It's better to be an octopus than a fish. If an octopus loses a tentacle to a predator, the octopus will survive with seven tentacles left for itself. Gene Simmons More Quotes by Gene Simmons More Quotes From Gene Simmons Rock bands are a lot like football teams: If a guy is on drugs and messes up, get someone else who's proud to wear the uniform and be part of the team. Gene Simmons rocks team football Television and comic books are, and continue to be, probably the biggest influence in my life. It's the biggest influence on everybody's life. Gene Simmons influence book television I'm pissed at a nickel because it isn't a dime. Gene Simmons nickels dimes I'm in a weird band. We've done very well. The American Dream is alive and well. Gene Simmons band done dream If you look at the CEOs of some the most successful companies in the world like IKEA, they never fly first class. They always go economy. Gene Simmons ikea successful class I fly economy. I do often fly first class, but I don't travel with a posse, or bodyguard, or an assistant. Gene Simmons assistants class travel My background is full of pain. My mother was in a Nazi concentration camp and our whole family was killed off. Then early on your father leaves and all you've got is your mother, and I was an only child. Then you come to a new country and I can't speak English. Gene Simmons mother country children Fans like their heroes simple. I'm supposed to stick out my tongue twenty-four hours a day and do nothing else. Gene Simmons twenties simple hero You can't rely on anything. At the end of the day, all you have is yourself. Gene Simmons rely the-end-of-the-day ends When you are a rock star in front of 20,000 people, you receive instant gratification. A rock star on tour is a king in his domain. Gene Simmons rocks stars kings I'm from Israel, so America has no limits. I started a record label, and then I started managing other artists, like Liza Minelli. Gene Simmons israel artist america The biggest financial pitfall in life is divorce. And the biggest reason for divorce is marriage. Gene Simmons pitfalls divorce financial I'm aware, as a sane person, that I'm not the best-looking guy in the world. I'm aware of it. But when I go into a party, I will walk out with your girlfriend. Gene Simmons girlfriend party guy Nobody does just one thing. But the real difference between being an entrepreneur and everyone else in the world is the ability to monetize. I am an entrepreneur in the classic mold. Gene Simmons entrepreneur differences real I crave ideas, and when an idea hits me, it grips me and it tortures me until I master it. Gene Simmons torture masters ideas I think I know it all, relatively speaking. Gene Simmons know-it-all knows thinking There is nothing that I would do ever to break my mother's heart. Gene Simmons break mother heart Don't believe bands who say it's all about the fans and they want to give their music away for free. The result is they will continue to live in their mother's basement. Gene Simmons mother giving believe Fame is important, but to be rich is more important. Gene Simmons rich underestimate important People who are qualified are symphonic orchestra players and jazz musicians; they're qualified to do what they do. Rock stars are lucky. It's a combination of right time, right place and having certain genes or a gimmick or whatever, but it's really not anything more than sugar. It tastes good and goes away fast. Gene Simmons rocks stars player