PODKISST NEWS – The Road to the Vault Experience
CHRISTINE CARLSON WOLFE·
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

When the Gene Simmons Vault was announced in the Fall of 2017, PodKISSt listener Andrew Jacobs asked a question on the show’s Facebook page: “Ken, will you be reviewing the new box set?” Given the cost and the possibility of it happening, Ken shrugged it off. But his listeners and friends did not. Christine Wolfe, in true KISS fashion, did more than talk about something; she DID it – Christine started a GoFundMe campaign to “Get A Vault for the Podfather,”and she set about promoting it to friends and listeners of Ken’s podcasts.
Ken has always contributed to and promoted charities and people who need help, be it fighting childhood cancer, replacing a car for someone in dire straits, raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House, shining a light on efforts to aid flood victims in WV, or assisting with rising medical bills for someone without adequate insurance.
“Ken’s sense of community, kindness, and generosity really inspired me,” said Christine. “Ken often uses the saying, ‘If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot,’ she continued, So, adopting that philosophy, I turned to GoFundMe, the world’s largest social fundraising platform, and launched a campaign. I wanted to facilitate a thank you from his friends and listeners for his providing over 600 hours of podcasting entertainment and a lifetime of friendship.”
Soon, contributions were coming in from around the world. But there were not only financial contributions. Folks donated items to be rewarded as incentives for giving; a common feature of GoFundMe campaigns. Out of the nearly 100 people that donated, there were a few that might surprise you. When he learned he had the chance to put a smile on Ken’s face, Peter Tork of the Monkees, and his team jumped in right away and donated signed merchandise; Jodi Ritzen, the force behind Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz’s meet and greets and merchandise distribution, donated a Nesmith-signed action figure and an autographed photo of Dolenz; There were contributions from radio personalities, stand-up comedians, TV writers and producers, RHINO record execs, actors and musicians.
“To say I was humbled is putting it mildly,” exclaimed Ken.
Ken is a lifelong member of the KISS Army, becoming a fan back in the early 70s. And he has never truly wavered from his dedication to the band, either. In addition to hosting PodKISSt, the longest-running KISS podcast which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, Ken also hosts shows about Cheap Trick, The Monkees, and pop culture. He aims to use his voice across all platforms much in the same way KISS has used theirs throughout their careers.
“A lot of people say Gene Simmons has no heart,” Ken stated. “But I see many examples of his kindness, generosity, and charitable works.” In fact, through the years, Gene has worked with a wide variety of foundations and causes, including pediatric AIDS, MS, cancer research, education, pediatric reconstructive surgery, Children Matter, Wounded Warriers, and more.
Ken explained further, “Back in the 70s, KISS taught me that it was important to be myself.” He often sites a 1978 interview that Gene gave to PM Magazine and which aired on WJW Channel 8 out of Cleveland . When asked if he had any last minute crazy things to say to conform with expectations, Gene paused, then replied, “No. But I will say something to anybody out there that’s, you know, the weird guy or the weird girl that always has the weird things that they do that their friends put them down for: Don’t think that you’re so weird. Maybe someday someone will give you the chance to make a living out of it. You just stick to it. You be weird.”
“It was like he was looking through the TV, speaking only to 15-year-old me,” said Ken, “and I knew I didn’t need to be anyone but me. I can never thank him enough for that message.”
But Ken is hoping to get the chance to try at the Vault Experience in St. Louis later this month.
As the date of the Vault Experience has drawn closer, there’s been a snag – Ken was recently hospitalized and he was concerned that he might miss the date that so many had worked to make happen for him. His podcast partners set up a hotline, and they and many friends recorded get well messages that his show partners then put together into two special podcast tribute episodes. They included messages from Peter Tork, Phil Shouse and Jeremy Asbrock from the Gene Simmons Band, Bruce Kulick, Marty Ross and Dino Kovas from The New Monkees, and one powerful and attractive man in particular – Gene Simmons himself – who had this to say to encourage Ken: “Hi, Ken. Gene Simmons calling. Hey listen, everybody in your town tells me you’re torturing the nurses in the hospital over there. And I just wanted to call you and tell you what a powerful and attractive man you are. Everybody says you’re cool beyond cool and we send you our best wishes and want you to get out of there. Here’s to a speedy recovery. Come out and join the rest of us in the big wide world, ok? Stay well, be happy.”
“The overwhelming outpouring of love and support has motivated me to do whatever I have to to heal and make it to St. Louis on February 24,” vowed Ken. “And I promise that I will continue to pay love forward every opportunity I can. After all, love is understanding, and love is all we need, because we are one.”
You can order the Gene Simmons Vault Experience for yourself at www.genesimmonsvault.com

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