Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels

Following in the footsteps of Ozzy Osbourne, rock legend Gene Simmons has gone the reality TV route. The fire breathing, blood spitting, co-founder of the rock band Kiss will be premiering his new reality based show, ‘Family Jewels’ on A&E tonight.

With Gene Simmons’ reputation firmly entrenched in the history of rock and roll, from his on larger than life stage presence to his legendary womanizing days, fans will get a surprise with the rocker’s home life. Unlike ‘The Osbournes’, Gene and his partner, former playboy playmate, Shannon Tweed get along just fine. According to The Boston Globe, away from the image of a rock and roll star, Gene Simmons is actually a down to earth guy that loves his kids, their mother and is a good dad. It is also reported that fans looking for a lot of tension at the Beverly Hills mansion will be disappointed, because the Simmons clan get along very well with each other. When there is a disagreement, however, it seems as though everything has been well rehearsed and the family ends up laughing together in the end.

As a heads up for what fans can truly expect to see on ‘Family Jewels’, USA Today has featured an interview with both Gene and Shannon, who give a few details on their home life, before the premiere. When the topic of raising the couple’s two children, (Sophie, 14, and Nick, 17) is broached, Gene explains why his kids aren’t like other celebrity children. ”The odds were probably stacked against us being fabulous parents. But we are. That could be the biggest surprise of the show. The kids are both straight-A students. They're perfectly charming for a single reason: They aren't allowed not to be.”

Gene Simmons (Chaim Klein Witz) formed the band, Wicked Lester in the early 70’s along with Stanley Eisen (aka Paul Stanley). They later went on to form the band Kiss with Peter Criss (Peter Criscuola) and Ace Frehley (Paul Frehley) and performed shows adorned in face paint and elaborate costumes. From 1974 to this day Kiss is still a driving force in rock and roll and have influenced many of today’s rock bands. Some of the more memorable albums that Kiss released include: “Dressed to Kill”, “Destroyer”, “Love Gun”, “Lick it Up”, “Alive”, “Alive II”, and “Alive III”. Outside of the music industry Gene Simmons has also appeared in such films as, “Runaway”, “Wanted: Dead or Alive”, “Detroit Rock City”, and “The New Guy”.

[Additional Sources: Boston Globe, USA Today, Wikipedia]