Gene Simmons, the fire-breathing, blood-spitting, bass-playing co-founder of KISS will turn 70 on Sunday.
Gene Simmons talked about turning 70 this Sunday:
"I'm in great shape, sleep good, stronger than I've ever been, singing better than I've ever sung -- my voice does not go away. Part of it is DNA and genes -- either you have a weak voice or a strong voice -- and part of it is just caring enough to put the effort in. So, we're doing this [End of the Road tour] at the right time. When I get off stage I'll be 72, thereabouts. That's good. If we wore sneakers and T-shirts like the Stones and U2 and other great bands, we could do this into our 80s."
Simmons was born Chaim Witz in Israel on August 25th, 1949. He immigrated to the U.S. with his mother when he was eight.
The New York City schoolteacher who had changed his name to Gene Klein formed KISS with Paul Stanley after leaving a band called Wicked Lester. Beyond music, Simmons is businessman, reality TV star, author and actor. He lives in Beverly Hills, California with his wife, former Playboy model Shannon Tweed. They have two grown children -- Nicholas and Sophie.
Simmons and KISS are in Darien Center, New York tonight (Friday) and Saratoga Springs, New York on Saturday. He'll be off for his birthday.