Gene Simmons’ first show outside of his band Kiss was a successful one. He lent his name to a worthy cause that also had Jerry Salas & Carry On, Bobby Kimball (former singer of Toto) & Union of Saints performing and his own family also were in attendance. Nick Tweed Simmons did “Roadhouse Blues” (The Doors cover) with his dad joining him on bass and Sophie Tweed Simmons sang “At Last” the Etta James classic.
The Rock for Vets Band included Gene and his Kiss band mates guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. They did “I Love it Loud” twice for the cameras filming for Gene’s show “Gene Simmons Family Jewels.” Various women were dressed in appropriate sailor suit outfits. The Tweed women (which would include Shannon, Sophie and Tracey) sold posters which all benefited the Rock the Vets program. The Rock for Vets band and Jerry Salas & Carry On performed songs like the Police’s “Synchroncity II,” Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” The Eagles “Tequila Sunrise.” Bobby Kimball & Union of Saints stuck to all Toto materiel “Hold the Line, “Rosanna,” and “Africa.”
The benefit was for a music therapy program for US veterans. The director for the program and this nights festivities was Frank McIlquham. Please tune into Gene Simmons Family Jewels on Mondays at 9pm on A&E.
We would like to thank Doc McGhee from Kiss’ Management and Sarah Akkari from Gene Simmons Family Jewels for allowing BackstageAxxess.com to take part in such a unique event. For more information on the Rock the Vets program, please go to: Rock Vets.
