Kiss News: Hanging With Condoleeza Rice, Still Extremely Rich

With a legion of fans eager to buy coffins, comics and whatever else they're peddling, it's not surprise that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss have a lot of money. While the band wouldn't elaborate how big their fortune actually is — Gene Simmons' worth is estimated near $100 million — the band will admit "We have more money than some small countries." "It's a privilege to do what we do, and let's say we make a living," Simmons said.

Perhaps she was trying to enlist the KISS Army's support John McCain in the event that she's chosen as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met the band prior to their performance in Stockholm, Sweden. The band provided Rice and her staff with autographed memorabilia and backstage passes. "It was really fun to meet KISS and Gene Simmons," Rice told reporters while avoiding more important questions like whether she likes Destroyer or Love Gun more.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Great Gatsby' Is a Crushing Disappointment
• 
  TV Why You Should Watch 'Happy Endings'
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“The A Team”

Ed Sheeran | 2011

This debut track from the then-20-year-old British singer-songwriter has a dark story behind it. Sheeran says he culls songwriting inspiration from "viewing other people's situations," which, for the heroine in "The A Team," involves drug addiction and prostitution that began as a teen. Sheeran paints the woman's trials with haunting imagery such as "But lately her face seems/Slowly sinking, wasting/Crumbling like pastries." "I did a gig at a homeless shelter, [and the song] is about one of the women there. It's her story," he said.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter