Gene Simmons

[Funkster]

You've got something stuck in your eye there.

 

[Funkster]

It's amazing the things people say and quote ('chinese whispers' anyone?!?) on the Internet and swear it to be fact....

Well, here are some corrections for you all...

Gene does NOT have a cow's tongue and has not had any kind of lengthening surgery (including severing of the frenulum).

Carole Kaye did NOT play Gene's bass parts. Gene played most of them but on occasion he turned the job over to someone else, usually due to the desires of the songwriter....i.e Ace often liked to play bass on his songs and occasionally Paul felt the same (Love Gun). Sometimes friends & co-writers had a better feel for the song concerned e.g. Jean Beauvoir, Bob Ezrin.... but 90% were PLAYED BY GENE!

Gene did NOT have a ghost bass player live...


IMO, Gene played what was right for the song in each case and was/is a very solid bassist. He isn't a virtuoso but then that wouldn't have been right for KISS. Just because someone doesn't slap and tap at a million miles per hour or play fifty notes when one note could have been more effective does NOT make that person a bad bassist. Many of Gene's parts are based on classic Motown and McCartney style lines and melodically guide the song while retaining the kick and snare groove.

And surely noone can honestly say that there is anything wrong with Motown and McCartney basslines.....

Makes perfect sense to me,, Someone who's done there Gene homework. Great Post!

 

[Atshen]

Carole Kaye did NOT play Gene's bass parts.

That's an inside joke here at TB which took its roots in the Carol Kaye thread, about her claims that she had played on some Motown tracks that were credited to James Jamerson.

Great post BTW, buddy. I'm glad to learn that Gene played on most of KISS' tracks. I think his lines suit the songs pretty well.

 

[cetera]

Thanks Dave & Henry

 

[supermonkey]

+1, cetera. Set the record straight.

 

[Spanky]

Not quite. They were essentially bankrupt in the mid-90s before they put the makeup back on to do the neverending farewell tour.

As for Gene's business prowess - it's another misconception. Almost anything he's done - from his label, the bands he's produced, magazine - has failed. The ideas behind KISS were not his. In fact his ideas in part sank the band.

Read "KISS and $ell", writen by their business manager from the glory years through their delcine to learn about the reality of big rock'n'roll business from the business side. It's also a great book for KISS fans, or fans of rock biographies in general. It isn't a dry business book - it's got its share of road stories, etc.

He had more money while being bankrupt than Ill probably ever see at one time...hahaha, plus he was genius enough to shack up with Cher wasnt he? Alright then. I rest my case.

 

[Spanky]

Unfortunately, I thought that would apply to other appendages as well, but I can tell you from personal experience, it doesn't!

Hoo-ha!

LMAO!!

I dont think that part of us, medically speaking, is considered a muscle. But, alas, youre right...it never worked for me either! Hahahahaha!