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Leader and bassist of the band Kiss, Gene Simmons.

Fresh Air | By Terry Gross

Published December 29, 2002 at 10:00 PM MST

This is a repeat of Terry Gross' now-infamous interview with the Kiss band member. The band rose to prominence and popularity in the mid 1970s. They were known for their Halloweenish face paint, black-leather outfits, platform heels and grandiose stage shows where Simmons spit blood, belched fire and stuck out his seven-inch tongue. Simmons' autobiography is Kiss and Make-Up which details his early years growing up in Israel and later Brooklyn. This interview first aired February 4, 2002.

Terry Gross

Combine an intelligent interviewer with a roster of guests that, according to the Chicago Tribune, would be prized by any talk-show host, and you're bound to get an interesting conversation. Fresh Air interviews, though, are in a category by themselves, distinguished by the unique approach of host and executive producer Terry Gross. "A remarkable blend of empathy and warmth, genuine curiosity and sharp intelligence," says the San Francisco Chronicle.

See stories by Terry Gross