Media

Fox bans KISS’s Gene Simmons from properties

by Joe Concha - 11/17/17 8:49 AM ET

The lead singer of the rock band KISS has been banned from all Fox properties “for life” after making lewd comments and harassing employees in a staff meeting following a guest appearance on the network on Thursday.

Fox News confirmed that Simmons was banned after a series of events first reported by The Daily Beast.

Simmons had come to Fox to do an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business’s “Mornings With Maria” to promote his new book.

{mosads}Bartiromo’s studio is located on the third floor at Fox News and Fox Business headquarters in midtown Manhattan. After the interview, he went to the 14th floor for an entertainment feature, where he began acting improperly.

“Hey chicks, sue me!” Simmons said while pulling open his velvet shirt to expose his chest and stomach, according to The Daily Beast.

He also allegedly touched a number of employees while telling jokes about pedophilia. The touching included knocking on their heads to mock their intelligence.

Simmons, 68, who appeared on Fox News and Fox Business occasionally as a guest, was “banned from all Fox properties permanently,” per The Daily Beast.

The Israeli-born rocker, whose real name is Chaim Witz, immigrated to the U.S. in 1957.

KISS was formed in the mid-70s and scored several major hits, including “I Wanna Rock-n-Roll All Night.” The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.