Excerpt from Playgirl, August 1996. They were the rock band that spawned a new generation of glam-rock in the ’70s with outrageous makeup, platform shoes and space-age costumes. Gene Simmons was the quintessential testosterone-driven rocker idol, while Paul Stanley was the more reserved, still-waters-run-deep kind of stud. Nonetheless, both had their share of women who gladly offered up their willing bodies to the altars of the duo’s hot-rocker love.
Twenty years and 27 albums later, original band members Simmons and Stanley are still superstars in the art of seduction! They’re also nice guys who’ve settled down, had kids—and even drop off Fed Ex packages and return phone calls personally.
Unfortunately, groupies don’t get as lucky as they used to, but many fans are glad the music lives on.
After a successful tour with their KISS Convention, Simmons, Stanley and the rest of the original band members recently celebrated the release of KISS Unplugged (Mercury). For the recording of this MTV concert, they shed their trademark makeup and turned in the Spandex for street-wear. And in our intimate phone conversations with these special boys, they stripped down even more!
GENE SIMMONS
You have a reputation for liking women…multitudes of them.
I’m very open to them.
How do you respond to a sexually aggressive woman?
If she’s got an opening, I’ve got a stiff proposition.
Any woman?
I love boobs, butts and all that stuff, but I don’t have a type. Tall, short, old, young— I’m not surface-oriented. By and large, I like ’em bigger than smaller. I don’t want an emaciated girl.
Are you the romantic type?
Absolutely. I worship women. I love their smell. I love to wine and dine them; I love to say, “Your eyes are beautiful.” But that’s just like throwing out sound bites. Really good lovers of women don’t talk about it.
Are you easy to seduce?
Oh, I’m a slut.
A total slut?
Oh yes. Women go to such great lengths to work out, lose weight and change their hair color, to paint on lipstick, lift and separate, wear heels—whatever they think they need to do to get a man’s attention…. The least I can do is comply if they show some interest. They go to such lengths, the least I can do is go to some lengths myself.
And what lengths do you go to?
About medium…but it spins, (laughs)
You’re very funny.
That’s my job! I’m in a bizarre situation. Because of what I do, people assume, and rightly so, I’ve had a lot more access to “acrobatics.”
You mean musicians find it easier to get a little nookie?
A lot. The idea that because you’re a musician you get more chances is absolutely true. It’s not a figment of anybody’s imagination.
Did rock-star status make you more “acrobatically inclined?”
Oh no, I was a whore when I was a kid. I think most boys, especially at a certain time in their lives, can’t make the damn thing go down. Women are right: We have two brains and one is in a head that says: No, I’m not going down, I’m staying up. The flag is always waving at full mast.
Have you ever had an experience with a dominatrix?
Oh, sure…but I found it a bit surface because afterward she put her head on my shoulder.
So how about you and marriage?
I’ve never been married and don’t intend to get married. I think it’s a beautifully romantic institution, but I think you’ve got to be nuts to be in any kind of institution. It takes all the wind out of my sails. I believe if you give your word you have to live by it. It’s more important than a contract. That’s why I won’t take an oath in front of some religious person saying I promise I will never want another woman as long as I live.
God forbid.
I believe a relationship is more than just sex. If a man feels emotionally attached to a woman, he’ll be there—and, she can have his dick too. A woman wants a man because he’s such a wild animal, a tiger, but then she wants to tame him. He loses his fangs! There’s nothing sadder than a tiger stuck in a zoo.
Well, men try to do that with women too… Speaking of women, how many have you had?
It’s not fair to say I’ve only done it with them. Some have done it with me! I can only give you an approximation… between three and four.
Gene Simmons • Photo: Roberto Finzio.
Thousand? That’s a lot. It can’t all be poking.
Yes, it’s mostly poking. The idea of snacks does not appeal.
Well, you have that amazing tongue. I hope you’ve utilized it well!
It’s the stupidest thing to be known for. But at some point I did come to understand it is a religious instrument, an extension of God. Because when I use it, the woman does say. Oh…my…God!
So you’re not shy about going down on a woman?
Oh no. I’d thank you for it.
Well, that’s good to know.
And I’m trainable.
We like trainable men.
I also sit up and beg. I do all the fun stuff.
So you’re not just a “wham bam thank-you-ma’am” kind of guy?
There’s no rule. If you’re on a plane, doing the mile-high thing, then it’s wham-bam. If in a semi-public place, quickies are nice. But if you’re interested in someone at all, whether it’s lustful or otherwise, then you take your time.
Perhaps you’ll indulge me in a fantasy…. Are you up for it?
Sure, I’m the male.
Say I want to go on a date and have a rocker fantasy night. Where would you take me?
You see, women always think of dates. Men immediately think way beyond that. I want to do what you want to do. What do you want to do? I think the only game in town is pleasing the woman. To stay in the game, you’ve got to please the umpire, and the umpire she is!
But I thought you were into being the big, strong guy-person.
I never take the lead, but she believes I’m taking the lead. It’s all a cat-and-mouse game, always has been. If the mouse stands completely still, the cat’s not going to attack.
So the cat thinks it’s in charge, but it’s really the mouse.
Brilliant strategy.
It works like a charm.
It must, because I’m starting to get nervous.
I’ll have your legs spread before you can spell my last name.
I’m getting the tinglies.
Is your patootie standing?
(Big laugh) Listen to me, saying, “Is your patootie standing.” You know what’s funny, and please put this in, I thought we were going to talk about the KISS Conventions.
So, you still enjoy being a rock star?
There’s very little heavy lifting and women want to have your children. And I’ve deflowered more women with my voice before they ever met me. It’s not a bad job to have.
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PAUL STANLEY
So what are you wearing?
A tank top and jeans. But if I’m going to look like those guys in your magazine, I should take off my clothes and lean against the wall or something.
Well, start stripping. I want to hear those layers peeling off.
What are you wearing?
Black skirt, black stockings, heels, bustier and a blue silk shirt.
I’ll take my shirt off…. Well, if you get naked, I’ll get naked…
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