Fire Breathers

Lore & Background

Within the context of KISS performances, Gene Simmons incorporated fire breathing as a central element of his stage persona, often utilizing it to heighten the entertainment spectacle through the element of danger. While professional fire breathers typically apprentice under seasoned professionals and avoid self-teaching due to extreme risks, Simmons brought this high-stakes skill into the arena rock setting. The act involves creating a precise mist of fuel from the mouth over an open flame. Unlike untrained individuals who often suffer serious injuries while under the influence of alcohol or using incorrect fuels like ethanol or naphtha, professional performers rely on safer combustibles with higher flash points. Simmons' inclusion of this act aligns with the tradition where the danger enhances the show, yet his personal warnings highlight that without proper technique and safety measures—such as a trained assistant with fire blankets—the activity remains perilous.

In Their Own Story

During KISS concerts, Gene Simmons frequently included fire breathing to start off or accentuate the band's shows. The performance relies on the specific technique of misting fuel over an open flame, a method that distinguishes it from other pyrotechnics. While many untrained attempts end in severe burns or even death due to factors like alcohol influence or using dangerous fuels such as methanol which can cause blindness, Simmons' execution is part of a professional show where other fire skills are also performed. The risk remains real; as he noted, if the explosion does not happen correctly, the flame returns to the performer. This mirrors historical precedents like Zoran Žikić of Kerber, who suffered second-degree burns in 1984 while performing under windy conditions and was subsequently forbidden from continuing the stunt by his bandmates.

Reader's Guide

Self-teaching is strongly discouraged due to extreme risks. The vast majority of professionals are taught under conditions that the skills not be passed on until they become recognized performers. Crucially, fuel selection is paramount; one must avoid highly flammable substances like ethanol, which can be absorbed through the skin causing intoxication, or naphtha and gasoline which contain carcinogens and pose high cancer risks. Safer alternatives include paraffin or highly purified lamp oil with a flash point around 90 °C. Safety protocols mandate an actively spotting trained assistant equipped with a fire blanket and extinguisher, a requirement for most professional insurance policies. Even with proper fuel like corn starch, inhalation hazards exist. The consequences of failure are severe, ranging from lipid pneumonia and acute respiratory distress to oral cancer and death.

Did You Know?

• Gene Simmons advised anyone wanting to start fire breathing: "don't. It's not worth it."
• Zoran Žikić of the band Kerber suffered second-degree burns in 1984 performing under windy conditions and was forbidden by his bandmates from continuing.
• Ethanol is dangerous for fire breathing primarily because of its nearly invisible flame and low flash point, making accidental ignition far more likely.
• The world record for the highest flame was set by Antonio Restivo on January 11, 2011, at 8.05 m (26 ft 5 in), though this record has since been broken.
• Using fuels like naphtha entails a high risk of mouth cancer due to its carcinogenic properties.