Gene Simmons On The Oldest Profession

Rocker And Reality Star Writes Book About Prostitution From A Historical Perspective

(CBS)  As a member of the band Kiss for 35 years, Gene Simmons has spent a lot of time rock and rolling all night - and partying every day. Now he's out with a book about workers who like to party on a different sort of night shift.

"Let's call it what it is. The poetic phrase is 'the oldest profession in the world,'" he told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "So it takes a historical point of view from the brothels of Rome to the geishas of Japan."

The book's lengthy title is "Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World," but Simmons said the "personal perspective" doesn't mean he's been a customer.

"My problem with that is they expect me to pay them. They're supposed to pay me," he said with usual bravado. "Not going to happen. Seriously, it's a book that I wanted the style to match the content. It's gold trimmed. It's a beautiful piece. Put it on your coffee table and let the guests in your house find the delicious subject by which to spend an evening talking about."

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Read Excerpt: "Ladies Of The Night"
© 2008, Phoenix Books, All Rights reserved.

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Simmons said that he's not attempting to romanticize prostitution, but instead wants to open up dialogue about the subject.

"This is something everybody knows exist. But in this puritanical culture, we have terrific family values and that's great," he said. "Other subject matters are swept under the rug."

He said that he wouldn't object to it being legalized because he feels government regulation could be beneficial.

"I'm not in an advocacy group," he said. "I would not object to it being legalized, because anything the government is not involved in - in terms of trade - is the wild west so you've got drugs, you've got criminals."

In addition to promoting his book, Simmons has been busy with music and television.

He and his Kiss bandmates kicked off their 35th Anniversary Tour in Australia in March.

"And they said it wouldn't last. I got your 'wouldn't last right here,'" Simmons quipped, Brooklyn style. "Melbourne, in front of 80,000 people. Whirlwind tour of Europe."

The band is on a break from the tour while Simmons films season 4 of his reality series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." New episodes of season 3 are currently airing on A&E.

[morganbarber]

Money for ***. That is all marriage has ever been.

[cbsguest6]

I''ve got something to say...

"cbsguest6: You pay for *** one way or another. Prostitution just minimizes the BS. Probably cheaper too."

Posted by cbscrash07 at 08:55 PM : Jul 10, 2008

I''ve thought long and hard about this. I didn''t pray. I didn''t consult any psychic friends. I didn''t even use a million dollar phone call...

In nature their are two kinds of animals. A predator and the prey. Society and prostitution are analogous to nature. Their are predators(johns) and prey(prostitutes). If you got the money to spend on the prostitutes fee give it to her/him and forgo the sseexx. If they won''t take the money give it to a homeless person or someone in dire need. Wow! That was easy:) Now to work on world peace...

~This is an edit of my previous post.~

[observer2020]

This man is so full of himself and his views that it is comedy to watch him. However, he IS one of the most intelligent businessmen around today. Whatever he does, turns into gold...and if it doesn''t, he sweeps it under the rug and comes up with something else. He sells s3x, and for him, it works. Women flock to him.

[bobgee_1999]

What does it say about a 60 year-old man who is so shallow he is still obsessed with the most common thing in the world? Your music sucked, Gene, and how much money you made off of tasteless, t-shirt-clad, mullet-wearing, fast food workers will never change that. Shh. Go away now.

[carlylaine]

And I might add...ya don''t have to wake up with the same ugly mug...just your own.

[carlylaine]

Isn''t marriage a form of prostitution?

"Give me ***, I''ll buy you presents and a home and give you a child."

[cbsguest6]

I''ve got something to say...

"cbsguest6: You pay for *** one way or another. Prostitution just minimizes the BS. Probably cheaper too."

Posted by cbscrash07 at 08:55 PM : Jul 10, 2008

I''ve thought long and hard about this. I didn''t pray. I didn''t consult any psychic friends. I didn''t even use a million dollar phone call...

In nature their are two kinds of animals. A predator and the prey. Society and prostitution are analogous to nature. Their are predators(johns) and prey(prostitutes). If got the money to spend on the prostitutes fee give it to her/him and forgo the sseexx. If they won''t take the money give it to a homeless person. Wow! That was easy:) Now to work on world peace...

[eddom949]

The guy who brought us Animalize and Detroit Rock City, is it his Phd. thesis perhaps? Maybe just a little stilted, and politically naive...

[Syndicate]

cbsguest6: You pay for *** one way or another. Prostitution just minimizes the BS. Probably cheaper too.

[hypnotoad72]

meh

[newsjunky5]

What does that hand gesture mean again Gene?
Is it "two for the funk and one for the..." no, that''s not it.
Love ya.
Stick out your tongue again!!

[cbsguest6]

This books sounds interesting. I personally don''t support legalized prostitution. If you need to pay for *** you need to ask yourself, "Why?"

[clevercandi]

Gene, change NOTHING!! You and your family are pure gold! Keep the funny episodes coming. The ONLY "reality" show worth watching, in my book.

[goldsummer]

Gene.. really.. you need a make over. That hair is out of date , out of style. Love the show.. hate the hair.