Kiss star Gene Simmons has blamed internet downloads for destroying the music industry - insisting there will never be any more legendary bands like The Beatles. The 58-year-old rocker is convinced illegal downloading has forced record labels to conform to a new way of working that will eventually put them all out of business.

Simmons, who is known for his entrepreneurial skills, insists there is now less opportunity for talented new bands to find recognition because the internet is swamped with wannabes. He says, "The very same people that love the music the most have slit its throat and they're surprised it's dying.'How come my new band can't get a shot?' 'Because you killed it, bitch.'

"Every day college kids who probably love music more than anybody are the same people slashing the record industry's throat by file sharing and downloading. It's the saddest thing for new bands. Doesn't affect me or Kiss. We can continue to play stadiums and do very well, and we release DVDs. But there isn't a chance for a new band to become the next Beatles or Kiss because there isn't the infrastructure to do it."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

I lost a lot of respect for Gene for saying KISS will never record again because some kid might download it for free. He is so greedy it's not even funny.

The thing I find hilarious about it all is that Paul Stanley is really the glue that has held Kiss together for 30+ years, but Gene takes all the credit. Pick up a Greatest Hits album, and most of the songs are Paul songs, and Beth :lol:

I think Gene has always been full of himself. :rolleyes: I love the way David Lee Roth talks about Gene in his autobiography, Crazy From the Heat. :lol:

you'd think DLR and Gene would be best friends with those egos :lol:

you'd think DLR and Gene would be best friends with those egos :lol:

:lol:

I lost a lot of respect for Gene for saying KISS will never record again because some kid might download it for free. He is so greedy it's not even funny.
The article just quoted Gene as saying that KISS will release DVDs. If you read the article, he makes sense, and he's not the first artist to take this stance and make the same argument. Downloading doesn't affect KISS and the established bands, but bands trying to get off the ground.

The article just quoted Gene as saying that KISS will release DVDs. If you read the article, he makes sense, and he's not the first artist to take this stance and make the same argument. Downloading doesn't affect KISS and the established bands, but bands trying to get off the ground.
it wasn't in this article, but another one I read. Gene said that with downloaded music, he doesn't plan on doing another KISS album because of the thought of someone downloading it. Depriving legions of loyal fans because a few people who wouldn't have bought it anyways download it. Thankfully Paul Stanley has been doing the solo thing now tho he still tours with KISS, because unlike Gene, he still loves making music and pleasing the fans despite the potential that people might download it.

Well, in this article, he states he'll release DVDs, and this article is recent. I'm not going to go on a tear against a person for not doing something, and I'm reading the opposite.

well, DVD's are more profitable than CD's right now, especially considering KISS are raiding their vaults and making 30 year old concerts commercially available for the first time. To go back into the studio wouldn't be as profitable since most people generally consider KISS to be past their prime musically. The DVD's are easy to sell since people still love the classic material and love to finally own all the old concerts and the sort, a new album wouldn't be quite as easy to sell since a lot of people think they stopped making relevant music before they put their makeup back on and reunited with Ace and Peter.

These guys are older. Not just KISS, but most bands, just want to relax and enjoy their grandkids. Not everyone is like The Rolling Stones, who I believe, plan on performing until they're 112, lol.

I think The Stones are the perfect example of a band that's still around, but when they put a new cd out, nobody cares to buy it, but fans will still buy tickets to see them and will buy classic material, just don't care to hear anything current. KISS is in that same situation, and I think Simmons realizes that since he knows there's more money to be made revisiting 1974-1983 on than putting out a new CD. However, I think it does show how different him and Stanley are, since Stanley is releasing solo albums and still loves recording even if it won't sell anything compared to 30 years ago.

I admit that I also didn't care for Gene's alleged treatment of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley when they returned to the fold (both guys have since left), and apparently he kicked Eric Carr out of the band when he was dying of cancer. I always liked Paul better, since he's always had a great reputation of being good to the fans and trying to keep the peace inside the band.

its bands like KISS, all special effects, makeup and screeching guitars, that ruined rock & Roll in the first place, not d/l music

However, I think it does show how different him and Stanley are, since Stanley is releasing solo albums and still loves recording even if it won't sell anything compared to 30 years ago.
I admit that I also didn't care for Gene's alleged treatment of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley when they returned to the fold (both guys have since left), and apparently he kicked Eric Carr out of the band when he was dying of cancer. I always liked Paul better, since he's always had a great reputation of being good to the fans and trying to keep the peace inside the band.
So, he doesn't do what Stanley does. Big deal. He's his own man, makes his own decisions.

I remember reading that one of the band members was too sick to play in the band anymore, so how do you get that he was kicked out. If a person is terminal with cancer, how can they play in a band?

You seem hell bent on ripping on Gene and blaming him for everything. Can't imagine why. I think he's a kick, whenever I see him on interviews. The majority of rock stars and bands have their controversies. Members leave, come back, whatever. It's a rarity to find a band with all the original members. Simmons did something right. He's been in the business for probably 35 years now, and has made some fantastic music.

its bands like KISS, all special effects, makeup and screeching guitars, that ruined rock & Roll in the first place, not d/l music
Good point. KISS destroyed Rock & Roll. Someone get Rolling Stone magazine on the phone. Stop the presses. :lol:

According to imdb, and I don't know how reliable they are, here's what I got on Gene Simmons, in the quote section.

http://imdb.com/name/nm0005430/bio

Has never drank alcohol, used drugs or smoked.

He has one non-negotiable condition for anyone interested in signing with his record label Simmons Records: No Drugs.

[on the dismissal of his KISS band-mates Peter Criss (http://imdb.com/name/nm0188028/) and Ace Frehley (http://imdb.com/name/nm0293719/) in the early 1980s] They were let go for being into alcohol and worse drugs (http://imdb.com/SearchBios?drugs), pure and simple. I love both those guys to death. But I didn't want them to die on tour.

its bands like KISS, all special effects, makeup and screeching guitars, that ruined rock & Roll in the first place, not d/l musicKISS "ruined" rock and roll with screeching guitars???!!!
:eek: :confused: Gee, I guess Jim Marshall of the famous British amp company, the guys at Gibson Guitar Company, and DiMarzio Pickups should have quit while they were ahead in the 70's. Didn't Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley realize that Bread, Little River Band, AND Starland Vocal Band were the TRUE Gods of Thunder??

Wow, cranking one's guitar up to 11 on Marshall stacks to be heard into the next county is the "death" of rock and roll. Creating stadium-shaking anthems
with dudes flicking their Bics while shouting it out loud is the final pen-stroke in the obituary of rock. Goodbye rock, hello disco. May I recommend watching 'Detroit Rock City', a killer comedy that will set anyone straight about one of the greatest bands of all time. :rock:

And another thing: CRANK IT UP!!!!! :guitar:

So, he doesn't do what Stanley does. Big deal. He's his own man, makes his own decisions.

I remember reading that one of the band members was too sick to play in the band anymore, so how do you get that he was kicked out. If a person is terminal with cancer, how can they play in a band?

You seem hell bent on ripping on Gene and blaming him for everything. Can't imagine why. I think he's a kick, whenever I see him on interviews. The majority of rock stars and bands have their controversies. Members leave, come back, whatever. It's a rarity to find a band with all the original members. Simmons did something right. He's been in the business for probably 35 years now, and has made some fantastic music.
Janice, this might shock you as much as it did my sister-in-law (who thought I wouldn't know anything about Ozzy because she figured I wouldn't know anything about anyone who isn't a diva), but I have been a huge KISS fan since the Revenge album came out. I think they're one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and it does tick me off when critics and the sort bash them because of "Rock And Roll All Night" because there is so much more to them than that. That said, the more I've read about them, the more unlikable Gene has become. He is bashed left and right on KISS fan boards for his greedy attitude, with the nickname $immon$ and everything. Ace and Peter refuse to even be in the same room with him or work with him again, and from countless fan encounters who've met the band, Gene is a Diana Ross/Barbra Streisand style diva who is nasty to his fans and snubs them while Paul goes out of his way to sign every autograph and shake every hand.

KISS "ruined" rock and roll with screeching guitars???!!!
:eek: :confused: Gee, I guess Jim Marshall of the famous British amp company, the guys at Gibson Guitar Company, and DiMarzio Pickups should have quit while they were ahead in the 70's. Didn't Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley realize that Bread, Little River Band, AND Starland Vocal Band were the TRUE Gods of Thunder??

Wow, cranking one's guitar up to 11 on Marshall stacks to be heard into the next county is the "death" of rock and roll. Creating stadium-shaking anthems
with dudes flicking their Bics while shouting it out loud is the final pen-stroke in the obituary of rock. Goodbye rock, hello disco. May I recommend watching 'Detroit Rock City', a killer comedy that will set anyone straight about one of the greatest bands of all time. :rock:

And another thing: CRANK IT UP!!!!! :guitar:

good post. I agree. I think KISS never truly gets it's due as one of the great rock bands because of their image, they have yet to be inducted in the Hall Of Fame though they've been eligible since 1998. They recorded so many different styles of music, have had so many talented musicians in the past (Ace, Vinnie, Bruce, Carr, Singer, Criss, etc...). Destroyer ranks up with the great albums of all time IMO.

Gene has a point. The internet is killing the music biz.

And it's not just the file sharing thing, people aren't buying whole albums anymore, just the one or two hit songs they want from an artist.

Not too long ago I mentioned to my roommate that I wanted to go out and actually purchase a CD of a particular group, and he looked at me like I had two heads.

;)

These guys are older. Not just KISS, but most bands, just want to relax and enjoy their grandkids. Not everyone is like The Rolling Stones, who I believe, plan on performing until they're 112, lol.
:lol:
They look like they are already 112 years old. :rofl:

I was always under the impression that Ace and Peter left because they didn't like the way the music was going. Dynasty was Kiss attempt at disco and Ace was not happy with it at all. He wanted to get back to good ol' rock and roll. Unmasked was next and was Peters last ablum, I think. A couple of good songs but not the Kiss of old. Next, I believe was Music from the Elder. A concept ablum trying to relive the Destroyer greatness. Kiss just seemed to get away from what made them great back in the early 80's. Good ol' hard core rock and roll!

As far as Eric Carr being kicked out of the group, I have bever heard that one at all.

I'm a 31 year veteran of the KISS Army, but Gene really overdoes it sometimes. The truth of the matter is that KISS has been over for a long time: They are strictly a nostalgia act, with two fill-in musicians wearing the makeup of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Gene and Paul will milk KISS performing live until it dries up...and then they'll do it some more.

Part of the problem is the recording industry's inability to adapt to the digital age. So what they do is react rather that be proactive: They go after file sharers and downloaders with lawsuits, further alienating the people who've supported their overpriced endeavors for all these years. Rather than look at ways to make CDs more value added or increase their worth, they are holding onto an outdated business model until they lumber on to extinction.

A few years ago, Cheap Trick had free downloads from an EP (extended play 10" record) issued in the early '80s that was out of print and never issued on CD. You could get all four tracks at their website without having to pay or having to register. So I downloaded them.

Later, when I saw an import CD copy of the EP - I bought it. I think some bands have realized that if you give something to the fans, some of them will actually buy what you're selling. While I'd much rather download Metallica songs for free just because I hated drummer Lars Ulrich's attitude toward downloaders.

BTW, I couldn't care less about Metallica, so I won't be downloading them anytime soon.

I was always under the impression that Ace and Peter left because they didn't like the way the music was going. Dynasty was Kiss attempt at disco and Ace was not happy with it at all. He wanted to get back to good ol' rock and roll. Unmasked was next and was Peters last ablum, I think. A couple of good songs but not the Kiss of old. Next, I believe was Music from the Elder. A concept ablum trying to relive the Destroyer greatness. Kiss just seemed to get away from what made them great back in the early 80's. Good ol' hard core rock and roll!

As far as Eric Carr being kicked out of the group, I have bever heard that one at all.
I personally think Music From The Elder is a very underrated album, but it was probably too artsy and ambitious from what people expected from Kiss, especially since they were nosediving in popularity and sales by the time it came out. There is some great stuff from that album, thankfully they realized what a great song "A World Without Heroes" was and started performing it in the mid-90's, after 15 years of avoiding all things Elder.

But after The Elder, they did Creatures Of The Night, which is probably the heaviest album of their career, and then Lick It Up. If only Vinnie Vincent had stayed in the band longer, those two albums are great IMO.

That said, the more I've read about them, the more unlikable Gene has become. He is bashed left and right on KISS fan boards for his greedy attitude, with the nickname $immon$ and everything. Ace and Peter refuse to even be in the same room with him or work with him again, and from countless fan encounters who've met the band, Gene is a Diana Ross/Barbra Streisand style diva who is nasty to his fans and snubs them while Paul goes out of his way to sign every autograph and shake every hand.
I've found that for every hater, there's at least another fan. Not everyone is going to like everyone. I researched Gene earlier, and came up with a lot of positive sites that are crazy over him. I hear he's very nice to his fans. On his official site, he has over 1,000 letters from fans, most of which he answers. How many artists do that? Hardly the behavior of someone who's snubbing or being nasty to his fans.

If Paul wants to kiss the rings of his fans, good for him. Doesn't mean that Gene or other artists have to do the same. The casual observer of KISS doesn't even know who Paul is anyway. Maybe that's why he's the way he is, who knows. I know I don't who he is, or even care. I think KISS, I think Gene Simmons, and believe me, that's the way it is for most people who are not deep into music. He's a businessman, not an ass kisser. People can say Simmons should do this or that. He doesn't owe anybody a thing, and what I like best about him is that he's the first person to say that. If you're looking for warm and fuzzy, he's not your guy. I think he's a riot, whenever I've seen him on interviews. He's whacked. Like a sober Ozzy Osbourne, and without the brain damage.

http://www.genesimmons.com/fanstories/letters1/index001.html

Gene Simmons is either a love him, hate him, and take it or leave it type of guy. He is a smart businessman. He makes money. He knows money. He feels money. He sees money. That's Gene Simmons for you. Though, what brings me the question is what woman in their right mind would want to sleep with Gene? That guy is ugly as sin and I don't get how the hell Gene slept with thousands of beautiful women to begin with.

Gene Simmons is either a love him, hate him, and take it or leave it type of guy. He is a smart businessman. He makes money. He knows money. He feels money. He sees money. That's Gene Simmons for you. Though, what brings me the question is what woman in their right mind would want to sleep with Gene? That guy is ugly as sin and I don't get how the hell Gene slept with thousands of beautiful women to begin with.

Because he's a rock star. Gene isn't the first ugly rock star to get laid. Rock stars represent power and money. Even Gene acknowledges that he's not the most handsome man and yet, he's had Cher, Diana Ross & Shannon Tweed...among many others.

Gene Simmons is either a love him, hate him, and take it or leave it type of guy. He is a smart businessman. He makes money. He knows money. He feels money. He sees money. That's Gene Simmons for you. Though, what brings me the question is what woman in their right mind would want to sleep with Gene? That guy is ugly as sin and I don't get how the hell Gene slept with thousands of beautiful women to begin with.
Yeah, that's the beauty of rock and roll and heavy metal. We guys are as ugly as all-get-out, and still we draw the chicks when you've got a guitar. I guess when you have a guy like Gene Simmons, who's pretty much invented himself as a legend and icon, women are attracted to that. Another person who fits into that category of the So-who-bloody-cares-if-I-don't-look-like-Brad-Pitt-as-long-as-I-bring-home-the-birds is LEMMY of Motorhead. He's also a rock legend:

In the March 2008 issue of Metal Edge magazine (web site), Rob Zombie paints a bleak picture of the music industry's future, insisting that record labels are "overstuffed, overpaid dinosaurs" who "won't exist" in a few years. Discussing his new album, "Zombie Live", he starts an avalanche of hatred that threatens to roll up the entire interview.

"I think the record labels are dinosaurs waiting to die, and that they're putting themselves out to pasture," he said. "They all have a defeatist attitude. And that's why in another couple of years, they won't exist. The funny thing is, the record labels for years have done thing that's bull****, and that's blame the artists. 'It's the artist's fault.' But it's not the artist's fault. People love music. People have always loved music, people will always love music — people want more music now than they've ever wanted in their lives. Whether it's through Guitar Hero or their iPhone, or anything — people are music-crazy. But the music industry is always blaming the artists: 'Oh, it's not the right single. Oh, it's not the right album. Oh, it's not this, it's not that.' You know what? They're full of ****. They're just overpaid and lazy, and it's all crumbled around them. But the art is not going anywhere. You go out there, and there's more tours than ever, the shows are bigger than ever, the crowds are crazier than ever, the fans are younger than ever; there's no lack of demand for the music or the bands or anything. It's just that the record labels are these overstuffed, overpaid dinosaurs. They're gonna die. The music's not going anywhere."

He continued, "The problem with the record industry is that they've tried to emulate the film business. The film business is very much about the opening weekend — you know, a movie will come out, and they can tell right away. By the end of the first day of release, they'll go 'it's a hit or 'it's a stiff.' They've got it down to a science. With 'Halloween', by the end of opening day, they had told me — the estimates were actually lower than the business it actually did. But right away they can tell you if it's a smash or it's not. But with a record, it used to be that you'd work it. The first WHITE ZOMBIE record we did with Geffen, eventually it went double-platinum. The first single didn't fly, but I knew it was a hit. We kept working it — I made them release 'Thunder Kiss '65' three times. And guess what? By the third time they released it and put some work into it, it was a hit. But now, with this new philosophy — like with the [recently released ROB ZOMBIE] live album, they put it out there, they put, like, five minutes of work into it, and they're, like, 'We're done.' Well, what do you expect? It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. They say 'No one buys CDs,' so they don't bother to sell them."

For more information, visit www.MetalEdgeMag.com.

Though, what brings me the question is what woman in their right mind would want to sleep with Gene? That guy is ugly as sin and I don't get how the hell Gene slept with thousands of beautiful women to begin with.
The guy is no hunk, I agree with you there, but I personally don't find him ugly as sin. His hair leaves a lot to be desired, and begs the question if the guy even owns a mirror, lol. At least he doesn't have a drug and booze wasted face, like many in the music business do. I think he looks good for 58. Personality has a lot to do with it too. Say what you will, many people think Simmons is funny and entertaining, and women like that. I tell my husband that I fell in love with his sense of humor before I fell in love with him. Women love a guy who can make them laugh.

http://www.tvguide.com/images/pgimg/gene-simmons-family-jewels2.jpg

http://www.kissasylum.com/photos/SwordFishSimmons-Tweed.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Gene_Simmons.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/4330/GeneSimmon_Grani_7403301_400.jpg (http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/4330/AliciaKeys_Grani_7403089_400.jpg.html?seq=2)

I see your point.

I see your point.
I liked your post about Simmons and money. Spot on. I don't think that guy ever met a dollar that wasn't his friend, lol.

The guy is no hunk, I agree with you there, but I personally don't find him ugly as sin. His hair leaves a lot to be desired, and begs the question if the guy even owns a mirror, lol. At least he doesn't have a drug and booze wasted face, like many in the music business do. I think he looks good for 58. Personality has a lot to do with it too. Say what you will, many people think Simmons is funny and entertaining, and women like that. I tell my husband that I fell in love with his sense of humor before I fell in love with him. Women love a guy who can make them laugh.
I have to agree with you on that one Janice. My former husband was no looker, but he made me laugh my ass off...:rofl: It was the personality that attracted me. I can't tell you how many times men told him how he got so damn lucky to have me. How absurd. :crazy: It is all abt personality, a sense of humor and what goes on in the mind of a man, first and foremost. Hell, if he is handsome, what a bonus! :D My boyfriend is one good looking man and he makes me laugh so hard.

Gene's hair looks fake, but I think what makes him attractive to some of the ladies in his past was simple: WHO HE WAS. How many of those women he slept with actually wanted a relationship with him? Also, his $$$$$ is also appealing. From what I have seen of him on his reality show, he has a way of talking that keeps me interested in what he has to say. I am sure a lot of women found that attractive. Let's not forget what he may do in the bedroom as well. ;)

I liked your post about Simmons and money. Spot on. I don't think that guy ever met a dollar that wasn't his friend, lol.
True, Gene Simmons was born in Israel in 1949 (real name Chaim Witz). He basically came from nothing, and when he and his mother immigrated to America, he couldn't even speak a word of English. But America was this Land of Golden Opportunity, and he wanted a piece of that dream. It was the land of movie stars and money, a land of plenty. He wanted to put so many miles between his impoverished conditions of his Israeli youth, where he suffered emotional scars from his mother's absence working round the clock. His mother was the only member of her family to have survived the Holocaust, while his father had long abandoned them. His destiny was sealed that night 44 years ago yesterday, when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show--he wanted to pick up a bass after seeing Paul McCartney on that Hofner!! So he spent the next several years trying to break in, and though he went to college to become a school teacher, he left that profession (no money there?) and formed Wicked Lester in the early 70's. From that he decided to form KISS with a definite look that reflected his love for comic books.

Gene Simmons makes no pretenses or apologies for his band basically being about burgers (a pleasing product to sell and make him money) and not high art. Well, the "Music From the Elder" may have been "artsy", a concept album, but it most likely had more to do with something like "Star Wars" than Yes' "Tales From Topographic Oceans".