Gene Simmons Reflects on the American Dream and Early Days in the U.S.

Gene Simmons, bassist and founding member of the rock band KISS, described his initial impressions of the United States as overwhelming, particularly the abundance of food and the presence of widespread car ownership.

Simmons immigrated to the U.S. from Israel at age eight with his mother, who had survived Nazi concentration camps. He recalled arriving in America and observing "big" people and automobiles, with refrigerators consistently stocked with various food brands. "I couldn’t ever imagine anything like that," Simmons said about his first supermarket experience, which he described as a "city of food."

He also noted that he did not speak English upon arrival. By sixth grade, Simmons had begun working, taking on newspaper delivery routes. He strategically expanded his work by offering to cover other routes, aiming to earn more money through increased effort. "I didn’t mind working. I like money and the way to get to the money is by hard work," he stated.

Simmons' mother expressed pride in his early financial contributions, calling him "my little man" as he presented his earnings. He later applied a similar industrious mindset to his music career, co-founding KISS. Simmons advised against solely relying on the band for income, instead emphasizing the importance of a steady job. He managed to save $23,000 by age 23, which he used to finance the band's early stages. KISS achieved significant success, performing in stadiums within eighteen months of its formation.

"America embraced me as if I were here for generations," Simmons said. He believes the American dream is unstoppable and attributes many innovations that improve lives to invention in the U.S., citing flight and other advancements.

Simmons' story is part of a series featured by The Post in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. The project showcases personal narratives of the American dream as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, located in Washington D.C., offers interactive exhibits and stories related to achieving the American dream.