Gene Simmons was born on August 25, 1949, in Tirat Carmel, Israel. Gene’s name was Chaim Witz, but then changed his name to Gene Simmons in the 1960s. He chose Gene because he wanted it to honor the legendary rockabilly performer Jumpin’ Gene Simmons. Gene then moved to New York City when he was eight. Gene is the co-founder and the bassist of KISS. Gene does vocals and plays the bass guitar. Gene is not married but he lives with his longtime partner Shannon Tweed. They have two children, Nick and Sophie.