GeneSimmons.com
I could not get up the nerve to go over to Gene when I first saw him, as we went through the security checkpoint, or even at the gate as we waited.
How did I first see him? I had just walked away from the ticket counter from checking in our bags; Doug was returning the rental car. A lady said, “M'am, can I ask you a question? Is that man over there at the counter, Gene Simmons? I figured you would know or not.” (I happened to be wearing a KISS sweatshirt, carrying my KISS jean jacket, and wearing my KISS Rock N’ Roll Over Vans). I looked over and said, “YES, it is, that is Gene Simmons!” I began shaking pretty hard, trying to get out my phone to call Doug, my camera to take a picture, and trying to stay calm and standing up at the same time...
I called Doug, told him to get to me as soon as possible, and hung up. Gene walked over to some soldiers, and THANKED them for their Services to OUR country, for their courage, and for ALL that they do for us as Americans! It was touching that he went to each of them individually, and personally thanked them. Not only was I proud of these Military personnel, I thought, “That’s my Gene!” Once again, demonstrating his humbleness and gratitude toward others, and for being an AMERICAN!!!!
I took a few photos as I was juggling my KISS Concert Binder, a bag or two, and walking. I remember shaking as I took these photos:
Doug caught up with me, and we went upstairs thru security, which seemed to be pain staking for me!!!
Once we got upstairs, Gene went to purchase something from the store. I continued to tremble, and tried not to stand out or bring unnecessary attention to myself. Doug took the opportunity and briefly spoke with Gene’s assistant across the room, and I SHOOK hard.
I went to the restroom to try to gain composure, as I realized that Gene would be on our plane, going to Austin with us for Friday night’s show!
I came out, and Gene was sitting down. I walked over to where Doug was against the airport window, and tried not to look at Gene. I wanted to give him his space, and not be that intrusive fan…..
A pilot came up to Doug & I, and started asking if that was Gene Simmons. Doug told him, “Yes”. The pilot stated, “A lot of people have been going up to him to get autographs and pictures; how come you have not gone over there?” And I said, “I can’t, but I want to.”
I was shaking so hard. There were people coming up to him. I waited, got up the courage, and walked over to him. But right before I got to him, I slowed. He reached his hand out and said, "Come here". He was sitting, he pulled me to him and held my head. I said “I have been shaking. It was hard for me to come over here, though I wanted to.” He said, “I know, I have been watching you.” Then he asked to see my notebook that I was holding in my hand. He looked thru it, and asked questions. I explained to him that this is my KISS Binder that holds all of my vital KISS information, tickets, VIP, Meet & Greet Packages, flight, hotel info, etc. The airlines announced pre-board, and Gene stood up. Doug asked if he could take a picture of us.
(Yes, Gene is playing around and sticking his finger in my ear…” Got to LOVE him!!)
Right before Gene went to pre-board, I asked, barely getting it out, “Gene, can I sit near you on the plane?” He said, “Sure. Come on”. He walked toward the pre-board entrance. Doug and I stayed, as we had to get in the Southwest Airlines boarding line. We were far back, B36. I was dying inside. I was praying. I did not know how it would be possible to get to sit near or even close to Gene, as who did not want to sit next to him???
We walked onto the plane, and Gene was sitting in the first row to the right, next to the window. His assistant Spiro was sitting in the aisle seat. Gene looked up at me and said, “Sit here”. He reached his hand out, and took my hand guiding me into the aisle. I did a little spin to sit down, and sang, “Woohoo!”. Doug sat across the aisle, in the front row. I swear that Gene had saved the seats for us. Gene held his arm out, and I put my arm through his, locking arms. We stayed that way for most of the flight, and talked the ENTIRE way.
After 25 minutes of sitting together, Gene said, “If you want, you can go ahead and sit by your man. Or I am okay, if you stay right here.” I replied, “I AM sitting with my man.”, and squeezed his arm. Gene looked over at Doug, and they both smiled. I asked Gene how he has been staying healthy and well with all of the traveling, and all of the sickness going around. He told us that he did not take the KISS Jet as it left late last night, and the rest of the band members did not get to bed until after 5 a.m. this morning. He stated that it is important to get rest, that going to bed that late (or early), and then staying in bed till 2 p.m. is not good for you. Gene said that he stayed back, went to bed at a decent time, and chose to fly over this way on a direct flight to meet up with the rest of the band. Gene and I briefly looked through my KISS notebook. Then he took it, asked his assistant for a “Sharpie”, and signed my KISS notebook.
Gene made the comment that "This is out of control.”, when referring to the tickets, etc.. He stated, “That is something we both have in common. WE ARE OUT OF CONTROL.” Then he reached over to the front pocket on the plane, and took out his boarding pass and gave it to me. I was thrilled about this… His assistant told me, “You get an extra bonus with that.” I replied, “Oh, I would never use the drink coupon in a million years”. But then Gene reached over and slowly pulled back the folded end of the pass, revealing that he had stuck his gum on it!
Gene asked the air steward for a blanket, and was told that they “no longer have blankets on the plane.” I heard this, and I asked Doug to get our bag from the overhead. Gene’s assistant said, “Let me guess; You have a KISS blanket with you? A Destroyer one.” Doug pulled the blanket out of the bag, and Gene's assistant said, "NO way, it is one!" GENE wore the blanket, while holding my arm underneath it.
We discussed SOO MUCH more… I showed him the photos Doug took from the show last night in El Paso. Gene asked how I became a fan, and how long I have been a fan…. How I became a fan. I said, “My sister used to wake me up in the a.m. before school, with KISS music cranking. At first I could not stand it, as I wanted to sleep. But soon after, I became, and have remained a fan… 28 years later… I showed him the picture of my sister Jody & I, right before KISS started playing….
I spoke about going to Michigan September 18th, for my parent’s birthdays. Of how I had my hands on 1st row tickets for the COBO Arena Detroit show, would have LOVED to go, but could not stay in Detroit or Michigan that long. Gene asked how old my parents are and I told him, and showed him pictures from when they were in Austin for my 40th birthday. I told him of how my friend Monica gave me the blanket, and showed him pictures that we had just taken with me holding the bag it was in. Doug took photos of Gene and I with the blanket. Gene’s assistant requested that Doug send him copies of the photos. Gene & I discussed Ace & Peter’s history of drug use extensively. He said that he “does not understand when people know that drugs, alcohol, and tobacco have no nutritional value, and do not help us what so ever; how they can still choose to use them?” Plus, how individuals “use past abuses, experiences, etc as reasons for using them.” Then he asked me, “What do you think? How do I look for Sixty?” I replied “Great”. I went on to tell him how he & Paul look way better than 20 year olds, and we went into my opinion of KISS and it’s influence on music, concerts, styles, shows today. How KISS was doing things back in the 70’s that no one else was doing then. They were the first to do it. Other bands are now doing what they did then today, or at least trying to. If it was not for KISS, music would not be the way it is today.
We discussed his “addiction... cake”. Doug is doing Gene & me a BIG favor. Thanks to Mary & Bud, Doug’s parents, per Doug’s request, are going to federal express a specific pastry to us to take to Gene. After some research we found a few pastries locally that Doug picked up, and we are going to take to the show. Who knows? I hear that the Frank Erwin center (Austin) “will not let ticket holders bring in outside food.”
We discussed my profession, what I do, etc.. How these KISS concerts, and going to see four of them back to back is my reward to myself. How I got time off from work, and about giving notice if my leave would not have been approved! I am going to take my leave approved sheet to have him sign tomorrow night!!! Hopefully, he will sign it!
You know what? WE DISCUSSED A LOT!!! We discussed my having met him before in Los Colinas, August 23rd, 2000 (I accidently said “2001”, and his assistant corrected the year for me). He asked, "When, how, what did we discuss?" And I told him, “selective perception”, “being unapproachable”, “fans reaching under the stall to get your autograph”, and went into other details. This is when I said, ”See, that explains once again my hesitancy for not running up and approaching you. Believe me, I want to run up and go 'GENE! GENE!!!' and attack you. But I did not want to offend you, or be that belligerent fan.”
Gene asked, “How do you like the show?”. I said, “Family Jewels?”, and he said, "Yeah." I said, “I like the show. How about you? Do you like the show?” And Gene replied, “I like the show. I LOVE everything that I do.”
We discussed lacrosse while talking about our sons, and Gene said, “Keep them busy doing good things, so that they stay out of the trouble.” I told him how one of my sons plays the violin very well, one plays plays the sax, and the other is learning how to play the violin. Then we further discussed where Doug and I grew up, how we met (29 Palms, Marine Corps) and how we moved to central Texas. Cost of land etc.
Time to get off the plane. How could this ride ever end???
As we were de-planing, the steward told us all, “Have a good day.” And I responded, "I do not know how my day could possibly get any better!”
Gene walked and stayed with us at the baggage claim, which took an unbelievable (thankfully) LONG amount of time for the bags to come. (Imagine that I would ever think that?) While waiting, Doug gave Gene’s assistant a break, and took pictures for several people who came up to Gene. As always, he was gracious, never complained, and was very welcoming to each person who came to him and asked for an autograph and to have their picture taken with him. Then, I woke up a bit and realized, “Hey, Doug might want his picture taken with Gene too?...”
Having thought the last 20 years of my life, of how much I would LOVE to work with KISS in any capacity, in management, etc.. I got up the courage and asked his assistant of how one goes about becoming an assistant, management, or any position for that matter; He was not too much help. (I do not blame him. That is his great secret!!). Then I asked Gene, “Where do you look for or post your help wanted?” So he told us how Spiro became his assistant (Very cool story!). I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH KISS MANAGEMENT, or anything actively involved with the band! Gene hugged me again. Mainly my head. I said, "I will see you at the Show tomorrow night. Doug and I will be back stage for the Austin, Houston, and Dallas shows." THANK YOU GENE. I LOVE YOU! BEYOND MY MOST EXTREME DREAMS. AM I AWAKE???? ALIVE????
Very excited, I held it together. Gene and I were discussing my admiration for he and Paul; my hesitation to approach him. I told him that I am not just a fan. How I did not want to crowd him, get in his face, or ask for his autograph or a picture. I talked about how I respect them beyond some “characters/icons”, and thanked him for holding the seat for me. I started to tell him about how MUCH it means to me, and began to cry. Gene squished me, then pinched my nose and said, “No more. This is my way of changing the subject; No more tears.”
After Doug got our luggage, we were walking out of the airport, and Gene was at the top of the escalator. I could no longer hold it in, and yelled, "WooOoOoOHoOooOoooO!!!!!!"
As you can read, Gene and Spiro were very generous with Doug & especially myself, with their time and sharing!! I cannot THANK either of THEM ENOUGH!!!
Now time to stop typing, and go get ready for the show. The only show. “YOU Wanted the Best; YOU Got The BEST, The HOTTEST BAND IN the WORLD… KISSSSSSSSS!!!!!" And Carmela Goes WILD!!!!!!
Carmela Stearns
PROUD KISS FAN!!
