Gene Simmons - Gene Simmons To Get Keys To The City Of Winnipeg

Gene Simmons To Get Keys To The City Of Winnipeg

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is set to receive keys to the city of Winnipeg.

The 61-year-old singer/bassist - who stars in reality TV show 'Gene Simmons: Family Jewels' - will be honoured today (15.06.11) by St. Vital Councillor Gord Steeves, who is standing in for mayor Sam Katz because he is away in Israel.

The mayor's office said in a statement: "Gene has spent his life and career overcoming challenges and creating success in business and family by remaining true to his Roots and values."

Councillor Gord is delighted to be making the presentation to the fire-breathing musician ahead of Sam - who, like Gene, was born in Israel - although the city councilor admitted he has not been following The Rock god's career in recent years.

He told the Winnipeg Free Press: "My wife is a huge Gene Simmons fan. She just loves watching his show. I kind of lost track of him for 30 years. It's been 30 years since I paid attention."

And the councillor's wife is not the only big fan of the 'Rock 'N' Roll All Nite' singer, who recently revealed a number of stars who grew up listening to his music.

He said: "The strangest people grew up on Kiss - Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe.

"We snuck into the Grammys one time, and Luther Vandross was like, 'Oh my God, it's Kiss!' "