Gene Simmons (76), co-founder and bassist of KISS, spoke about his mother's experience surviving the Holocaust, the work he began at age 12, and how the band came together.
Gene Simmons · KISS · The Origin Story
From a Nazi Camp Survivor's Son to 100 Million Records
The KISS co-founder, 76, traces his life back to his mother Flora — a Hungarian Jew who survived the Holocaust. "Every day above ground is a good day," she told him. He calls his own birth her "miracle."
100M+
Albums sold worldwide by KISS
$30
A week, hauling meat up stairs — his first job at age 12
1973
KISS formed in New York
A Survivor's Timeline — Flora Klein (1925–2018)
Nov 1944
Imprisoned at Ravensbrück
Later passed through Mauthausen concentration camp.
May 5 1945
Liberated by U.S. forces
One of the few survivors, alongside her brother Larry Klein; most of the family was lost.
1949
Chaim Witz born in Haifa, Israel
The future Gene Simmons — son of Hungarian Jewish immigrants.
2018
Flora dies at age 93
She rarely spoke of the camps — received as "an expression of strength."
In His Words
"Every day above ground is a good day."
His mother was "everything" to him. He stays completely sober from alcohol and drugs, he says, "so as not to cause my mother any more suffering."
The KISS Legacy
Formed with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, KISS won global fame for flashy makeup and explosive live shows — and is said to hold more gold-disc certifications than any other American band.
Continue reading The rest of this article is for AI News Blitz readers. Choose an option below to keep reading.
Already purchased? Sign in ✓ Signed in — this article isn’t included in your current plan.Unlocking the full article…
