Gene Simmons Hosts Annual Weldbend / IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Gene Simmons hosted the annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at The Bellagio in Las Vegas on September 15, 2011 (Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com).
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
For over 60 years, Weldbend has produced carbon steel fittings and flanges. Their annual breakfast is held during the ASA Convention (American Supply Association Convention). Gene Simmons founded Kiss almost 40 years ago… the event was appropriately coined, The Two Biggest names in Heavy Metal.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Simmons arrived and to get things going he shared a short film about his favorite subject, Gene Simmons. He then spoke to the crowd about the importance of American ingenuity and that we need to stay in front producing quality products. He praised the Coulas family who are behind the Weldbend Brand and used them as an example of a great American Company producing quality products and standing behind them.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Simmons took questions from the audience and gave out signed coffee mugs. He was asked what his major influences were for his music and he went on to say he is more influenced by people like Albert Einstein or Warren Buffet than other musicians but most of all, he looks for his inspiration from his mother.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Simmons also spoke about his upcoming marriage to longtime partner Shannon Tweed and how they will record the wedding for his television A&E show, Gene Simmons: Family Jewels and he noted… “Never leave an opportunity untouched”.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Simmons also shared with the crowd the story of how he invented the ‘Sign Of The Horns’ Rock and Roll Hand gesture based on the necessity to tuck his bass guitar pic in his hand when waiving to the crowd. He said everyone in the crowd was gesturing back to him with their fingers tucked and it was really an accident that took on a life of it’s own. The hand gesture along with his extended tongue has become a universal rock and roll sign around the world.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons hosts Annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at Bellagio in Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.