gene simmons basses through the yearshow old was nellie oleson when she married percival
There was a reason that so many people tried to live the life of groupies. Later in the year, in Columbus 76.11.30, the cover is very obviously split into two colors, a very sharp delineation that wasn't there in March and May, which suggests that it's been at least partially replaced. At first, people thought that Gene was trying to trademark the image itself. In an interview with his son for Esquire in 2014, Gene confessed he believes that rock music has finally come to an end, and even went as far as to say the music industry could be on its last legs. The women and shady affairs that destroyed Gene Simmons' life. It is only shown in a series of backstage pics from February or March 1976, a single backstage pic from Stockholm, Sweden on 76.05.28, and a later backstage instrument lineup from Daytom, OH 76.08.08. Together, the happy couple share two kids; Nichols Adam Tweed-Simmons and Sophie Alexandra Tweed-Simmons. Considering the photographic evidence the natural finish Grabber doesn't seem to have gotten much action. In fact, in 1974 it was only offered in ebony and wine red (a high-gloss, see-through finish that looks nothing like this bass). My theory is that all of these (with the exception of the already heavily modified EB-0) were endorsement instruments that were either pure backups or ones that Gene tried to make into his kind of bass. Gene? It can be tough for any celebritys child to make a name for themselves when their parents are Hollywood royalty. It turns out Gene Simmons is no exception, but not many people know the rockstar was once actually a teacher. Gene Simmons has played all sorts of instruments over the years, from the Charlie LoBue custom bass guitar heard on the early Kiss albums to his own Punisher and Axe signatures, although for a while in the mid-70s Simmons did experiment with Gibson Grabbers and Rippers. All of his business-savvy moves and investing in several companies, such as a financial company, a restaurant chain, and a sports team, means hes earned quite the fortune over the years. It has a 30" scale which matches that of the LoBue. According to Gene, hes through with listening to music thats just talking and wants to go back to a time when music focuses on lyrics and melody. We guess Kiss were never known for their rap tunes. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Perhaps most importantly of all, it's a bass that's tailor-made for conjuring this larger-than-life character's earth-conquering tones. In 2108, Sophie told Harpers Bazaar that she knew she wanted to become a musician since she was four years old. A Tribute to the Pedulla 1988 MVP4 - The Gene Simmons Vampire Punisher. Okay, its not always simple to figure out how much someone is worth, especially when their name is tied to a well-known company or, in this case, a band. Gene Simmons is a legendary rock icon and the bassist from KISS, and his new Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird Bass reflects his tastes. One of the many things that fans often cant wait to see is Gene Simmons performing his famous blood-spitting routine. According to Gene he met Stuart Spector, then just an upstart luthier working out of a small Brooklyn shop, during the Destroyer sessions. In 1987 Gene turns up with what looks like a slightly altered version of the Jackson. This mkV version stays unmolested for the remainder of 1979, the last photographic evidence being from 79.12.06. The bass icon on bass rigs, riches and 50 years of music. The three-night stand in Detroit from 77.01.27, represented here by the pro-shot video from the third night, is the first sighting of the last incarnation of the LoBue (mk VIII). Again it's the bridge that gets a change with a very odd combination. You've written some truly timeless basslines over the years so what exactly is the Gene Simmons guide to finding the perfect part? In fact, his passion for comic books even helped to inspire The Demon that we see at Kiss shows as Biography reports Gene shaped his character on Marvels Black Bolt. Pictures showing the back of the LoBue are very few but over the course of 1976 there were a few. Let's hope it turns up in somebody's basement. Gene tapped Valdez Guitars to build the first one, then Steve Carr built a few, as did Kramer, Jackson, and Cort. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Kiss legend Gene Simmons fondly recalls the days when a fledgling Rush would regularly play support to the panstick-sporting rockers. Simmons was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of . The jury is out on that one. Gene had another story in 1996: "A couple of years later I lent it to Micki Free, whose band Smokehouse opened for us once, and never saw it again." Rock fans everywhere might disagree as Gene Simmons believes its time to give up on the genre. Gene Simmons is one of those who has proven he has what it takes to keep calm and carry on as he tripped over a raised part of the stage during a performance in Montana back in 2016. During the time they were selling in Spencer's, various companies manufactured the . Love him or hate him, Gene Simmons has probably become one of the most high-profile ambassadors of electric bass since Kiss released its self-titled debut album in 1974. The Gibson Thunderbird was a backup used on occasion when the trusty Spector #1 had to take a rest. People accused Nick of plagiarizing ideas from the likes of Hellsing, One Piece, and Bleach, something that was enough to see the youngsters dreams of becoming a graphic novel author vanish before he got his time to shine. An erstwhile acquaintance of LoBue's who handled the bass in its mkVI incarnation in New Jersey 76.07.10 has suggested that almost all the modifications were done by Charlie or the Guitar Lab rather than Gene's tech. The original incarnation of the LoBue (mk I) had an unfinished wood body, a set neck, a violin-style bridge, a single-coil pickup, a black pickguard, and, despite Gene's quote above, three knobs. The bass(es) were high-gloss black with white trim and a very distinct "point" on the back where the body finish met the unfinished neck (see further down). Its said that he would judge peoples intelligence depending on the noise it made. If the LoBue could be considered to have a long and complicated story then the tale of the Spectors is worthy of Sherlock Holmes. Right after the guitar was purchased, it was immediately packed in its hard case along with all of the items the guitar came with, which included: The Certificate of Authenticity, the original Gene Simmons hard . When KISS did their first "European" tour in 4 years they stopped by a TV studio in Hilversum, Holland on May 29 to record singback versions of Unholy and God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You II for the show Countdown. We cant say that weve ever thought about a world where Gene Simmons is the one giving us fashion advice, but the more we think about it, the more we want to know what thats like. Gene has nothing but nice things to say about the stories that have been brought to life and the art thats used throughout each graphic novel. Then came the aftermath. There are masterclasses taught by Simmons himself that are only available to Axe buyers. Although I've found nothing to support this the general assumption among those who know far more about early Spectors than I seem to be that the pickup in the mk I was a Model 1. More importantly, however, this feels like a real Thunderbird and being handmade in the USA, it very much is one, with an incredibly resonant mahogany body that rings loud acoustically beforeyouve even plugged it in. Sadly, we get the feeling that Gene would have rocked a lot less face paint during his time in the classroom. - Bass Certificate of authenticity signed by Gene Simmons. Gene was walking backward when he took the fall, and it wasnt long before someone rushed in to help the star back to his feet. Search child forums as well Among the promo pics taken at Stewart Air Force Base 77.11.09 is the photo on the left below which seem to show a hole where the above coverup was placed. New rock and roll stars lurked around every corner, and it seemed that plenty of people couldnt wait to head to the latest party on the block. . Which is why, in addition to some of the cosmetic alterations the Axe has gone through over the years, we often see them with different pickups and hardware as well, as Simmons explained, A pickup is subject to the wood and the body shape. Spector #1 LoBue custom Thunderbird Dan Armstrong. Larry Harris had set up an endorsement deal which apparently specified that the band use Gibsons exclusively on stage in exchange for free instruments (see. Well, in simple terms its a neck-through construction instrument with a hard maple neck and mahogany axe blade body. Thanks to abusername for pointing that out. This mk I version shows the "standard" SB-1 controls with one volume and one tone knob (both in silver) and a front output jack (missing is the mini-switch which was standard on the SB-1). Sadly, Gene Simmons wasnt impressed with the look. Unfortunately it is exceedingly difficult to try and identify which Spector is which in most photos, even if they are well-lit. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 1's, Paul only changing from his own LoBue custom V when it was stolen. As if things couldnt get any worse, Gene proceeded to tear his shirt and shouted, Hey chicks, sue me!. It wasnt long before people were outraged by the comments, and Gene was forced to apologize. Everybody knows that Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has a long tongue. Simmons estimates hes sold about 10,000 instruments over the past 10 years. Hot on the heels of the announcement of Gibson's acquisition of Mesa/Boogie, the company has unveiled another new partnership, this time with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons. All that twerking and tongue flashing was enough to change peoples minds about the star. Search child forums as well The first G model is a Thunderbird Bass. On the other hand it was listed in the Butterfields auction without the name of the luthier and it was suggested that it dated from the 1983 Creatures tour (which there is no evidence for, the Axe used on that tour was a Kramer). Gene Simmons isn't telling California to kiss off yet. Instead, he decided to keep himself as healthy as possible as Gene told CNN that hes never even tried an adult beverage or taken any illegal substances. Below are a couple of pics from rehearsals and the early part of the tour. One of the Viewmaster pics show the thickness of the body to be almost double that of a regular bass. See the evolution of Gene's Bass technique!! Thankfully, everyone walked away from the incident without any injuries. Ron Wood is very under-appreciated. LoBue custom Fender P-bass. The bass guitar's mahogany body produces crisp tone with plenty of heavy bass for that signature Detroit Rock City sound. Perhaps the black blade wasn't quite "axe-like" enough because it was summarily refinished a matte silver by 79.06.20 when the promo videos were shot in Savannah. The body of the instrument is shaped like the . As a subscriber enjoy big savings off the shop price! He is the God Of Thunder, after all. Gi. The bassist will bring back the Gene Simmons' Axe MasterClass for fans . Last years news that he was launching his own G2 brand pronounced G squared through the American giants nevertheless came as a surprise, the new collaboration pledging to release a whole range of guitars and basses built with the Demons personal seal of approval. 1 810 cab. It can be easy to think that Gene Simmons views comic books as nothing more than a way to make some extra money on the side. Though the marriage only lasted for a few years, Gene Simmons her only son was born in . There was suppose to be 1,000 . Or why not treat yourself? Contact our experts for a recommendation of great alternatives. Strings - Lutes - Guitars. Its one thing to date two of the biggest names in music, and its something entirely different to break up their friendship as a result. The technical info on the EB-0 is taken from the January 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar (also avilable online). As well as the pearloid reverse split diamond inlays, its also nice to see the Gibson logo on the front of the headstock, with the G2 logo on the back side near the nut a reassuring consideration given this instruments price. Celebrating 50 years in rock (1966-2016) Gene Simmons, multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, co-founder and front man of KISS, America's number one gold record award-winning group of all time in all categories (RIAA), and one of the most recognized performers in the world, recently announced the . But out of costume, the Kiss co-frontman is an equally commanding presence. Stuart shaved down the normally bulbous horns of the SB-1 into points." The new collection will launch with the release of the G Thunderbird bass later this year. Why you can trust Guitar World The Jackson Axe is mercifully kept in this near-original condition for at least the two following tours; there are no noticeable alterations. I think that when it comes to Bass ( Which I play Bass and Guitar among other instruments! ) So much so that Gibson put out a demo vinyl record showcasing the various tones the system was capable of. The G2 Thunderbird Bass is voiced with a pair of powerful T-Bird pickups, each with individual Volume controls and paired with a . A long-tongued, fire-breathing, towering bass player who performs in a demon warpaint, massive platform boots, and stylized armor, Simmons is a sight to behold. Realtor.com. From 2006 until 2012, Gene Simmons and his family starred in the reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. John Lennon's Gibson J-160E went for $2.4 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015. The picture on the far left here clearly shows that the body was beveled where Gene rested his right arm. As far as video evidence goes it first appears in the opening credits of KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (see below). "I saw a bass he had built hanging on the wall and decided right then that I wanted it. . Studio legend Carol Kaye gave KISS bassist Gene Simmons an impromptu bass lesson at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood, and luckily cameras were rolling to catch it. on August 28, 2019. These are smaller, all black with a small white dot that shows the naught setting (mk III). Roland 555 space/echo (for solo) controlled by manipulating the intensity and . Shannon Tweed rose to fame as a Playboy model and actress before she met and wooed Gene at the Playboy Mansion. Gene has gone through quite a few different basses over the years. According to the Spector web site "Gene Simmons of mega-group KISS commissioned several Brooklyn Era SB-1 basses from Stuart in the late 1970's. The headstock featured Gene's autograph and the pointy shape of the head was mirrored by a bizarre pointed part below the bridge. I have yet to figure out what this bridge was. I originally thought that the natural satin finish, introduced in 1975 and seen in this well-known footage from San Fransisco 75.01.31, was Gene's first which was later re-finished but he actually had two Grabbers on the road with him and he used both during the Winterland show. The clear knobs make the transition into the new year appearing in Chicago on 78.01.15. This Gene Simmons Punisher Bass is a rare, limited edition bass that swept through the Spencer's stores in malls throughout the US. Though he is known for his woodsman-inspired Axe guitar, he told me it . The reddish metal flake Grabber appears at the Midnight Special taping on 75.04.01 where we get a fairly close look at the almost matte finish (and a taste of the obvious sonic qualities it possessed). It was probably added to help the intonation problems inherent in any set bridge like the original, but this one proved problematic as the few surviving pictures show that the strings had a tendency to skip out of position. In order to cover the screw holes from the original (and replacement) stringmount below the then-current bridge cover, Gene's tech simply added a piece of what appear to be electrical tape. No matter the angle or lighting, up until now the white binding has been clearly visible at all times. Wherever the LoBue eventually ended up it is one of the great lost treasures of KISStory, one that deserves enshrinment. Apparently, he wasnt impressed with someone so prominent sharing such questionable opinions. One can see the sparkling of the finish during his blood-spitting routine. Together the two pickups complement each other very well indeed, with serious weight and bite that can be easily tamed through the respective volume controls. Thats not the only time that Gene has opened up about his relationships away from the cameras, as the rockstar later confessed that hed actually been with up to 5,000 different women. The body appears to be a slab style with a hint of a bevel on the "inside" of the horns (and possibly where Gene rests his arm; see below). On first glance, this debut in the seriesnot in the form of a Grabber or Ripper, but a Thunderbird, interestingly is certainly impressive. The very obvious absence of an Axe during 1990-95, with the possible exception below, might suggest that Gene was in fact trying out various prototypes in preparation of going into the Axe business for himself. Nick also has some acting credits to his name. [*] Its first appearance is the photo shoot that was set up the day of the Return of KISS dressrehearsal, 79.06.14. Before we move forward we need to take a step back (and get a little ahead of ourselves) and adress a slight "wrinkle" in the photos. 1970 replacement Gibson pickup has been added and moved closer to the bridge; and a new, custom shape pickguard has been added. In the pic from 76.03.12 it's hard to tell whether the back of the body is just worn or if there is a protective cover, but by the time the band hits European soil for the first time, as shown here from Mannheim 76.05.18, there is a distinct reddish overlay screwed onto the back. From lunch boxes to credit cards and everything in between, it seems theres no shortage of Kiss-themed things on the market as even caskets are on the menu, meaning the brand is estimated to be worth $1 billion. (Plenty of 1980 shots are improperly labeled 1979 online. 15155. It turns out Gene accidentally rubbed host Terry Gross up the wrong way during an interview with the star. As Simmons explains, "because I owned the name and the design, it qualifies as an invention in the library of congress. None of the pre-1974 pics I've found suggest that the body was more than a slab-style with some rounding for the upper horns. The Fender Jazz basses Ive used on some songs, but live, theyre too boomy. But as far as what its going to mean after Im gone, oh my god, who cares? My bass is the only musical instrument that is an 'invention'.". The musician was behind some of the most legendary tunes of our time and left a huge mark on the world when he passed in 2016. But, during the Convention Tour of 1995 this bass was part of the museum and was labeled as a prototype Gene Simmons Axe (see pic and video below). Genes got some good . Nashville, TN (January 8, 2021) -- Gibson, the iconic American guitar brand, has entered into a joint venture with Gene Simmons, international rock legend and co-founder of KISS, America's #1 gold record award-winning group of all time, in all categories (RIAA), to create G. In fact, it couldnt be further from the truth. Miley Cyrus is one of the many on the list as the musician wanted to break away from her Disney Channel persona in the most memorable way possible. . Considering the rather complicated control layout, 3 knobs and 4 switches, it was probably not a Gene favorite. (Also seen in Lund, Sweden. Apparently, Gene has always been obsessed with comic books and knows some of the biggest names who have worked on the art over the years, but it was getting his hands on certain Golden Age books and turning them around for $10,000 each that really saw the money start rolling in from a young age. LoBue custom LP Triumph Gibson EB-0. In the video clip from In Concert below (shot on 74.02.21) we see the original incarnation of the LoBue in all its glory. Like many, the rockstar was forced to take any job that came his way, including a role as a deli cashier. Earliest known appearance of this version is 75.05.06 in Milwaukee, WI. For this occasion Gene borrowed a Thunderbird and proceeded to "thumb" his way through the songs.). It turns out that Gene Simmons worked in a whole host of careers before he made his way to the world of rock and roll. With so little video evidence from this part of the tour it's hard to say whether these are two different pickups or just the trick of light and angles but considering the next (and later) developments I'm going to put my money on the light/angles hypothesis. I wanted to share this video because of how li. PURCHASE & PAYMENT PLANS. This phenomenon can also be spotted at the start of the Return of KISS tour. The shot from Springfield 79.09.05 shows the new inlay. Below are a few early shots of Gene using the LoBue in 1972-73 starting with the loft rehearsals as a three piece, a shot from one of the shows at the Daisy, and the soundcheck for the Filmore shows. All of the basses are built at a shop in South Korea [although there are some specialty one-off builds done in the USA by master builder, Jim Cara]. It showed a mirror image of the #1 Spector and erroneously dubbed it a "Spectre" bass, even claiming it was the first "Spectre" ever made. Some have wondered why the Kiss star hasnt used his time in the limelight to help other people on their rise to the top. While his larger-than-life, demonic imagery . The pickup is still the original one as we can see from the lovely closeups. Sadly, neither relationship lasted for Gene. here, he blamed the politically correct climate across the nation from stopping Americans saying what they really feel. In fact, the rockstar went as far as it saw Mileys tongue was okay, but quickly put his foot in it with a few derogatory comments. But at the end of the day a guitar is just a tool to create art. The idea that it was a built-in fuzz is much less likely. The pickup becomes a Gibson EB-0 style, something that Gene had experimented with before (the Fender he used during the Wicked Lester days) and it would be the last pickup change for the LoBue. The Spector takes over as the #1 and during the early part of the Love Gun tour it is brought out only occasionally soon to disappear completely. Spector #2 was also a part of the traveling circus that was The Return of KISS but it doesn't seem to have gotten much action. Now, Kiss is linked to an incredible number of product categories 3,000 to be precise. After having used a few different basses during the time in Wicked Lester, an Epiphone that was stolen and a Fender P-bass with a Gibson EB-0 pickup, Gene finally found his weapon of choice in the shape of a Charlie LoBue custom bass. There was little change as the band headed into 1974 and started on what would turn out to be a lifetime of heavy touring. Switching to just the bridge pickup, theres a huge shift in the midrange and a noticeable drop in the low-end thats perfect for chords or riffs that need less sonic boom and more snarl, such as Simmons opening lines to Love Gun and Shout It Out Loud, played higher up the neck on the first string. Apparently, Gene thinks there are some similarities between the two as rockstars and teachers both have an audience; its just that one might have to perform to people who dont want to be there. It has a twin horn, small body, with one DiMarzio pickup." [] I had two of them on the road with me, but I liked the sound of the off-red one." Many people thought Gene was talking about those who suffer from their mental health. Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz; Hebrew: , [aim vits]; born August 25, 1949) is an Israeli-American musician.Also known by his stage persona the Demon, he is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the hard rock band he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in the early 1970s. What I will call mkII actually makes it's documented debut in Detroit 74.12.20. G, from Gene to Gibson, will introduce new collections of right and left-handed electric guitars and basses across . Spector #2 These pics, which found their way into the later versions of the tour book, show the bass with a black blade and black knobs. Personal messages from members of The Gene Simmons Bass Collectors Club. For me it was also pragmatism, because I already owned the word Axe as it relates to musical instruments, so I hand-designed it, and I still have the original artwork and it looks very much like the Axe thats available today. It has a 30" scale which matches that of the LoBue. Gene Simmons has often been questioned about who he has been with and how many people have made their way to the list over the years. Designed to meet the musical needs of modern bassists, it features the classic Reverse Thunderbird body and headstock shape. Fans of the band get to enjoy an entire performance thats been carefully choreographed to be an experience like none other in the world. I still have 50 or so that are from the 70s but theyre available for sale. To those who might call Simmons a sellout, Simmons has a message, Damn right, bitch. The earliest known date for this is from Uniondale 79.09.01. That was until 2011 when Gene suddenly got down on one knee and decided to make things official. Let's talk about your Axe basses. This obviously reflected the economic state of the band at the time, Paul and Ace also had very clear no. The imposing imagery the Axe inspires would lead many to believe that it is purely a stage instrument, but it was used extensively in the studio through the years as the tonal properties were always a priority. The shift to the Jackson comes about just before the European leg of the Lick it up tour. the #2 Spector got the nod. . Gene simply replied, Nobody. Open menu Close menu . It's a smart and quick solution since it's not visible for the most part. "The first project with KISS for me, was when Gene said he wanted a guitar shaped like an executioner's axe. As a session guitarist, he's played alongside members of Judas Priest and Uriah Heep in London ensemble Metalworks, as well as handling lead guitars for legends like Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Faces) and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, G3). It has also been suggested that this one is actually from 1981 but that would make it later than the production model Kramer Axe which would cast some doubt on Carr's statement above. It has a 24 frets and the deep cut away which allows me to easily reach the 23rd and 24th frets - a real bonus. Amit has been writing for titles likeTotal Guitar,MusicRadarandGuitar Worldfor over a decade and counts Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan and Jeff Beck among his primary influences. His grandparents and one uncle were murdered by Hitler's henchmen. It might sound impossible, but its true. The first known sighting of this bass is on 75.08.09 and it doesn't seem to survive 1975. Along with the refinish the knobs were changed to match the new color. Whether or not the change to the new bridge occured earlier than Cobo Hall 76.01.25 is anybody's guess. From the Spector site - For 20 years, Gene Simmons of the legendary band KISS recorded and toured with his custom made Spector bass. LoBue custom. Lets face it; its no secret that some of our favorite celebrities have worked through some pretty mundane jobs before making their way to the top. In the case of Kramer, Jackson and Cort, as soon as quality started to dip, a new builder would be found. This is not a traditional signature model arrangement. But for the Fridays TV appearance in January 1982 Spector #2 was back. Gene Simmons, bass guitarist for Kiss, gets ready to breathe fire during the crescendo of "Firehouse," a number performed during a concert in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 18, 1977. Exact year is unknown but Gibson transitioned to this body type in 1961. See Gibson for more details. At about eight or nine years of age Some time in November mk VII shows up. This custom prototype Axe bass was built by Steve Carr who originally came to work for the band when his one-time apprentice became Ace's guitar tech in 1978. Answer (1 of 7): When I was younger it was KISS that got me to listen to Heavy Metal and I thought then that Gene Simmons was the best period! As Simmons explains, because I owned the name and the design, it qualifies as an invention in the library of congress. 1980. Cort GS Ax Punisher 2 Bass - One of Gene Simmons' two basses is a Cort GS Ax Punisher. Considering that the mkI version had a single coil pickup (possibly a stacked humbucker) the third knob is somewhat of a mystery.