I Forgot To Ask To See His Tongue

Last week I attended an awards luncheon for those who work in media. Those in attendance were welcomed with some drinks, a really nice lunch and an awards presentation. The winners received recognition in the industry, an award and some awkward time on stage to thank people.

Oh. And we all got to meet Gene Simmons. Because he hosted the event. Which totally makes sense and isn’t out of the ordinary at all.

On the schedule for the lunch, they listed Gene as a “Rock God and Media Mogul”. Which seems silly to me because I’ve always just viewed him as that KISS member with the unnervingly long tongue. Which I suppose is more than enough cred needed to attain “Rock God” status, but the media mogul part still had me a bit in the dark.

Gene Simmons

During his speech, though, he let us all know how wide spread KISS is, in almost every single way. They have everything from lunch boxes to t-shirts. And, as he made me aware, condoms and caskets. “We get ‘em when they’re coming and we get ‘em when they’re going”, Gene told the audience.

So after presenting awards to all the winners [my boss included!] and making thinly veiled innuendos towards all the blondes in the audience, the luncheon ended and most people began to head back to work. Most people.

Myself and two co-workers decided that the one thing we were missing in our lives was a picture with Gene Simmons. And if we only had this picture, then our lives, they would be set. So we fought our way up on stage, making our boss wait at the table, and snapped this little piece of history.

Gene & The Gang

What I found funny was that throughout the entire meal, he didn’t wear those sunglasses. Then, as soon as he walked on stage, they appeared on his face out of nowhere. KISS magic. It’s crazy.