Gene Simmons recently commented on sobriety and personal values in a statement shared on Men’s Health.
When asked why he doesn’t drink alcohol, Simmons explained his perspective on substance use and self-discipline. His response reflected deeply personal motivations rooted in his family history.
“I don’t drink. I never have… The rock world is filled with losers, idiots,” Simmons said. “Actually, I think it goes back to my mother. She was a survivor of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps at 14 years of age, and I never wanted to break her heart.”
Simmons emphasized the influence of his mother’s resilience on his life choices. He described his commitment to avoiding self-destructive behavior as a way to honor her sacrifices.
“I’m her only child, so this idea that you could be a loser, not be able to earn a living, and destroy yourself,” he continued. “I mean, she’d give her life to prevent anybody from hurting me, but it’s okay for me to hurt myself? It’s like crazy. No.”
Gene Simmons’ commitment to sobriety stands as a remarkable exception within the rock music industry. Substance use has historically been intertwined with the culture, making his unwavering dedication to abstinence throughout his decades-long career with KISS a deliberate choice shaped by personal values and family devotion.
Gene Simmons, bassist and co-founder of KISS, has maintained a sobriety lifestyle throughout his life, according to LA Times. He has avoided alcohol and drugs primarily out of respect and devotion to his mother, a Holocaust survivor. This commitment reflects his personal values of discipline, responsibility, and self-control, which he sees as essential for his success and longevity in the demanding rock music industry.
The only exception to Simmons’ sobriety occurred in the 1970s, as reported by Live for Live Music. He unknowingly ate six cannabis-infused brownies backstage, resulting in hallucinations. He has publicly recalled this incident as a cautionary tale rather than a moment of indulgence.
Simmons has emphasized that his sobriety helps him stay sharp and make rational decisions. It also enables him to fulfill his professional and personal responsibilities. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that his commitment to maintaining clear mental focus and physical fitness is necessary for the high-energy performances and rigorous touring schedules that have defined KISS’s legendary career. By choosing abstinence, Simmons has positioned himself as a positive role model within an industry often associated with excess and self-destruction.
His mother’s traumatic past and survival instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility. He developed a desire not to disappoint her by engaging in self-destructive behavior. This personal motivation has become central to Simmons’ public identity and his critique of the rock world’s culture of excess—a stance he continues to defend as both a professional necessity and a personal honor to his family’s legacy.
