NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — When you're at the grocery store on a Sunday, the last thing you think will happen is a surprise visit from rock legend Gene Simmons, but that's what happened for one father-son duo.
"I couldn't believe it..it was shock, I mean I saw him, but I've never met him," said Wayne Altemoos.
They won a contest put on by Tops Friendly Markets, in celebration of Gene Simmons' soda company, MoneyBag Sodas, selling its one-millionth bottle.
The prize for winning is a plaque, signed by Simmons. They thought they were stopping by the store to pick it up.
"They talked about the plaque of course and taking pictures, I wasn't thinking we were actually gonna meet Gene Simmons," said Austin Altemoos.
Austin got to share a toast with Simmons.
I guess there’s a new @wkbw reporter in town 🤷♂️
— Derek Heid (@DerekHeid) August 18, 2024
Gene Simmons borrowed my microphone and took over my job after surprising fans at a Tops in Niagara Falls 🎤
Thanks for help @genesimmons pic.twitter.com/fkI9Lmu6c0
It was a busy day for the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer, who also received a key to the city from Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and got a street named Gene Simmons Boulevard in his honor.
His sodas are manufactured at Rock Steady Sodas, Inc., a family-owned soda manufacturing company based in Niagara Falls.
"This music, it still survives and it's still going," said Altemoos. "Doing it with local companies, I love it, it was great to see him."
