Spending the Holiday Season with Gene Simmons and Family

I was invited to spend the holidays with the Gene Simmons family. Shannon Tweed, Gene's beautiful "spousal equivalent" asked me to join them during their holiday celebration. From the moment that I met this family, I have been surprised at how down to earth and genuine they really are. Shannon is a delight to be with. She is funny, honest and a woman of great character. She is the glue that binds the family and she fills the traditional "mom role" with ease. Shannon just happens to look like she walked off of the cover of "Cosmopolitan Magazine" while doing it!
I fully expected a staff to be handling the domestic details. To my surprise, Shannon and their daughter Sophie, were preparing the meal and Nick, their son was helping everyone with their coats and serving refreshments. Gene was lounging on his deck; quietly viewing the tremendous mountains that cascade down into the front of their home. I joined Gene, on the deck where we engaged in a conversation about architecture and landscape. Gene is actually a very soft spoken man, but what he has to say always carries weight. You can tell that he holds his family sacred and that he possesses wisdom beyond his years. I enjoyed spending time with this rock and roll legend and I fully understood that it was an honor to have such an expedience.

The other guests soon began to arrive and Nick was relieved from his hosting duties, once their housekeeper took over. Nick, Sophie and their friends were running through the house and jumping on the trampoline. I joined Shannon, in the kitchen and helped her with the final preparations. Don Dokken, the lead singer of the band Dokken, was one of the guests who joined us. I didn't realize it, but his daughter was Nick's guest. The two have been dating for about a year. Doc McGhee, the owner of McGhee Entertainment and Tracie Tweed, Shannon's sister were among the last to arrive.

The meal was served buffet style in the open kitchen area. The home is fully designed for entertaining, as the dining room and living areas flow together. Guests were seated in and outdoors. The weather was beautiful and the atmosphere was full of love and family. Shannon has a remarkable gift with food. This holiday feast was one of the most incredible meals that I have ever eaten. From the turkey to the brochette, everything was made to perfection.
Afterwords, Shannon and I decided that the kids weren't going to have all of the fun. We joined them on the trampoline and regressed to being fifteen years old once again. Gene and Don Dokken retired to the study and the rest of the guest mingled outside on the lovely, tree lined decks that surround the outside of the mansion. Sophie and Nick's girlfriend wanted to go swimming, so they turned on the "water park" sized slide that enters the pool and jumped in. Soon, all of the other kids were in the water as well. Most of them jumped in with their holiday clothes, the others borrowed suits from Nick and Sophie. Shannon and I declined the swimming offer and went back inside to try and locate Gene.

Around 5 PM the guests were all gone and Shannon invited me to spend the night in the guest quarters. I accepted, as I was worn out from my trampoline escapades. We decided to go to a movie and let all of our food digest in front of the big screen. Going to a theater, with Gene is interesting. It takes him a while to get into his seat because of all of the fans. Gene was very gracious and signed autographs up until the movie started. He really does respect his fans and followers.

Gene and Shannon have a truly beautiful relationship. It is based upon faith, respect and devotion. One can see the love in their eyes, when they look upon each other. Their children are happy and responsible. They have been raised to respect others and to always be thankful for their blessings. It was a real privilege to spend this time with the Simmons clan and get to know them a little better. It is a holiday that I will never forget.