Gene Simmons

Israeli-born American musician, a bass player, singer, actor and member of the enormously popular group, "Kiss." In 1978 he recorded several solo albums; backed by the largest ad campaign in music history both records went platinum. Two years after his solo success, he created the axe bass guitar.

During the '70s, Kiss included Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. In the '90s, it was composed of Bruce Kulick, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons. Throughout their career, the group was attacked by critics as barely competent and over-loud guitar based, one of rock's least respected and most enduring groups. After 20 years of fame, rock's leading vulgarians were still crude, lewd - and rich. They have sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide.

For performance, Simmon's thick body is crammed into skintight black leather pants, biker boots and a skull-and-crossbones T-shirt. He wears black nail polish, a goatee and long dark hair in a ponytail, looking like a member of a satanic biker-gang. He claims he never went in for booze or drugs but for the appeal of money, fame, power and women.

Simmons' autobiography, "Kiss and Makeup," Crown books 2001, he related that he kept Polaroid snapshots of the lovers to keep track - or some 4,600 women.