GENE SIMMONS Confesses OZZY OSBOURNE Taught Him The One Lesson He Couldn’t Learn On Stage

Summary

• Gene Simmons reflected on Ozzy Osbourne’s death, calling him a giant who treated everyone the same.
• Simmons admitted Ozzy’s humility was a lesson for him, contrasting with his own self-protective armor.
• While Simmons built a larger-than-life persona, he admired Ozzy’s ability to stay genuine and unafraid.

Gene Simmons recently opened up about what he took away from decades of knowing Ozzy Osbourne.

The KISS co-founder, now 75, reflected on the loss of Ozzy, who died July 22 at 76, during an appearance on David Duchovny’s podcast Fail Better.

Calling the death “heartbreaking,” Simmons said the memory that stands out most is how Ozzy carried himself around people.

“There was a unique human being, a giant, who, no matter what anybody said, was always Ozzy and treated you and the next-door neighbor exactly the same,” Simmons explained. “‘Hey, how are you? Nice to see you.’ No airs about him.”

That, Simmons admitted, hit harder than expected.

“It’s a good lesson for idiots like me who sometimes, guilty as charged, get full of themselves and say, ‘Wow, I’m Gene Simmons.’ And if you would have met Ozzy, you’re on your best behavior. You try to, because it is a big deal.”

Armor vs. Openness

While Ozzy wore his heart on his sleeve, Simmons said he built walls instead.

He described his own life as one wrapped in “armor”, a way to protect himself by creating an image, changing his name, and leaning into the larger-than-life KISS persona.

“People think I’m much richer than I actually am. I mean, I’ve done okay, but… it’s just that thing. I like that thing because it tends to mean you might not be hurt as much,” Simmons said. Then came the cynical punchline: “Because there are a lot of people who are out to get you. Because they have empty lives? I don’t know why.”

For Simmons, survival in rock often meant deflection. For Ozzy, it seemed to mean sincerity.

That contrast clearly stayed with him.

A Different Kind of Strength

The KISS bassist credited Ozzy for being fearless about showing who he was, flaws and all.

That kind of openness, Simmons admitted, was something he never managed to master.

Where Simmons relied on bravado and misdirection, Ozzy relied on being Ozzy. And judging from the way Simmons talked about him, it’s a style of living he respected, even if he never quite figured out how to copy it.

“Ozzy could be genuine and unafraid in a way I struggled with,” Simmons said.

That one simple lesson, he added, may have been the most valuable thing he took away from their friendship.

About Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons was born in Israel in 1949 and moved to New York City as a child. His early years were far from the arena spotlight, he grew up in a working-class household and developed an early fascination with comic books, movies, and American pop culture.

That mix of influences would later shape the theatrical side of KISS.

By the early 1970s, Simmons co-founded KISS with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. The band quickly stood out with their black-and-white makeup, fire-breathing stage shows, and anthems like “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Simmons, as “The Demon,” became the face of the group’s darker and more aggressive edge.

His tongue-wagging persona and pyrotechnic theatrics helped turn KISS into a global brand.

Outside of music, Simmons became one of the most business-savvy figures in rock. He pushed KISS into merchandising at a scale few bands had attempted before, stamping the band’s logo on everything from lunch boxes to pinball machines.

This approach, while sometimes criticized as over-the-top, helped secure the band’s financial stability long after their ’70s heyday.

In later decades, Simmons leaned into media appearances, acting roles, and even reality television. His show Gene Simmons Family Jewels gave fans a look at his personal life, mixing humor with a surprisingly candid view of family dynamics.

Now in his mid-70s, Simmons continues to perform, manage business ventures, and weigh in on the state of rock, never shy about sharing his opinions.

Got a tip for us? Email: [email protected]