Honorable Mention: Gene Simmons
You’ve got to hand it to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, they know how to make money. Given that Simmons’ logo for his record company is a bag of money, he’s a proud capitalist. And what he’s best at selling is himself. Seven seasons of Gene Simmons Family Jewels proved that. And the fact that he’s licensing KISS for Hello Kitty seems to suggest that he’ll be milking the cash cow for long after the band stops playing. And it’s not like the overt sexism of the band’s lyrics are just an act. When appearing on NPR’s Fresh Air, he pretty much seemed out to offend host Terry Gross, stating “If you want to welcome me with open arms, I’m afraid you’re also going to have to welcome me with open legs.” But continuing to slap a KISS logo on anything from caskets to condoms proves that his appetite for money trumps his appetite for sex.
