Thanks to his work alongside KISS, Gene Simmons was able to enjoy the finer things in life, which also included his own reality show. As we'll reveal in the following, with Gene's success came a lot of protection towards KISS. In fact, Simmons turned down some major names for the group in the past.
It is hard to find anyone that doesn't know KISS. However, Carrot Top went for a hilarious prank years ago, convincing Gene he didn't know the group. Gene Simmons' reaction to Carrot Top's reveal was not a positive one, and things took an awkward turn.
We'll take a look at Carrot Top's reveal of the story on JRE, while taking a glimpse at other Gene Simmons moments that did not go to plan.
Gene Simmons Was Very Protective Of KISS Over The Years
It is hard to believe that anyone doesn't know of KISS, let alone Carrot Top. Gene Simmons is a major part of the group's success, and he's been very protective of KISS as well throughout the years.
Among one of his biggest moves was turning down Eddie Van Halen's attempt to join the group. Simmons revealed the details, and what went down between the two. He saw potential, but knew it wouldn't work.
"So I take [Eddie] to lunch across the street and he actually tells me: ‘I want to join Kiss. I can’t take Roth – he’s driving me nuts. We’re not getting along. I’ve got this sound in my head that I want Van Halen to do, and Roth doesn’t want to do it, and we’re just getting to a point where he’s believing his own hype."
“I remember feeling proud of what I said. I said: ‘Don’t do it. Stay with the band you started. There’s no role for you – you’re too big. You cast too much of a shadow to be the guitar player in Kiss."
Simmons would go on to reveal that the transition would've never worked for either side. As for Eddie Van Halen, well he denies that the moment ever took place...
Carrot Top Joked Around That He Never Heard Of KISS, And Gene Simmons Was Not Pleased
Speaking alongside Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience, Carrot Top revealed memorable stories that took place throughout his career. Among the more hilarious tales included his time on Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Carrot Top was able to get an exclusive tour of Simmons' KISS warehouse, which he compared to the size of Walmart.
It was all going very smoothly, until Carrot Top decided to prank Simmons.
He said, "I said this is going to come across as wrong, don't take this the wrong way. I said, I never heard of KISS, you must've done well." Carrot Top continued on asking Simmons how long they'd been a band for. He recalls Simmons, "looking like he was going to kill me."
Simmons however wasn't buying it, and eventually the comedian revealed he was just joking around. The moment can be viewed in the video below.
Fans in the comment section had just as much fun as Rogan did, hearing the story.
"The way Carrot Top told that story about Gene Simmons was brilliant. He told it in such a way that it leads you on to think its true as well."
Another fan writes, "This dude is all around entertaining & fun to watch. I watch Joe Rogan every day (just about) -- this interview had me smiling & laughing more than any other. The way Carrot Top just talks in general feels like you're hanging with the funniest friend you have who doubles as a genuine, all around great guy."
Clearly, fans felt positively about his interview alongside JRE.
Gene Simmons Had His Fair Share Of Tense Interviews Throughout His Career
Fans have seen some awkward Gene Simmons interviews in the past. One of them, included an interviewer calling him out for messing up a price for his vault box set. Once Simmons realized the blunder, he called his team himself and threatened their jobs, asking them to make the change ASAP.
Perhaps the hardest moment to watch however took place alongside Joy Behar. The interview saw his wife Shannon Tweed walk out after he made an inappropriate comment. According to Simmons, he was set up by the host.
"I'm holding on for dear life, because I'm surrounded by both of you," Simmons said at the start of the interview.
"Thanks for the question, you did the entire setup."
It turned into an awkward moment and one that had fans feeling sorry for Tweed. Nonetheless, it wasn't the first time things got a little too real with Gene on camera. Fans got to see multiple moments as such, thanks to his reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
