Gene Simmons is not only a prominent figure in the rock world but also a significant producer behind the scenes, having discovered and launched Van Halen. We can also say he was one of the first to give a platform to famous names that almost joined KISS, trying them out on the rock stage for the first time.
Speaking on the ‘Your Mom’s House’ podcast with Christina P. and Tom Segura, Gene mentioned that during the middle of KISS’ career, Ritchie Sambora was tested for inclusion in the band. Additionally, he added that Slash and Lenny Kravitz also auditioned for KISS.
Richie Sambora’s Comment On KISS Audition
Richie Sambora, in an interview published in 2016, shared his experiences related to the matter. According to him, he never wanted to play with KISS. He had said:
“I didn’t really know what I was doing back then, and I didn’t really want the gig. They wanted someone to replace Ace, but I think they wanted someone who worshipped them. I liked their music – but I wasn’t into them in a big way.”
It seems that Richie made his choice to go with Bon Jovi out of his own free will.
Gene’s Little Secret About ‘Getting High’
Gene Simmons of KISS has long proclaimed his clean lifestyle, free from drugs and alcohol. In the recent conversation, the rock icon admitted to getting high once, however accidentally, after consuming marijuana-laced brownies.
The encounter took place in 1976 (or 1974, according to another account) at a post-concert party in Detroit. Simmons detailed how his love for sweets led him to eat not one but six weed brownies, recalling:
“The whole room is full, and I’m just seeing the brownies piled on it, and I love that stuff. Everyone’s [like] ‘Let’s smoke, let’s put things up our *ss.’ No, just give me cake. Then I started, like a dog with a bone, just following [the woman passing around the brownies]. ‘Can I have another one?’ ‘You want another one?’ And I just kept eating it — six. The room started to get bigger, and my head started to get smaller — all the way down to the size of an olive on my shoulder.”
The result was an unexpected and, by his account, unwelcome high that saw him grappling with distorted perceptions of his surroundings and himself.
Simmons’s son, Nick, was also present during the podcast, and he referred to the event as ‘one accidental story.’ According to Simmons, this singular experience with marijuana was neither sought after nor enjoyed.
Simmons Claims He Never Used Substances Before
This incident contrasts with Simmons’s previous claims about his sobriety. In a 2021 interview with The Sun, the KISS co-founder attributed his health and physical condition at 71 to avoiding drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. He stressed the importance of clean living for longevity, both on and off the stage, and the role of moderation in his diet.
Beyond his personal life, Simmons remains active in the music scene following KISS’s farewell tour, which concluded in December 2023. Last month, he announced an opportunity for fans to record with him.
Meanwhile, his first performance without KISS is scheduled for April 26 at the Summer Breeze Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he will be accompanied by Brent Woods, Zach Throne, and drummer Brian Tichy.
