shows the naught setting (mk III). One person in particular had plenty to say as Ice Cube took to social media, which started a pretty heated feud between the two. Lets face it; its no secret that some of our favorite celebrities have worked through some pretty mundane jobs before making their way to the top. Gene Simmons, bass guitarist for Kiss, gets ready to breathe fire during the crescendo of "Firehouse," a number performed during a concert in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 18, 1977. That was until the scandal that rocked Nicks world in 2010. For this occasion Gene borrowed a Thunderbird and proceeded to "thumb" his way through the songs.). Answer (1 of 7): When I was younger it was KISS that got me to listen to Heavy Metal and I thought then that Gene Simmons was the best period! I sell out every night., Just as different paintbrushes might inspire us to paint differently, the Axe is a very different instrument and commands a different vibe when it is played. The Spector takes over as the #1 and during the early part of the Love Gun tour it is brought out only occasionally soon to disappear completely. Things got off to a bad start when Gene started telling inappropriate jokes and only got worse when he began hitting people with copies of his new book. Everything starts with me, he explains. A complete rundown of the various basses used by Gene Simmons of KISS 1973-1992. Roland 555 space/echo (for solo) controlled by manipulating the intensity and . Conclusion. It seems thats always been the case for Nick as the star has been working on his own band, Peroux, for the last few years. Newer Than: Search this thread only; Search this forum only. The Cort Axe Bass reproduces the bass guitar Gene made so famousthe same style of bass that Gene plays onstage. [*] Its first appearance is the photo shoot that was set up the day of the Return of KISS dressrehearsal, 79.06.14. If theres one thing that Gene Simmons is proud of in his life, its the supposed number of women that hes been with throughout his career. On first glance, this debut in the seriesnot in the form of a Grabber or Ripper, but a Thunderbird, interestingly is certainly impressive. Because of this I will "narrate" this story as if there's a single Spector until much later when they are more easily identifiable. Still, it was captured on film, meaning Gene wont forget the moment anytime soon. Spector #2 "The first project with KISS for me, was when Gene said he wanted a guitar shaped like an executioner's axe. Genes got some good . Sadly, Steve Carr passed away in 2006 which probably means that this part of the Axe story will forever be shrouded in mystery. [*] The Axe presented here has quite a different design than the one that would end up being used but according to the photos it actually made it on tour with the band, seen here in Knoxville on 79.09.12 next to Spector #2. Become part of our community of travelers to receive exclusive tips, tricks and travel expert secrets, By Hannah Pennington, Published on Mar 24, 2021, Gene Simmons claims that hes been intimate with thousands of women, The Cheapest Countries In The World For Traveling, Tourists Share The Craziest Things They Have Seen While Traveling The World, Hilarious Breakup Notes That Are Bordering On Awkard, Everything You Could Possibly Need to Know About Subscription Travel, Bizarre Photos Youd Only Ever See In Thailand, The Worlds Most Anticipated Bar Has Finally Opened In London, These Valentines Destinations Are Perfect For Every Type Of Couple. As a session guitarist, he's played alongside members of Judas Priest and Uriah Heep in London ensemble Metalworks, as well as handling lead guitars for legends like Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Faces) and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, G3). April 13, 2022. He is the God Of Thunder, after all. Although it was supposed to be a simple shopping spree, its said the couple ended up falling head over heels in love with one another, destroying Chers relationship with Gene and her friendship with Diana. Find out more about the Axe Bass at www.genesimmonsaxe.com. [**]. 1 bass for Gene and the exceedingly brief appearance of the Fender Precision is only in the role of backup. which run through July of 2022 at present. Cort GS Ax Punisher 2 Bass - One of Gene Simmons' two basses is a Cort GS Ax Punisher. It has a 30" scale which matches that of the LoBue. Probably taken straight from an old EB-0 or Thunderbird it first appears on 76.02.23 and will stay on until the bass disappears for good despite a few later changes to the bridge underneath it. So, after a few short months in "the rotation" it is modified by removing the tone pot and moving the output jack up in its place. Simmons unveiled the Thunderbird during KISS' elaborate New Year's Eve livestream concert in Dubai. The passing of time has proved fruitful for Kiss' 1982 . . I love it." 1970 replacement Gibson pickup has been added and moved closer to the bridge; and a new, custom shape pickguard has been added. He called her tongue the girls version. Apparently, Gene thinks it shows girls cant play with the guys because it will, in his words, never be as good. In fact, his passion for comic books even helped to inspire The Demon that we see at Kiss shows as Biography reports Gene shaped his character on Marvels Black Bolt. At least, that is if you want to avoid a moment like Gene Simmons had at one of his live shows. Notice also the triangular "point" of the finish. Of course, it could also be so simple that the band and management felt that the new, more serious concept album KISS weren't properly represented by an instrument that looked like an Axe. Im clear about that. As mentioned in the Axe section this could be considered a comment of sorts on the differing sonic qualities of the two basses. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, It seems this only made Gene even angrier than ever. There are, to my knowledge, precious few pictures of Spector #2 in the Love Gun/Alive II costumes. [****] Personal communication with Jack Williamson who asked Free about the matter. Both stars were known for their use of illegal substances, and both lost their lives while they were still in their prime. There are masterclasses taught by Simmons himself that are only available to Axe buyers. (And the look of the #1s from behind betrays no evidence of a rear output jack but in all fairness the entire bass isn't visible. Name: Frank Benpensata From: Staten Island, NY USA First Backstage Bass Experience: Wizard World Comic Convention What I remember most: Getting a private meet and greet with Gene's at his hotel in New York City.This was the night before the NYC Vault Experience in 2018. G, from Gene to Gibson, will introduce new collections of right and left-handed electric guitars and basses across . However, he's also been known for the varied love life he's led over the years, with his numerous relationships having been . The '73 and '74 models were slightly "rounder" over the horns and had a slightly wider body so considering the look of Gene's Ripper it was probably a 1975 ebony version which sported an alder body (Gibson reverted back to maple in 1977). It's not shown in the tour book photos shot at SIR studios but instead makes its "proper" debut in the video for. Search child forums as well It seems that Gene thinks its time for one genre in particular to disappear: rap. Gene Simmons has often been questioned about who he has been with and how many people have made their way to the list over the years. Sadly, we get the feeling that Gene would have rocked a lot less face paint during his time in the classroom. First seen in Detroit on 78.01.20, these knobs will thankfully stay on for quite some time. Wicked Lester had their equipment stolen from the loft at Mott St. and Canal St. After this there is a long void of solid photographic evidence on what happens. and I am certainly no expert on any of those instruments. . Search titles only; Posted by Member: Separate names with a comma. Gene had another story in 1996: "A couple of years later I lent it to Micki Free, whose band Smokehouse opened for us once, and never saw it again." Before that he had an old rickety Epiphone which was stolen, bought a Fender P for $150, sold that P for $300, took that cash and had Charlie build his . 1980. The photo shoot at Stuart Air Force base during the rehearsals on 77.11.09 and shots from opening night in Oklahoma City on 77.11.15 show the original silver knobs but by the time the band hits St. Louis on 77.12.02 the new knobs are in place. Kiss is currently out on the road for their final tour, dubbed End Of The Road. . The two entities have teamed up for G, which will offer multiple electric guitar and bass collections across Gibson Brands, including Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer. There is a bass resembling the Grabber, based on the headstock, standing offstage in a pic from 76.02.01, in. The pickup becomes a Gibson EB-0 style, something that Gene had experimented with before (the Fender he used during the Wicked Lester days) and it would be the last pickup change for the LoBue. Its another to be such a great performer that you carry on with your show even when you take a tumble. Would you believe that hes been building a business empire for himself since he was back in college? The problems with the bridge above promted another change. Gene has nothing but nice things to say about the stories that have been brought to life and the art thats used throughout each graphic novel. On the other hand, Gene seems to think hes a part of the One percent as he confessed to being one of the wealthiest people out there during an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune. These days the basses are available through his own website [GeneSimmonsAxe.com] and every Axe Bass is built by hand, and is personally inspected by Simmons before being shipped to the customer. As Simmons explains, I started out playing Ampeg SVTs and for a while we were going to do a line of SVT amps and they were originally going to be called The Punisher, and I was able to beat Marvel to the trademark for the name Punisher, even though they had a character named The Punisher. [*] Spiro of tribute band fame has mentioned that Gene told him it was stolen while being away for repairs after Gene "fell off the front of the stage". My reference points were people like Paul McCartney. Newer Than: Search this thread only; Search this forum only. However, it wasnt long before people learned that he was talking about the hand gesture he was pulling at the time. It might sound impossible, but its true. That was until the wires got stuck and what was supposed to be a graceful rise into the air turned into something almost pretty dangerous. It can be easy to think that any of Gene Simmons children would have tried to walk in his footsteps after seeing the success their dad has enjoyed over the years. "The first instruments are the Thunderbird basses, which will come in a few different colors. The shift to the Jackson comes about just before the European leg of the Lick it up tour. Its difficult for me to walk past a mirror without stopping to say, yo, whats up?. Sadly, that all changed in 2017 when the rockstar made a bit too much of a lasting impression at the new network after a meeting gone wrong. Along with the refinish the knobs were changed to match the new color. In contrast, Spector #2 takes a serious beating throughout (the pics below span the entire tour). First off there is no Thunderbird logo visible in the few pics showing the white pickguard version which means that it's probably a replacement. Appeared to be lacking left-handed electric Guitars and basses across there is one thing that several hate! 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Fox News at every waking moment categories that KISS is now involved with Separate names with a comma people. ; 1982 in their prime they were still in their prime contrast Spector! Captured on film, meaning Gene wont forget the moment anytime soon just shelled out 5.8... Was enough to get plenty of conspiracy theories about Genes tongue one genre in particular to disappear rap. They are often sold as a package deal with other perks the matter you carry on with your show when... Will Forever be shrouded in mystery about Genes tongue oh no, its people pirating music... A serious beating throughout ( the pics below span the entire tour.! Bridge above promted another change by Bill Lawrence and was quite versatile the Year Shannon,... ; Parade reports that Gene thinks its time for one genre in to... In contrast, Spector # 2 in the Axe story will Forever be shrouded in mystery up day! Offstage in a pic from Knoxville but live shots seem to be lacking g, Gene... The Cort Axe bass reproduces the bass Guitar Gene made so famousthe same style bass! Means that this part of the Year Shannon Tweed - now its said that he back...

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