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FeedGene Simmons in Downtown San Diego
By Ron Donoho
Photo by Paul Savage Photography
Inside Jade Theater, cameras and reporters were everywhere, queuing up to get face time with the former Kiss bassist. He was flanked by a bevy of blond beauties wearing sexy white lederhosen. (Frank’s is made in Austria. Allegedly, if you drink enough Frank’s, you can stay up yodeling all night.)
I got my two minutes with the long-tongued one, as Simmons was known and revered back in the makeup-mad Kiss days. “Why do the U.S. launch of Frank’s in San Diego?” I asked.
“San Diego is not like Los Angeles or New York,” says Simmoms. “It’s more like a combination of Los Angeles and Middle America.” As in, a perfect test market. Frank’s will be available in 7-Elevens all over the county, and soon the country. Jade Theater will be one of at least 10 local bars pouring the invigorating stuff, served in four flavors: original, sugar-free, lime and pineapple.I wanted to ask Simmons about his stint on The Celebrity Apprentice. It had appeared to me Simmons was trying to get fired by Donald Trump. Alas, a camera crew plucked Simmons away, and my brush with greatness was over.
One of Simmons’ Energy Girls heard mention of San Diego Magazine and perkily noted her readership. “Channy” says she lives in La Jolla but works in Yuma as a TV reporter. She says she reports on serious news—politics and the like. When my look turned quizzical—where do they report politics in low-cut lederhosen?—Channy laughed. “Being an Energy Girl isn’t my day job,” she says. “But it pays the bills.”
Just another night in the 92101…
Posts please: Let me know if you’ve been to Jade Theater; if you’ve ever seen Simmons’ reality show (Family Jewels); and/or if you’ve ever OD’d on Red Bull energy drink.
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Reader Comments:
Austria, huh? So how is it pronounced?
Frank the Tank or Fraunk the Taunk?
-Janitor
Janitor: Fraunkly speaking, I don't know...RonDon
How flattering it is to hear that we live in a town that's a combination of Los Angeles and Middle America from a guy who's probably done more traveling than all of us combined.
Would Mr. Simmons agree to a medical study to determine the correlation of Frank's consumption and the length of ones tongue?!?
Sven: There have been several studies on the subject, on college campuses throughout the country. One of the studies was even published in a tongue 'zine called "Say Ahh." Nothing conclusive has linked energy drinks and tongue length. However, the Bush Administration has poured $34 billion into laboratory research, so look to next year for an answer to your question...--RonDon