Gene Simmons loves Canada Source: Yahoo News
When Gene Simmons and KISS invade Ottawa to play in the Bluesfest July 15, he'll be bringing along actress and former Playmate Shannon Tweed.
Simmons and Tweed have lived in "unwedded bliss" since 1985 and raised two children.
Tweed has a strong connection with the Ottawa area. She lived here in the early 1970s and was even crowned Miss Ottawa Valley in 1977.
Simmons says the city plans to declare July 15 Shannon Tweed Day, although no one at City Hall yesterday would confirm that there would be a Shannon Tweed Day.
"She's gonna fly in with me," said Simmons. "I think we're gonna tour Parliament. My guess is somebody's gonna throw a pie in my face."
That seems unlikely, given the undying love Canadians seem to have for the makeup-sporting glam-rockers, who are releasing their first new studio album in a decade later this year and play a handful of shows in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia this month.
Earlier this year, KISS announced it would determine its upcoming tour stops based on fan voting. After the polls closed June 30, it was revealed the Top 3 cities on the list were all Canadian: Oshawa (14,569), Winnipeg (12,913) and Sault Ste. Marie (11,315).
"Clearly, these cities are out of their minds," Simmons said. All three are "guaranteed" slots on the band's itinerary though not necessarily in that order.
Our home and native land's love for KISS goes both ways, he added.
"More and more, I (think), 'Gee, I wish I was Canadian,' " he said. "There's just a purity of heart up there. I don't know how else to put it."
Given his wife's heritage and the many ties he has to this country he'll be the grand marshal at Honda Indy Toronto race on July 12, and his Simmons Record label (a partnership with businesswoman and former MP Belinda Stronach) is based in this country he might as well apply for citizenship.
"It's not a bad thought. I actually bought Shannon a house up there. I can't tell you where, but she goes up a lot."
