Top quotes by Gene Simmons

It's in the history books, the Holocaust. It's just a phrase. And the truth is it happened yesterday. It happened to my mother. I never met my grandmothers or my grandfathers. They were all wiped up in the gas chambers of Nazi Germany. Votes: 26

I'm forbidden fruit. Once you go to certain households, mommy doesn't want you to see that dirty man who sticks his tongue out and spits out blood and all that stuff. Votes: 18

James Bond has a license to kill, rockstars have a license to be outrageous. Rock is about grabbing people's attention. Votes: 16

The only jobs kids have are to do well in school, to be charming and polite, and be thankful. That's it. I'll house you, protect you, I'll even give my life for you, and in return, you will behave. Votes: 14

Rock is about finding who you are. You don't necessarily have to play your instrument very well at all. You can just barely get by and you can be in a rock band. Votes: 14

The root of all evil isn't money; rather, it's not having enough money. Votes: 12

Life is too short to have anything but delusional notions about yourself. Votes: 12

The biggest financial pitfall in life is divorce. And the biggest reason for divorce is marriage. Votes: 11

Never negotiate with kids. They don't have life experience, and they don't have repercussions for bad decisions; they still get fed and housed. Votes: 11

I also learned that I love making money. Anyone who is not afraid of work will be happy with the money they make. Votes: 10

To be in a band on the road is to have anything and everything you want just by picking up the phone. Votes: 10

First, when I was 12, I saw a Spanish girl jumping rope. I never saw her face, but it was still the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. Votes: 9

When you walk through a bad neighborhood, you don't want a poodle by your side. You want a Rottweiler. Votes: 8

The sad thing is most people have to check with someone before they do the things that make them happy. We're all passing through; the least we can do is be happy, and the only way to do that is by being selfish. Votes: 8

I'm from Israel, so America has no limits. I started a record label, and then I started managing other artists, like Liza Minelli. Votes: 8

No. Better research needed. Fire your research person. No fishnet stockings. Never. Not in this band. Votes: 8

I don't wanna go on vacation. There's nothing about it that appeals to me. People look forward to doing that; I look forward to getting up every day and doing something. Votes: 7

Television and comic books are, and continue to be, probably the biggest influence in my life. It's the biggest influence on everybody's life. Votes: 6

I have to have an emotional connection to what I am ultimately selling because it is emotion, whether you are selling religion, politics, even a breath mint. Votes: 6

I'm fascinated with myself and love hearing the sound of my own voice. I'd like to hear what I have to say. A lot of people don't like being alone because they truly don't like themselves, but I love me. Votes: 6

People who are the salt of the earth get up and go to a job that they hate. Votes: 6

I do often fly first class, but I don't travel with a posse, or bodyguard, or an assistant. Votes: 5

I am an entrepreneur in the classic mold. No matter what I do - outside of sticking my tongue out - I tend to make money, and quite a bit in non-KISS stuff. Votes: 5

There is nothing that I would do ever to break my mother's heart. Votes: 5

I fly economy. I do often fly first class, but I don't travel with a posse, or bodyguard, or an assistant. Votes: 4

I think it's pathetic that women and men treat each other worse than we treat our pets. It's love or hate. Votes: 4

My skin is more beautiful than yours. I would be quite more popular in jail if I so chose. Votes: 4

Music is feeling. You can try to verbalize it. It really just hits you or it doesn't. Votes: 4

Well, I'm like most Americans, we don't vote by party, we both by the person because a person is bigger than the party, which is why sometimes the Democrats get in and sometimes the Republicans get in. Votes: 2

I've always been anti-marriage for men until they become mature. As a species we don't mature until we're in our 60s. Votes: 1

The Beatles weren't like any other band. Everybody in the band sang, which is why you knew everybody in the band. Votes: 0

I voted for President Bush, I voted for President Clinton, and, although I do want my vote back, I voted for President Obama. Votes: 0

Before a show, you might have aches or pains, or it's a bad rainy day, or it's too humid. We all complain about stuff. But... how do I put this poetically? Once it's the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint, forget it. Once the adrenaline kicks in and your chest expands, you forget about all that. Votes: 0

I'm in a weird band. We've done very well. The American Dream is alive and well. Votes: 0

My mother had a horrific life. At fourteen, she was in the Nazi concentration camps. Her sense about life now is, every day above ground is a good day." Votes: 0

It's very professionally done, very clever songwriting. I like Backstreet Boys more than 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, it's all very well done stuff. Much better than the Partridge Family and New Kids On The Block. I took my kids to see Backstreet Boys live and they flipped out Votes: 0

I wanted to be in a band that gave bang for the buck. I wanted to be in the band who didn't look like a bunch of guys who, you know, should be in a library studying for their finals. Votes: 0

Never underestimate the power of being popular in pop culture. You have to be able to do something. You can have a good seat at the restaurant, but you still have to pay for the meal. Fame is important, but to be rich is more important. Votes: 0

You can't start motoring up life's road until you get your buns in gear. Votes: 0

The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something. Votes: 0

My mother had a horrific life. At fourteen, she was in the Nazi concentration camps. Her sense about life now is, every day above ground is a good day. Votes: 0

When you really think about it, I'm not delusional enough to think that what I do is important to life as we know it on this planet. No. But neither is what you do. Votes: 0

Women, you have all this power, I'm telling you. In business, you have something called an inferred fiduciary duty to yourself. Look at the other hugely successful women in industry, commerce, science and everywhere else and you'll see women who are feminine, beautiful but also do not rely on men for their self-empowerment. Votes: 0

Trees acquire strength by growing slowly and flexing with the pressures of nature. Us too... Votes: 0

Coming back to Israel is a homecoming. Votes: 0

I love money, I love women, I like to work hard and I don't use drugs. Votes: 0

If you look at the CEOs of some the most successful companies in the world like IKEA, they never fly first class. They always go economy. Votes: 0

Unless you took courses in architecture, engineering, or pre-med, the rest of your liberal arts education hardly prepares you for life as the business warrior and champion you envision yourself to be. Votes: 0

My mother is probably the wisest person I've ever known. She's not schooled, she's not well read. But she has a philosophy of life that makes well-read people seem like morons. Votes: 0

I'd like to think that the boring lady who's talking to me now is a lot sexier and more interesting than the one who's doing NPR. You know, studious and reserved, and - I bet you're a lot of fun at a party. Votes: 0

I refuse to stand up in front of a rabbi and my friends and the woman I love - who I will tell you I can love with all my heart - and promise she will be the only one I will ever have until the day I die. Thats a lie. Votes: 0

The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered, Votes: 0

In time of war, if you go through a bad neighborhood, I don't want a little French poodle, I want a Rottweiler on my hands. Votes: 0

When you're busy doing your own stuff it's like running a race. You try not to look over your shoulder to see who else is in the race, you do the best you can. Votes: 0

I know that you like to see a man in the kitchen, but I'm skeptical of men who cook. A man should be focusing his attention on the woman, and not what's on the stove. Votes: 0

I worship scones and danishes. If I never had another meal, I wouldn't care as long as I could eat pastries and jelly doughnuts. Votes: 0

The best you can do is set your kids on the right track; staying on it without falling is up to the kids. Votes: 0

Nobody does just one thing. But the real difference between being an entrepreneur and everyone else in the world is the ability to monetize. I am an entrepreneur in the classic mold. Votes: 0

I refuse to stand up in front of a rabbi and my friends and the woman I love - who I will tell you I can love with all my heart - and promise she will be the only one I will ever have until the day I die. That's a lie. Votes: 0

It's better to be an octopus than a fish. If an octopus loses a tentacle to a predator, the octopus will survive with seven tentacles left for itself. Votes: 0

Your date will not be impressed by you throwing up on her brand-new shoes, as you spout poetic babblings that are meaningful only to you. Votes: 0

Sugar-free ice pops are an invention of God. They hardly have any calories since they're mostly water. I eat about 15 pops every two days. Votes: 0

Being a Jew, you realize your strongest weapon is your mind. Votes: 0

Live and think like a poor man and you'll always be OK. Votes: 0

I want to do everything. I want to be the president, I want to learn Tae Kwan Do, I want to climb mountains. I'm always bugged by the notion that I can't do everything. Votes: 0

I don't wait for the calendar to figure out when I should live life. Votes: 0

When you look at Clark Kent when he's working at the Daily Planet, he's a reporter. He doesn't fly through the air in his glasses and his suit. Votes: 0

When you are a rock star in front of 20,000 people, you receive instant gratification. A rock star on tour is a king in his domain. Votes: 0

Kiss is a Fourth of July fireworks show with a backbeat. Votes: 0

Personally I support 14,000 kids in Zambia - I feed and clothe them - but I don't hold press conferences about it. I don't do it so you'll think what a nice person I am; it's private. Votes: 0

I crave ideas, and when an idea hits me, it grips me and it tortures me until I master it. Votes: 0

If you think about it, critics are an unnecessary life-form on the planet Earth, and here's why: because it's a job without credentials. You don't have to go to school. Votes: 0

If you're the greatest, it's okay to say you're the greatest. My suggestion to everybody is to be their own greatest fan. Weaker personas and personalities define that as egotistical or arrogant, but what it means is their self-esteem isn't that strong. Votes: 0

Fiscally, I'm very conservative. I don't believe in welfare states. I believe in giving people jobs. Votes: 0

You know why I'm pulling your leg? Because I can't touch it from where I am. Votes: 0

I think I know it all, relatively speaking. Votes: 0

England is a profoundly bizarre place that has produced thousands of bands the world has worshipped. Votes: 0

I was never interested in being a rock star. I always wanted to be Boris Karloff. Votes: 0

If you're building a house, or doing anything, time is what you've got. Well, there's effort, but you need time. The more time you put into something, the better stuff you can make. Votes: 0

A good marriage can be ruined by poor communications - and by forgetting to put the lid back down. Votes: 0

After 9/11, people all of a sudden became patriotic and showed the colors. Why did it take something bad to happen? It means something. People have died for it, and continue to do so. Votes: 0

Anybody who picks up a guitar and tells you that there's some inner message that they're trying to convey... it's nonsense. They're not being honest. The reason they're doing this is they wanna get lots of chicks and they don't want to work for a living. Votes: 0

Anyone who tells you they got into rock'n'roll for reasons other than girls, fame and money is full of s***. Votes: 0

Before you go out there and try to conquer the universe... get your act together. Votes: 0

Belief is self-knowing. Even Yoda out of Star Wars said, do or do not. There is no 'try' Votes: 0

Believe me, the library is the temple of God. Education is the most sacred religion of all. Votes: 0

Better to discuss everything out in the open while you're in love, then if or when the relationship sadly ends. It's called Full Disclosure Before The Fact. Votes: 0

By and large, Americans close their ears to anything not in English. That's stupid because there's some great music around the world that we should be listening to. Votes: 0

Despite what your girlfriend may have told you, size is important, bigger is better. Votes: 0

Don't believe bands who say it's all about the fans and they want to give their music away for free. The result is they will continue to live in their mother's basement. Votes: 0

Education, especially business education will only give you tools. What you do with these tools is all that matters. Life and business isn't paint by numbers. You have to think for yourself. You have to invent yourself. You have an inferred fiduciary mandate to yourself, and that means, it's your responsibility to learn people skills, and language skills, in order to increase your chances of success. You also have to be at the right place, at the right time, with the right thing. Mostly and invariably, the real product you're going to be selling is"¦.you. Votes: 0

Elvis is the king of rock and roll, who made white kids shake there shackle. Votes: 0

Every other band should be wiping my ass. The line forms over there to the left. Votes: 0

Fame is important, but to be rich is more important. Votes: 0

Fans like their heroes simple. I'm supposed to stick out my tongue twenty-four hours a day and do nothing else. Votes: 0

Gene Simmons planned on being a success the moment he launched himself out of his mother's womb. Votes: 0

Get rid of the friends who want you to spend your whole day doing nothing with them. They're not your friends. They're your enemies. Votes: 0

I don't know whether you [musician] can be all things to everybody, which is why there are different kinds of music. Votes: 0

I don't speak cockney and I don't pretend to come from that part of the world. For the longest time the English, like the Beatles and so on sounded American. "She loves you yeah yeah yeah!" All of the sudden you sound American. It doesn't work that way with Americans who try to sing English. It's not convincing. If I say "Footy" and "tele" and "Brissy" and "Sydney" and "Simmo" it's not convincing. Votes: 0

I hope the guy who came up with the phrase 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll' rots in hell, I'd like to change it so it makes more sense: 'sex death and rock 'n' roll' Votes: 0

I like to approach every day like it's the only day I will ever have. Votes: 0

I think that Shakespeare is a s***. Absolute s***! He may have been a genius for his time, but I just can't relate to that stuff. "Thee and thous" - the guy sounds like a faggot. Votes: 0

I want to be dictator. Votes: 0

I would recommend you watch the movie 'Jobs' starring Ashton Kutcher, if you don't have time to read Jobs's biography. Votes: 0

I would urge all bands that say they only care about credibility and don't care about money to send Gene Simmons every dollar that they don't want. I'd be happy to take it off them. Votes: 0

If a vacuum cleaner salesman rings your front door, he will be selling HIMSELF first. The vacuum cleaner is secondary. Votes: 0

If you choose to become a smoker, you are an idiot, and you may lack the discipline and intelligence to be a successful entrepreneur. Votes: 0

If you look at YOURSELF as the brand, then you will understand an intrinsic truth: People judge. Votes: 0

If you take a life, I will take yours. Put me in charge, I will fix it. Votes: 0

If you want to welcome me with open arms, I'm afraid you're also going to have to welcome me with open legs, Votes: 0

If your songs connect with the fans and they pump their fists in the air and go "Yeah!!" that's when a song really works. That's the electric church of it. The glory hallelujah of it. Votes: 0

If you're a man in your twenties or thirties, and you have yet to make your fortune, I would urge you not to get married. Votes: 0

If you're lucky, you don't think in a straight line. Votes: 0

I'll get rid of the drug problem. The first drug dealer will be publicly executed in front of everybody and all of the sudden the rest of the drug dealers are going to go "Uh oh!" Watch how fast the drug problem disappears. If you use drugs, you're addicted and you steal something, you'll get sent off to the outback and to work camps and all of the sudden no drug addicts. See how simple that is? So simple. Votes: 0

I'm aware, as a sane person, that I'm not the best-looking guy in the world. I'm aware of it. But when I go into a party, I will walk out with your girlfriend. Votes: 0

I'm pissed at a nickel because it isn't a dime. Votes: 0

Imagine there are no men in life, Votes: 0

It is really sad for the new artists. Where's the next Elvis, where's the next Beatles, where's the Zeppelin? They're out there but they don't have a chance because once upon a time we [musicians of the 60s] had record companies, and they would support you and have point of purchase material and they would give you advances. In other words, they gave you the air to breathe to find yourself and spend the time to learn how to run. Votes: 0

It's easy to be drowned out by the crowd, but to thine own self be true, say I, no matter what everybody says, no matter what the popular vibe is. Votes: 0

It's hard to see your destination when you're focused on the cracks in the sidewalk. Votes: 0

It's too easy to do a patriotic-themed show to crawl into people's hearts and minds. Votes: 0

I've never been high or drunk in my life. Votes: 0

Kiss is not a charity. Never, ever mix commerce and charity. Votes: 0

Ladies, first and foremost: you're on your own. No more rules neatly laid out for you to follow. You have to make up YOUR OWN rules. Votes: 0

Let's look different! I like monster movies, so why can't I have Godzilla's face on my boots? Votes: 0

Let's say you're a garage mechanic, and you have big dreams about opening up your own chain of branded garages around the country. Terrific. Votes: 0

Live well - respire frequently. Votes: 0

Marriage is an institution, and you must be fully committed to it. Votes: 0

Men want success and sex. Women want everything. Votes: 0

Most people are so busy living they neglect to take the time to ask why. Votes: 0

Music is the only industry where you don't need to know what you're doing to get ahead. Well, that and politics. Votes: 0

My background is full of pain. My mother was in a Nazi concentration camp and our whole family was killed off. Then early on your father leaves and all you've got is your mother, and I was an only child. Then you come to a new country and I can't speak English. Votes: 0

My hero is me. Why? Because I was a poor little kid who was told, `Hey stupid, can`t you speak English?` Now all those people work for me. Despite whatever circumstances I came across, I was always able to rise to the top and there`s only one way to do that - by being selfish, but also by believing in yourself. Belief is self-knowing. Even Yoda out of Star Wars said, `Do or do not. There is no try. Votes: 0

My sense is that file sharing started in predominantly white, middle- and upper-middle-cl ass young people who were native-born, who felt they were entitled to have something for free, because that's what they were used to. Votes: 0

No one has the right to shake his finger in your face. Votes: 0

Our job is to leave the world a little better than we found it. Not the same... not worse... better. Votes: 0

Our perception of yesterday is the foundation for our expectations of tomorrow. Votes: 0

People are only what we believe them to be. Votes: 0

People who are qualified are symphonic orchestra players and jazz musicians; they're qualified to do what they do. Rock stars are lucky. It's a combination of right time, right place and having certain genes or a gimmick or whatever, but it's really not anything more than sugar. It tastes good and goes away fast. Votes: 0

Prince, sad to say, has passed on!!!He was a Giant. My deep condolences go out to his family, friends and fans. Votes: 0

Recognize a rock 'n' roller for what he is, which is a damned lucky guy not to have to work for a living. Votes: 0

Rock bands are a lot like football teams: If a guy is on drugs and messes up, get someone else who's proud to wear the uniform and be part of the team. Votes: 0

Rock stars are idiots. You know that! Remember this moron never went to music school, never learned music theory and can't read or write music. So why not be suspicious of everything this idiot says? Votes: 0

That's why I'm a big supporter of the death penalty. I want to be the hangman. I would put many more people to death like the kids who want to kill other people, I'd put 'em to death. Votes: 0

That's why I'm a big supporter of the death penalty. I want to be the hangman. I would put many more people to death like the kids who want to kill other people, I'd put 'em to death. Postal workers who get arrested, they have mental problems. You know what? When you're dead you don't have a mental problem. If you take a life, I will take yours. Put me in charge, I will fix it. Votes: 0

The biggest reason for divorce is marriage. Votes: 0

The most important word in American, in Western culture, is "I." Votes: 0

The only thing wrong with marriage is that one of the persons involved is a man. Votes: 0

There are many really stupid ideas that wind up being brilliant, if you can implement them. Votes: 0

There are no limitations to any of our dreams. Votes: 0

There is not a single person alive who could keep a straight face and say "Oh yeah it's healthy, the reason I use drugs and alcohol and booze is because it's healthy!" Votes: 0

There's an old adage that says that money is the root of all evil. Bullshit. Lack of money is the root of all evil. Votes: 0

Walk amongst the natives by day, but in your heart be Superman. Votes: 0

We don't know whether or not it's the Farewell Tour odr the Jews in Space Tour, which I prefer as a title. Votes: 0

Wealth for its own sake is an empty shell. Wealth that includes making other people's lives better will reward you even more than the beautiful mansion you live in. Votes: 0

Well being in Kiss is having a more limited spectrum. It's a smaller playground to play in because there are limitations. I'm the big bad wolf and I'm supposed to do this and that. There are rules, which are self imposed I must say, but there are rules. We break enough of them, but the truth is that being Gene Simmons in an album called 'Asshole' forged me the opportunity of just recreating myself. Very much Jekyll and Hyde. Mr. Hyde is the big bad guy and Dr. Jekyll has studied and both are connected. Votes: 0

What we have is pretty meaningless. It's what we are that counts. Votes: 0

When I meet a woman, I don't think, 'Gee, I wonder if she's read the latest thesis by Stephen Hawking? I think, 'Great tits.' Votes: 0

When you're dead you don't have a mental problem. Votes: 0

Why is it that most of the folks I know think "personal growth" is caused entirely by those second and third helpings of biscuits and gravy? Votes: 0

William Shakespeare sounds to me like some kind of faggot. Votes: 0

With just a little effort, life can be more or less exceptionally tolerable. Votes: 0

You always start off with passion and the people that have it. Votes: 0

You and I and everyone else have the attention span of gnats. And that means that saying or doing anything once simply doesn't work. Votes: 0

You can't go through life and leave things the way they are. We can all make a difference, and if I die today, I know I made a difference. Votes: 0

You can't rely on anything. At the end of the day, all you have is yourself. Votes: 0

You don't need jails, you get put a thousand miles into the middle of Australia, you can go wherever you want, go ahead, but if you come into a city it's straight to jail. Votes: 0

You have to understand that nothing appeals to everybody. Votes: 0

You need to eat, but you don't really need to eat filet mignon every night or buy bottles of champagne at a thousand a pop. Votes: 0

I have sold my soul to the devil. Votes: 0

Happy new year everbody! And remember: be kind to eachother. Votes: 0

The problem you ultimately want to have, as an entrepreneur, is deciding who to help, not deciding who can help you. Votes: 0

Within the perfect situation, not everything is perfect. Votes: 0