Gene Simmons, KISS in Portland for benefit

10:10 AM PDT on Friday, September 19, 2008

By FRANK MUNGEAM, Kgw.com

Members of one of rock’s legendary bands visited Portland Thursday night, showing that their hearts are just as big as their reputation.


Video: Gene Simmons, KISS in Portland
Several members of the band KISS appeared on behalf of their friend Jeff Young, who has lived with ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, for nearly 25 years. Young is one of the longest living survivors of the illness.

“This is proof positive that Portland isn't just a nice place to live in, but it actually has nice people,” said Gene Simmons, longtime leader of KISS. “Everybody here has come with big fat wallets full of cash and we're going to relieve them of all that money and actually do some good.”

A support group called "Friends of Jeff" organized the benefit auction, dinner and concert in Lake Oswego.