Gene Simmons and the horns

[Fender_Bender]

one of the MAJOR asswipes in all of show biz.

He'd sell his family into slavery for a buck.

 

[klokker]

I'm pretty sure you like stuff that mystifies others too.

Well, you can be more than pretty sure. My avatar would be a great example.

 

[ONYX]

He'd sell his family into slavery for a buck.

He kinda did that with the "Family Jewels" thing.....


I read his book "KISS and Make Up" when it came out ( 2 days of my life wasted that I'll never get back). It gives one the distinct impression that KISS was only ever conceived as a money generating machine and a marketing colossus ( at least from his point of view), and the music was only secondary.

This latest move by Mr. B.S Moneygrab himself should surprise no one.

 

[Sixgunn]

It gives one the distinct impression that KISS was only ever conceived as a money generating machine and a marketing colossus ( at least from his point of view), and the music was only secondary.

Good grief! Like it or not, money is the primary reason most people get out of bed in the morning. He set out to be hugely successful and that's exactly what he did. I tip my hat to him. There are literally MILLIONS of people who would do the same thing. Is he a perfect angel? No. Let he who is without sin.....

Welcome to free market capitalism.

P.S. They DID make some pretty damn good music and were a huge, positive influence on lot's of musicians of whom, some are quite famous and respected.

 

[jwilson67]

So "musicians" don't do anything flamboyant?

Oh jeez...

OK, look - he doesn't play a bass solo with notes in it because he can't. KISS has always been about entertainment value. That is true. Yes, there have been flamboyant entertainers who are also absolute masters of their respective instrument (cue Elton John tune). Gene just isn't one of them.

As an actual band, KISS were horribly average at best. I've listened to some of their live recordings from the 70's and if they were unknown, without makeup, playing at a club today everyone in the crowd would be saying they sucked. Guarantee it.

 

[Topkat13]

If there is someone out there willing to shell out $ then so what...as far as his integrity on all that BS I got my own garden to keep hoed!

 

[AltGrendel]

It's just another way to get his name out there.

There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde

Meh.

 

[jwilson67]

It's just another way to get his name out there.

There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde

Meh.

Nailed it!

 

[NoiseNinja]

Can a farewell tour announcement be far off?

It worked for Frank Sinatra at least, several times.

 

[Sixgunn]

Oh jeez...

OK, look - he doesn't play a bass solo with notes in it because he can't. KISS has always been about entertainment value. That is true. Yes, there have been flamboyant entertainers who are also absolute masters of their respective instrument (cue Elton John tune). Gene just isn't one of them.

As an actual band, KISS were horribly average at best. I've listened to some of their live recordings from the 70's and if they were unknown, without makeup, playing at a club today everyone in the crowd would be saying they sucked. Guarantee it.

You don't know what he can or can't do. He did what was apropos
and there's genius behind that whether you agree or not. 99.9999% of music is for entertainment value and saying they were mediocre is totally myopic. They were the best there was in THEIR market. Geddy Lee is mediocre compared to Victor Wooten. Sid Vicious is mediocre compared to Gene Simmons. Hendrix was mediocre compared to Steve Vai. Want more examples? There are quite a few "icons" that if they came out today wouldn't even pack a local bar. That's an invalid argument.

 

[Sixgunn]

It's just another way to get his name out there.

There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde

Meh.

And ol' Gene knew that back in the 70s and said as much. A smart person doesn't lament talent they don't have. They use talent they DO have.

 

[40Hz]

It worked for Frank Sinatra at least, several times.

Barbara Streisand too. I think she had over 20.

 

[Tanner5382]

Oh jeez...

OK, look - he doesn't play a bass solo with notes in it because he can't. KISS has always been about entertainment value. That is true. Yes, there have been flamboyant entertainers who are also absolute masters of their respective instrument (cue Elton John tune). Gene just isn't one of them.

As an actual band, KISS were horribly average at best. I've listened to some of their live recordings from the 70's and if they were unknown, without makeup, playing at a club today everyone in the crowd would be saying they sucked. Guarantee it.

So this is terrible bass playing, while singing at the same time? Okay.

 

[40Hz]

there's genius behind that whether you agree or not.

Maybe it passes for "genius" in some circles.

But there's also those of us who feel there's a very significant difference between genuine "genius" (in the generally accepted sense of that word) and simple "low cunning."

Mssr. Simmons has demonstrated, on numerous occasions over the years, he posseses the latter in full measure. If he in fact also possesses the former, he's kept it well hidden. Which is odd considering how modesty doesn't seem to be a virtue he holds in very high regard.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

It won't work as all someone else has to do is show prior use. like Dio's and a million others photos. I and most other of the population has never known the devil horns to be a pop cultural item associated with GS anyway. Didn't it start out as some sort of surf symbol in the '50s?

Dio's grandmother told him it was a sign to ward off bad souls with bad intentions.

 

[Sixgunn]

Maybe it passes for "genius" in some circles.

But there's also those of us who feel there's a very significant difference between genuine "genius" (in the generally accepted sense of that word) and simple "low cunning."

Mssr. Simmons has demonstrated, on numerous occasions over the years, he posseses the latter in full measure. If he in fact also possesses the former, he's kept it well hidden. Which is odd considering how modesty doesn't seem to be a virtue he holds in very high regard.

Not perceiving genius does not negate it. Or to put it in lay terms: The proof is in the pudding.

 

[40Hz]

Not perceiving genius does not negate it. Or to put it in lay terms: The proof is in the pudding.

By the same token, perceiving non-existent genius doesn't create it either. Or in lay terms: Wishing it were true doesn't make it true.

As for "proof" I only see commercial success, which is something low cunning is often adept at bringing about - no genius required. However, I personally see nothing of artistic significance or lasting value in anything the band Kiss ever produced. They're a self-confessed parody of a metal band, and serve as Mr. Simmons' personal diss on the rock world - a world (IMO) he lacked the talent to ever legitimately enter.

If somebody admires Kiss and Gene Simmons, that's fine. But whatever he's admired for, it certainly can't be called genius.

Or so I think anyway.

But that's me. I'm sure the people that so loyally and generously lined the band's coffers and Gene Simmon's pockets over the years will see things differently.

I'm good with that.

 

[Tanner5382]

By the same token, perceiving non-existent genius doesn't create it either. Or in lay terms: Wishing it were true doesn't make it true.

As for "proof" I only see commercial success, which is something low cunning is often adept at bringing about - no genius required. However, I personally see nothing of artistic significance or lasting value in anything the band Kiss ever produced. They're a self-confessed parody of a metal band, and serve as Mr. Simmons' personal diss on the rock world - a world (IMO) he lacked the talent to ever legitimately enter.

If somebody admires Kiss and Gene Simmons, that's fine. But whatever he's admired for, it certainly can't be called genius.

Or so I think anyway.

But that's me. I'm sure the people that so loyally and generously lined the band's coffers and Gene Simmon's pockets over the years will see things differently.

I'm good with that.

When did they ever confess they are a parody of a metal band? They aren't even metal at all. Obviously, he has the talent to enter the rock world, as he's been playing the biggest stages in the world since the 70s. You don't sell millions of albums based only on your stage show.

As for the last part about people who "loyally and generously" giving the band money over the years seeing things different, that's a bit passive aggressive, eh? We are blinded by fanboyism and money spent? Gimme a break. They're not even in my top favorite bands. I just enjoy the band's material up until '78, and when people say he can't play/is talentless, it's just ridiculous and shows a person's ignorance along with probably a good helping of jealousy.

I hate Jaco's music and see nothing genius about it, I don't go dumping on him. But when it's a Gene thread, it's fine for everybody to pile on.

 

[Sixgunn]

By the same token, perceiving non-existent genius doesn't create it either. Or in lay terms: Wishing it were true doesn't make it true.

As for "proof" I only see commercial success, which is something low cunning is often adept at bringing about - no genius required. However, I personally see nothing of artistic significance or lasting value in anything the band Kiss ever produced. They're a self-confessed parody of a metal band, and serve as Mr. Simmons' personal diss on the rock world - a world (IMO) he lacked the talent to ever legitimately enter.

If somebody admires Kiss and Gene Simmons, that's fine. But whatever he's admired for, it certainly can't be called genius.

Or so I think anyway.

But that's me. I'm sure the people that so loyally and generously lined the band's coffers and Gene Simmon's pockets over the years will see things differently.

I'm good with that.

You are correct. Neither of us will ever know whether it was genius or not. The proof is really only relevant to him and his. I'm not a fan boy but I try to call 'em as I see 'em and what I see is the KISS legacy will be known for a VERY long time due to their brand of "talent". Parody or not.

 

[jwilson67]

So this is terrible bass playing, while singing at the same time? Okay.

OK - Yes, that was good. I think the point is that if Gene hadn't done so many things to make himself annoying the disparaging remarks wouldn't be heaped on him. That being said, it is a free market to do whatever you want so whatever. I guess do anything you want to do.