Minneapolis 1989:

It was in support of their 15th studio album, Hot In The Shade. I speak only of my personal favorite band: KISS!

In a valiant attempt to get on the radio not only at Rock formats, but Top 40 as well, Paul Stanley had co-written the soon to be Top 10 single, Forever, with none other than Top 40 darling at the time, Michael Bolton!

The band members split into groups of two to travel cross country on a radio promotion tour. Paul Stanley was with Bruce Kulick and I got Gene Simmons and Eric Carr.

I picked them up at the Minneapolis airport around 10pm, and the first time I met Gene was interrupting him making out with a flight attendant to tell him I was picking him up at 5am to do an interview with the morning crew at KDWB.

Gene Simmons is the smartest artist I ever had the pleasure to work with. He was always on time, always willing to do whatever I needed him to do, and always extremely on top of his game. In fact, when I walked into the hotel to get him that morning, he was waiting for me in the lobby!

Having lunch after a busy morning, I was impressed to find Gene so concerned about the kinds of food he put in his body. At the local fav, The Lincoln Del, he made sure that the turkey he ate was not "processed crap" but straight off the bone! Thank G*D they had it!

The other funny thing I remember that made me realize this rock icon was "just a human" happened in his hotel room where I had a tape player and he was cutting I.D's for a bunch of radio stations. Me, Eric Carr and he were sort of sitting there and Gene laid down on the bed and got all wrapped up in a blanket. Eric goes, "Gene, what the f*%k are you doing?", and he replies much to my delight, "I'm making Comfy..."!!!

Is that the most UN-rock and roll thing you'd expect to hear from Gene Simmons or what!!!!!

I love that guy, he was a pleasure to work with and nothing less than a complete pro!

By: Michael Idlis