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Gene Simmons was born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel on August 25, 1949. His mother having survived Nazi Concentration Camps, decided to move her and her son to America. Gene (Gene Cline) grew up in New York City and mostly learned English from comic books, cartoons, and scary movies. He met Paul Stanley through his friend Steve Coronel, during a small guitar session. Gene told Paul to play something; he was impressed, but he didn't let him know that. He came up with his persona "The Demon" through watching horror movies and reading comic books. His black and white bat-wing makeup pattern was inspired by Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera. Gene's fire-breathing and serpentine tounge have become American rock icons. |
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| Paul Stanley was born Stanley Eison in Queens, New York on January 20th, 1952. Growing up, Paul went to Manhattan High School of Music and Art. The first time he met Gene, he thought that he was very full of himself and cocky, and that was very true. Paul Stanley's character, "the Starchild", was from the image of "the ultimate rockstar". He has said his character is a cross between Elvis, a gameshow host, and an evangelical preacher. Paul Stanley is said to be one of the best showman/frontman of any rock and roll band of the past 33 years. |
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Ace Frehley was born Paul Frehley on April 27th, 1951 in The Bronx, New York City. He received his first electric guitar at the age of 14. Ace answered an ad in The Village Voice for a guitarist with flash. He stumbled into the loft with one red sneaker and one orange sneaker on. He plugged up and played almost everything he knew. He was the perfect guitarist for KISS. Ace came up with the character the "Space Ace" because he was always interested in space and loved science fiction. The double star-burst makeup soon became a trademark in the world of legendary guitarists. |
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| Peter Criss was born Peter Criscoula on December 20, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in a very jazz-oriented family with a rough background. Gene and Paul answered to his ad in a local music magazine- "drummer with 11 years experience, willing to do anything." Peter Criss chose the "Catman" persona because of his rough up-bringing as a child in New York. He got into constant fights and caused trouble for others. As Gene says, "If he doesn't have nine lives, I don't know who does. He's survived countless fights and car wrecks, it's a wonder he's still alive." |
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