Gene Simmons to KISS and tell

(Launch) - Looks like Gene Simmons, KISS' long-tongued bassist and co-founder, will be the first member of the band to officially kiss and tell. Simmons has reportedly signed a deal with Crown Books for an autobiography to be published in 2002, for which he received a six-figure advance. It's being portrayed as quite the American epic - the tale of an immigrant from Israel who learned the ways of his new country and turned into one of the greatest show-biz successes of the 20th century. Never shy in his account of the band's successes, Simmons recently chronicled a few of the achievements that might turn up in the book: "Having a successful career in makeup - a successful career without makeup. Being right behind the Beatles in the number of gold records, getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, bubble-gum cards, KISS movies, comic books - anything you can imagine that other bands can't do." KISS is currently on a farewell tour of North America that will stretch into the summer.