In a recent interview with Adam Carolla, Gene Simmons of Kiss shared a memorable memory: his very first meeting with Angus Young, the legendary guitarist of AC/DC. This moment not only marked Simmons, but also played a key role in AC/DC’s rise in the United States.
“He had no front teeth” : a memorable encounter
In 1977, AC/DC, although having already released iconic albums like High Voltage et Let There Be Rockstruggled to make a name for himself in the United States. It was in this context that Gene Simmons discovered the group during a concert in the modest Troubadour club in Los Angeles. Fascinated by their energy on stage, he decided to meet the musicians after the show.
Simmons particularly remembers a dinner with Angus Young at a restaurant called Ben Frank’s: “He looks up at the waitress and says, ‘I’d like some hot dogs and beans. Without the bread.’ I said to him: ‘You mean without the bun?’ And when the order came, he directly took the hot dog and chewed it on the side because he had no front teeth. It was incredible. He couldn’t afford [un rendez-vous chez le dentiste pour se faire poser des implants] !”
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Kiss reaches out to AC/DC
Touched by the situation and convinced of the potential of AC/DC, Gene Simmons immediately offered an invaluable opportunity to the young Australian group: “I told them, ‘You’re going to go on tour with us. The rest of the country doesn’t know you yet. You have to go on the tour.’ We took them with us.”
This tour alongside Kiss allowed AC/DC to make a name for themselves on the American rock scene. Simmons also explains that this collaboration pushed Kiss to surpass themselves every night: “Every night they got on stage and performed like it was their only chance. We had to follow them and not settle for the bare minimum. We had to give it our all, because this group literally set the stage on fire.”
Gene Simmons: an eye for talent
This anecdote also illustrates Gene Simmons’ ability to spot promising talents before they reach the top. Before reaching out to AC/DC, Simmons had already produced a demo for Van Halen in 1976, before the group became rock legends.
By helping AC/DC rise to prominence and supporting their burgeoning career, Simmons contributed to the rise of a band that would become one of the biggest names in rock history.
