Hi, folks. I'm currently in the middile of updating my first book, a biography about the rock band KISS called BLACK DIAMOND. When I wrote the book back in the 1990s I had no access to the issue of Gore Creatures that Gene Klein (aka Gene Simmons) wrote into talking about how "big his new band is going to be and how it's going to combine music with science-fiction," etc.

I've never actually seen the letter itself and had to go by the hearsay of someone who had read it. It would be great to throw in a quote or two from the letter in the update and it occurs to me that perhaps someone here in the group may have access to the issue and can give me some more solid information.

If so, you can email me directly at justabob@iglou.com. Thanks!

--Dale

I just pulled out this issue to read the letter in question. There is a letter from Gene Klein, but it's basically just an argument about if people should have to pay for a fanzine or not. Gene doesn't think so. The only real reference to Gene's involvement in a band is when the editor of GC responds to Gene's remarks indicating he knows Gene is in a rock band called WICKED LESTER and if he thinks GC should be free, then Gene should give away copies of his album to his fans when it comes out as well. That's about it. There's nothing even close to Gene saying how "big his new band is going to be and how it's going to combine music with science-fiction." Gene doesn't even mention his band at all. Maybe in an earlier issue?

Hmm. Looks like my source may have been off. The only other issue of GC that I'm finding to have anything from him was issue #14, and evidently that was an article he wrote (not to mention that it would have been too early for him to be talking about being in such a band, what with #14 out in 1968).

The only other issue that could be possible would be issue #21 from '72 (when Wicked Lester was still trying to get a record released through Epic and fiddling with ideas for costumes and such). Possibly issue #23 from '74, but that would seem to be too late.

Still, if anyone wants to check the other two issues, I greatly appreciate it. I've heard from someone that is getting me the letter itself from #22 and I'd still like to see it. From the looks of it so far, it doesn't sound like Gene has changed much over the years.

Thanks!

Just checked #21 and #23 and nothing from Gene in those. Oh well.

I remember hearing Gene Simmons grew up reading FAMOUS MONSTERS, but I had no idea he was into the fanzines as well. Thanks for the info.

No, Dale, your source is on target there. Klein/Simmons did write to Gore Creatures/Midnight Marquee a number of times, including a letter where he says his band is going to be big. In fact, Klein wrote the first letter ever published by Gore Creatures, in their very first letters column in issue #9, June 1966. In that letter, Klein tells publisher Gary Svehla that, because there is not much gore in the mag, it should not be called Gore Creatures, and that Svehla should change the title! Klein wrote several times complaining that, since the mag was a hobby for Svehla, he should not be charging money for it. In the issue you mention, #22, Klein says he should get a free copy of the mag for having his letters published. Svehla wrote that he sent Gene free copies, not because he agreed the mag should be free, but because he enjoyed arguing with the feisty "opinionated Klein." All this info is in Midnight Marquee #37, 25th Anniversary Issue. (There's a copy on eBay now for $16.) In that, there's a detailed article by Svehla in which he talks at length about every issue of his magazine, and Gene Klein is mentioned throughout the mag's history, with quotes from various letters. The feeling you get is that Klein was a fan (if he didn't like the mag, he wouldn't have bothered wasting his time on it), and that Svehla enjoyed the friendly sparring back and forth; it kept things lively, as they spurred each other on. (IIRC, Klein may have had Svehla come down to a Kiss concert, giving him backstage access.) Another article in #37 lists tons of obscure monster fanzines from the 60s and 70s, and notes that Simmons published his own, "Cosmos Stilleto" in 1968. Klein/Simmons may have the distinction of being the wealthiest, most successful monster kid ever. Also, Dale, I'd suggest going to www.midmar.com and contacting Svehla. Maybe he can supply you with firsthand info and thoughts.

All this other stuff people are quoting sounds much more interesting to me and better material for the book than the letter Dale originally referred to. :lol:

And, Dale, I hope you include a section on Gene's appearances on the Howard Stern radio show, particularly when he was confronted by himself, as impersonated by Craig Gass. Those were hilarious.

I know what you mean, Brian! Some good stuff coming out of the woodworks here.

As for radio, I'll certainly be mentioning Gene's appearance on NPR a few years ago, where he really made himself look foolish. People still talk about that one when I mention anything about Gene!

In case you weren't aware, Gene is one of the guests being lightly grilled by psychologist Dr Pamela Connolly in the forthcoming second batch of TV show SHRINK RAP. The show will air in the UK in the next month or two. (The first programme, of five, airs on April the 21st - Joan Rivers is the interviewee).

FYI - The Gene Simmons show is on Monday the 28th, at 10pm (on UK freeview channel more4).