The Odd Couple

What do Stephen Hawking, world-renown physicist and expert on gravity, and Gene Simmons, legendary front man for the band KISS, have in common?

Try $75,100. Over the past week, both men have held charity auctions through eBay Giving Works, and in each case, his respective listing closed at $75,100.

Hawking recently listed the opportunity to enjoy a weightless flight aboard The G-Force One. The undisclosed winning bidder and a guest will join Hawking on April 26 for a 90-minute flight. Departing the Kennedy Space Center, the flight makes a controlled ascent and descent, allowing passengers to experience the gravity of Mars (1/3 that of earth), the moon (1/6 gravity) and zero-G space. The charity auction benefited the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation.

Simmons and girlfriend Shannon Tweed auctioned off a chance for a lucky bidder and three guests to have a VIP dinner in Los Angeles on May 19, including the flight, limo service, fine wine, champagne, and a rare signed Collector's Edition DVD set of Gene Simmons Family Jewels that airs on A&E. The charity auction benefited the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Both listings were managed by AuctionCause.


Tags: Stephen Hawking, Gene Simmons, KISS, charity auctions