On January the 13th, Random House/Crown flew me up to Toronto for press and a book signing to promote KISS AND MAKEUP. I'm proud to say, by the way, the book is on the New York Times Best Seller List.
I did interviews with: the Toronto Star, the Toronto Sun, the National Post, CFRB talk radio, CTV, Q107 radio, Chart magazine, Global tv, CBTV, Much Music tv twice that day, and then the signing at Chapters book store.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you who showed. It was amazing. You brought your kids. You gave me presents. You offered various body parts for me to sign. Breasts. Arms covered with mine and the band's tattoos. And, yes...even that powerful and attractive man over there actually pulled down his pants, bent over and showed everyone how my makeup was tattooed on his cheeks. He even showed me fotos of how he stuck a red necktie between his...er...crack (so that it looked like I was sticking my tongue out...get it?) and how girls AND guys were snapped kissing his butt.
The evening meant alot to me.
And, the last person on the line knows I stayed until each and every one of you got an autograph. The signing lasted six hours.
On Wednesday Jan the 16th, I met the team at NELVANA who will be working on my cartoon show, MY DAD, THE ROCK STAR. I was flattered to see what looked like the entire staff greet me for autographs and fotos. Thanks. It made me feel a bit less nervous. I'm sure you all feel unsure when you're about to meet alot of new people face to face. In my case, some people already seem to know me, even though we have never met. It always takes awhile for people to settle down and realize that the Gene Simmons they think they know is not the real me. It's a preconceived notion they have based on what they've heard and read....sometimes not all true.
I met with everyone and we batted the "tone" of the show around. I listened to different actors reading the various characters. Some were hilarious. And, I was tested as the "voice" of DAD, THE ROCK STAR. I also tried a pass as the voice of Skunk, his roadie who lives right outside their home in a trailer. I had a ball.
On Thursday Jan the 17th, I flew to Washington DC and met with Tom Wheeler, who is involved with the cell phone industry. The entire cell phone industry. We batted around some interesting ideas. Big ones. As they develop and become a reality, I'll fill you in.
On the way out, Tom was surprised to see his entire staff (mostly beautiful women, I might add) gather around for fotos and autographs. He said he had never seen anything like it. I explained it was my job.
On the way to the airport, Tom called me on my cell to ask me if I had called the Washington Post. I said no. He couldn't figure out why and how they knew I had gone to see him. They wanted to know why I had gone to see him, what we talked about...the usual. I spoke to them and they told me that they had "people on the street" who report to them. Someone had spotted me.
I also met the president of the Canadian branch of Bank Of America. More on this later. Got back to LA.
Today, Jan the 20th, my son Nick is having his 13th birthday party. Can't believe it. This kid is 6'2" (my height), has a size 12 1/2" size shoe (mine's 11"). Never missed a day of school. Not one. In fact, the school gave him an award plaque. He's in Advanced Studies. If it sounds like I'm bragging, I've got bragging rights. I'm his dad!
And, when my daughter Sophie turns 10, you'll hear about it. Sorry. My site.
Sunday, Jan the 20th, I'll be meeting with Tony Michalaros. Tony reps a Chinese company that has a property I'm very interested in. The company, Awesome Kids, Inc owns the Awesome Kids potential franchise rights and we're meeting to try and work out a deal for licensing, merchandising and for a cartoon show.
Same day, I'll be meeting with Barry Lesh from PLAYBOY video about a potential line of a "very soft" new Playboy series: THE GIRLS OF KISS. Also interested in doing this is JUPITER ENT, ADAM AND EVE and other companies. I'll also direct one of them, or perhaps a separate title, when time permits. More on this later.
VIVID video approached me about directing a direct to video title. More on this later.
And later still that day, I'll be meeting with ED DADA, my business associate in GENE SIMMONS DRAGONFLY, my clothing line, to see the newest up to date versions of the line.
And still later, I'll be meeting with TOMMY THAYER, who just did another pass at the KISS PROMO video (for corporate America) adding the NASCAR event onto our reel. And, I'll also be meeting with someone who will take in my onstage outfit. Yes. I have lost weight. Miracles do happen.
Monday, Jan the 21st, I'll be in Las Vegas to pitch a Vegas show to a hotel chain with my partner and friend Scott Steindorff. Scott and I met in Vegas about two weeks ago and we visited a site that looks perfect for our show. More on this later.
On Tuesday Jan the 22nd, I'll be speaking with NEWSWEEK about my upcoming GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine venture.
Then, I'll be meeting with Brett Gannon, president of Mainframe, the company that has a joint venture with KISS for a super hero computer animated series I created. It's called (for now) KISS: The Elder. Brett and I will be attending NAPTE, which is the television industry convention. Buyers and sellers get together.
Later that day, Mark and Rena (SABLE) Mero and I will meet to talk about Rena's feature in TONGUE. I had originally seen Rena on the covers of PLAYBOY and TV GUIDE and after reading some of her life story, I thought it would make a good ROCKY type story. A small town girl becomes champion...in the wrestling ring. I then set the project up at DESTINATION FILMS (they made BATS and EYE OF THE STORM). Unfortunately, the company went belly up and so did the project. More on this later.
I stay in Vegas through Thursday January the 24th, when I'll be doing a corporate appearance for PREMIER (the company who approached me), LEAP WIRELESS and their CRICKET cell phone. It's actually very exciting new technology and I'm happy to be apart of them.
On Monday, Jan the 28th, I'll be interviewing HUGH HEFNER at the PLAYBOY Mansion for the cover story of the premier issue of GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine. The cover will sport Hef and a beautiful bevy of beauties...sticking their tongues out!!!
I'll catch the red eye that night to be in New York to meet with investment bankers on a deal I can't speak about just yet. But, to say I'm excited would minimize my feelings.
I may stay in New York through Feb the 6th, when KISS will be appearing at the LANE BRYANT FIRST KISS event. Beautiful plus size models will be parading all the latest women's wear. I'm happy to report Ace is going to be joining us for the shindig. Ace and I spoke a few weeks ago. I called him to make sure he knew I loved him when he's straight and that I wanted to send him my book. Most importantly, I wanted him AND YOU to know that KISS is a much more exciting band with Ace than without Ace...and that I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'll be staying in New York through TOY FAIR. It'll be held at the JACOB JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER. Art Asylum will be debuting a new line of KISS figures. Wait'll you seem 'em. They're great! And, my good friend Todd McFarlane will be debuting the last line of new KISS action figures. Lots of fun.
And, looking ahead to February the 14th, I'll be doing a book signing at BOOK SOUP, on Sunset Blvd...right across the street from TOWER RECORDS, where Paul and I did the signing for the KISS BOX SET. Hope to see you all there.
By the way, (and I have to take a deep breath for this), the BOX SET is already gold and on its way to platinum. They tell us KISS IS THE #1 AMERICAN GROUP GOLD RECORD WINNERS OF ALL TIME~!!! Internationally, we are right behind the BEATLES, God bless 'em.
Thanks to YOU...
Fred Durst is coming over tomorrow to be interviewed for the first issue of GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine. Later in the day, I'll be shooting the cover of England's MOJO magazine. I'm told I will be sharing the cover with, among others, Paul McCartney. Can't wait.
On the 4th, I spent the entire day working on my second book, BUY THIS VOL. I (How I Got Rich And How You Can Too). The book will take a few months to write and hope to have it out by the fall.
On the 3rd and 4th, I did satellite interviews with about 30 radio stations across the country to promote my book.
Spent New Year's Eve at Bob Ezrin's house party and then went over to the Playboy Mansion with Miss Tweed to ring in the New Year. While there, I cornered Bill Maher to be interviewed for my magazine. He graciously agreed.
POLITICALLY INCORRECT called and asked me to be on the show Monday the 7th.
On the 3rd, I auditioned for an Ameritrade commercial...playing the Bull (as in Wall Street -- the bulls and the bears). We'll see if they liked me.
Later that day, I met with Chris Sloan and Doug Herzog at USA TV to talk about the GENE SIMMONS SHOW....a variety show. We'll see...
ABC Radio and I will meet shortly to discuss a GENE SIMMONS radio show...We'll see...
Monday the 7th, I'll be doing some promo for my book on LA's KTLA TV, then FOX TV.
Tuesday the 8th, I'll be on LA's KIIS radio and then by 6pm, I'll be at Brentano's book store at the Century 14 theater complex for a book signing. Looking forward to that.
On the 9th, I'll be doing another satellite radio marathon for the book. Then, I'll be tentatively pitching LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES, starring Tim Allen, at Catch 23 to Jeremy Barber.
And, later that day, Paul and I will don warpaint and head on down to the AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS to present one of the categories.
On the 10th, Dan (THE HURRICANE/writer) Gordon and I will be pitching a project to John Miller at MTV for a series.
And then, GENE SIMMONS TONGUE editor Steve Appleford and I will be heading out to Las Vegas to cover the AVN Awards. The AVN show is the Adult Video Award...a sort of Academy Awards show...only, more fun.
My speech to them (and to everyone) is pretty simple: you will get out of life what you put into it. You will either be a follower or a leader. Following is easy. You don't have to think and you don't have to do much...just follow the butt in front of you. To be a leader means you have to do all the work and all the thinking and planning. It also means you win big and you win first.