VIDEO: Sal Governale Cries While Spending the Day With KISS Legend Gene Simmons
“Is that how you got the Stern gig? Crying?” the rocker asks the staffer
June 26, 2025
If KISS superstar Gene Simmons thought rocking & rolling all night and partying all day was exhausting, just wait until he gets a load of Stern Show staffer Sal Governale.
Sal, a lifelong KISS superfan, recently spent a full day with Gene, the band’s bassist and co-lead singer, following the opening of the rocker’s KISS World Museum in Las Vegas. For Sal, it was a dream come true. For Gene, it may have been a nightmare.
I’m getting emotional right now. It’s crazy,” Sal said before even meeting up with Gene. “It’s going to be a big day.”
When the staffer and the rocker finally did meet, Gene was quick to question Sal’s choice of wearing a bootleg KISS t-shirt. Then they went to breakfast — and Sal started choking and coughing.
“What’s going on?” Gene asked, not sure if Sal’s fit was some sort of bit.
Later, while getting a tour of Gene’s memorabilia-filled KISS museum, Sal boasted about his own collection. “I have the original KISS dolls,” he said.
“Action figures,” Simmons corrected. “Girls get dolls. We get action figures.”
Sal, a former stockbroker, also pitched the rocker on several KISS-themed merchandising opportunities. “I call this idea head from the Demon head,” Sal beamed, showing Gene a replica of his own head in the “Demon” costume, complete with a long, protruding tongue. “Now, every woman can experience getting licked by Gene Simmons.”
Simmons was intrigued. “That is seriously a good idea,” he said.
But Howard couldn’t believe how Sal had used his time with his idol: “That’s what you talked to Gene Simmons about?”
“Did you ever think, ‘Why don’t I just be normal and talk to Gene?’” co-host Robin Quivers added.
At the end of their day together, Sal again grew emotional and began crying in front of his idol. “I just wanted to say, Gene, that you changed my life,” the staffer sobbed. “I’m so grateful for you, I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and just thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Is that how you got the Stern gig? Crying?” Gene replied.
See more of Sal and Gene’s day together (above).
