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Plant Gets KISS Of ApprovalFrom: Plainview Daily Herald Posted: October 10, 2007 The first time Glenn See saw GENE SIMMONS was at a KISS concert in Indianapolis back in 1975. At the time, See probably never figured he’d run into Simmons again . . . much less 32 years later at an ethanol plant construction site in Plainview, Texas. But that’s exactly what happened last week when Simmons, the former lead singer of the 1970s rock band KISS, flew into town for a quick visit at the ethanol plant being built east of the city. "Gene has a strong passion for helping the environment, and he came here to learn how (ethanol) is made," explained See, construction project manager at the plant that is about halfway finished and 5-6 months away from completion. "It was quite interesting to have a chance to sit down and talk to Gene one on one," added the 49-year-old See, who used to dress up as Simmons’ KISS character for Halloween. Simmons’ visit last Thursday afternoon came on short notice, and was kept very secret. "Can you imagine what it would have been like had people known he was coming out here," asked Mark Richards, maintenance manager for White Energy. During Simmons’ visit, only plant employees were allowed on the premises. That was too bad for Barry Frye, husband of White Energy administrative assistant Hayley Frye. "He was extremely jealous. He loves KISS," Hayley, 20, said of her 26-year-old husband. "I was taught (when) I met my husband that I had to become an ’80s rock fan before I could come into the family." Simmons played the long-tongued Demon in KISS, the band whose trademark face painting and stage costumes helped make them wildly popular in the mid-’70s. KISS’s elaborate live concerts — including numerous stops in Lubbock and Amarillo — featured firebreathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars and pyrotechnics. The band has been awarded 45 gold albums, and their worldwide sales exceed 80 million albums. In 1983, KISS abandoned their makeup and enjoyed a commercial resurgence throughout the rest of the decade. Buoyed by a wave of KISS nostalgia in the 1990s, the band announced a reunion of the original lineup in 1996 when the KISS Alive/Worldwide Tour was the top-grossing act of the year. The band continues to perform on occasion today, and Simmons also is the subject of a reality TV show on A&E called Family Jewels. The show revolves around Simmons’ life with former Playmate Shannon Tweed (they’ve been "happily unmarried" for 20-plus years) and their two children, Sophie and Nick. Besides music and reality TV, another interest for the 57-year-old Simmons is ethanol. "He’s very into promoting ethanol and supporting us and backing us up," said Richards, pointing out that Simmons is not an investor in the local plant but asked to take a tour nonetheless. "He just wanted to come out and see the plant," Richards added. "More than anything, he really is looking at promoting ethanol." Added See: "Gene’s goal is to create more awareness in the American public on how important it is for the U.S. to use more renewable energy like ethanol. He hopes to start an ethanol education program in the public school systems." See said Simmons, wearing blue jeans and a pink shirt, flew into Plainview on Thursday on a charter jet with his publicist and a photographer. He arrived around 3 p.m. and spent about 1 1/2 hours touring the plant and meeting with ethanol officials. "We met in the conference room and he shared his views on ethanol," Richards said. "He said he’s a big promoter of it and very much into cleaner fuel. He’s a very environmental-minded individual." See said another reason for Simmons’ interest in ethanol is to lessen the country’s dependence on foreign oil. "He’s all about America," See said of Simmons, who was born in Israel and emigrated when he was 4 years old to the United States, growing up in Brooklyn. "He said he doesn’t care if (ethanol) is more expensive. That is just one part of what the world needs to do. "He’s out to do good things with his money," added See, pointing out that Simmons is heavily involved with ethanol in the Indy Racing League. Richards and See came away very impressed with Simmons, not only because of his interest in ethanol but as him as a person. "He’s a very intelligent man who has a lot of stake in different things," Richards said. See called Simmons "very articulate and well-spoken. He has a lot of passion about doing the right thing. He has a lot of integrity." Both men said it’s hard to believe Simmons plays the Demon character in KISS. "You wouldn’t think he was a bad-boy rock star. You can tell it’s all entertainment, all the rock and roll type stuff," said See, adding that Simmons, a former school teacher, never drank alcohol and never used drugs. "He’s a very nice individual, very professional and very genuine," Richards said. "He’s just a good guy. I truly enjoyed visiting with him." Before he left, Simmons signed the gas tank on Richards’ motorcycle. "I’m going to customize it out (in KISS decor) and keep it as a keepsake-type deal," he said. "He’s really a pretty good guy." |
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