I know most don't like Gene Simmons.

[Thundar]

if you mean influential on kids wanting to pick up instruments, then, yeah, I'd agree.

(add): But by influential I mean having a big musical impact.

Man I can't even get ready for this...I have to wonder if you slept through the 80's and 90's? They may not have had a big musical impact on you, but they undoubtedly had a HUGE musical impact on the hard rock and heavy metal community...now this may not have been YOUR cup 'o tea, but that doesn't change the fact that many musicians were influenced by them, their music, their playing (yeah I said it), and their show. As for your comment about him not being a great bass player....again, your opinion...

And you might have missed this:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_My_Ass

Where's YOUR tribute Cd?

 

[HolmeBass]

honestly, i don't know. gene may not be the world's greatest bassist but he ain't bad at all. however, i think maybe cliff gets a little more acceptance because he's so dead-on perfect with his timing and has the discipline of a tibetan monk.

Cliff certainly has discipline! But he's not a full-fledged member of the band, I mean he is, but he's not an original member and the Young Bros. have always fired whomever they didn't like. Gene was a full-fledged founding member of KISS, no one could tell 'just straight eighth notes' and do another take. Maybe no one ever has to say that to Cliff, either, but if it ever did need to be said, I'm sure Angus could and would and Cliff would have to listen- or get fired. Or beat up and then fired. No one is going to fire Gene from KISS.

But Cliff is steady and rocking, can't argue with the vibe Cliff puts down. AC/DC's pocket is as simple as a strong left jab but pure gold, or should I say, platinum. KISS has a more pop-oriented groove in my opinion, and that's at least partly due to Gene's playing.

 

[almost human]

I think Gene played bass parts that worked in the context of the songs he (and the other members of KISS) wrote, and that's what matters most. I don't think he's a great player, but i do think he's good.
And i think he's written some great songs over the years. Those of you unfamiliar with his first solo album from 1979 might want to check it out- you might be surprised (just avoid the cover of "When You Wish Upon A Star" )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bJ31tejeAM

 

[Billy Low]

Nope. McCartney , Jamerson, Rainy -- all greats -- never did any of that stuff.

To be honest, Kiss's music isn't particularly rhythmic or melodic. It's basic wank rock and roll. Mostly 8th notes with the bass following the guitar. A couple of tunes have a decent hook. They're a show. Little more. And they know it. Gene plays the parts. Decently. And that's it.

Never been impressed with McCartney. Never impressed me. I still don't believe that the Beatles recorded all of there own music. Ringo's poor drumming live proves that there has to be someone else playing on quite a few of thse songs! LOL!

 

[GregC]

What I find really amazing though, is that if I were to start a thread each week about one of the TB "elite" bassists such as Geddy, Jaco, etc, I wouldn't be called a troll. Odd, isn't it??

If you or anyone else started threads about any other bassist as often as you do about Gene--yes, there would be people rolling their eyes or expressing annoyance.

To me Gene is punk. If you adhear to the belief that punk is DIY, stick to your beliefs and screw whether or not people approve of you or not, Gene is as punk as they get.

LOL, the guy who has and will sell absolutely everything connected to him is punk? Now I've heard everything.

 

[GregC]

I find the personality and character of Gene Simmons on stage and off) to be smarmy and annoying and arrogant

Why doesn't Gene at least get the Cliff level of acceptance?

I believe the main reason is what I quoted above.

KISS rocks harder in their '60s than most new "rock" bands. Ignore them if you hate it. I don't think they give a ratz azz. I love the egos, the show, the songs. I can listen to the first 7 or so "records" today and they still rock hard. If you are a rock player and you don't like "Alive" or "Destroyer", then you don't rock too hard. My opinion isn't humble. It's a fact.

"I love this artist and if you don't, you suck!" OK, sure.

 

[Tampabass]

Man I can't even get ready for this...I have to wonder if you slept through the 80's and 90's? They may not have had a big musical impact on you, but they undoubtedly had a HUGE musical impact on the hard rock and heavy metal community...now this may not have been YOUR cup 'o tea, but that doesn't change the fact that many musicians were influenced by them, their music, their playing (yeah I said it), and their show. As for your comment about him not being a great bass player....again, your opinion...

And you might have missed this:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_My_Ass

Where's YOUR tribute Cd?

It came out last year. Where's YOURS?

 

[Thundar]

It came out last year. Where's YOURS?

Your TRIBUTE Cd came out last year? Showcasing the bands that were inspired and influenced by your band over the last 20+ years?

 

[Tampabass]

ask a silly question, get a silly answer. What made you think the discussion was Gene vs Me, anyway?

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

My Blackberry is going off like crazy with updates from this thread. It delivers!

KISS was/is always a with 'em or against 'em type of a band.

 

[Thundar]

ask a silly question, get a silly answer. What made you think the discussion was Gene vs Me, anyway?

Not silly...and I dont think its Gene vs You at all...if you did have a tribute Cd I would be damn impressed and would have egg on my face...LOL.. my point was that they were very influential to many, including those that performed on that Cd. And if you were so inclined, you could trace back a long list of musicians, famous and not famous, that cite KISS as a big influence. Everyone is welcome to their opinion on Gene's bass playing ability, I happen to love it...I love Geddy too, JPJ, Entwhistle, and a list of others.
He may not be as highly regarded as those we hold on such a high pedestal...but that doesn't mean he isn't a great bass player...just not YOUR idea of great....I will concede that he is obviously not a technical master...LOL...but do any of us REALLY know how good he is? Really? Just because he did not show off his chops, does not slap, and plays what he thinks fits in the song? I think all of us here on TB sometimes forget that we are but a very small portion of the musical world...the world that made KISS a multi-platinum selling band many times over, and they still have a career and huge following after more than 30 years.
And if you did have a tribute Cd, I wouldve taken that statement about KISS not having a big musical influence a lot better.
I meant no harm, my bass playing brother....you are obviously a great bass player yourself.

 

[pnut166]

I think the whole "anti - gene" thing (sounds like a medical term ) stems from the premise that talent = money, and that somehow Gene is a cheat because he is far richer than many better bassists. I`m totally neutral on Gene - I don`t like or dislike him, and honestly never listened to much KISS. But if he became a gazillionaire by thumping out root notes, more power to him !

 

[THand]

If you or anyone else started threads about any other bassist as often as you do about Gene--yes, there would be people rolling their eyes or expressing annoyance.

LOL, the guy who has and will sell absolutely everything connected to him is punk? Now I've heard everything.

Joe Strummer once said he would love to have made the money Simmons has. I'd bet johnny Rotten wouldn't mind being able to merchandise like Gene, and judging by some Ramones products I've seen I'd bet the last Ramone would be happy to sell more products too.

 

[Tampabass]

If you wanna believe that Gene is one of the world's greatest bass players, then I shall not stand in your way. Believe!

 

[Thundar]

If you wanna believe that Gene is one of the world's greatest bass players, then I shall not stand in your way. Believe!

You and I both know that is not what I said, or what you originally said....and my issue was with you claiming they were not musically influential.
That is all.

 

[JimmyM]

I think the whole "anti - gene" thing (sounds like a medical term ) stems from the premise that talent = money, and that somehow Gene is a cheat because he is far richer than many better bassists. I`m totally neutral on Gene - I don`t like or dislike him, and honestly never listened to much KISS. But if he became a gazillionaire by thumping out root notes, more power to him !

i'm down with that opinion. but honestly, it's a mischaracterization to say that he just thumps out roots. he has now and then, but he also does a lot of crazy walking basslines and counterpoint to what everyone else does as well.

 

[GregC]

Joe Strummer once said he would love to have made the money Simmons has. I'd bet johnny Rotten wouldn't mind being able to merchandise like Gene, and judging by some Ramones products I've seen I'd bet the last Ramone would be happy to sell more products too.

Sure, Joe wanted the money (just about everyone would like however much it is), but there were obviously a lot of things he wasn't willing to do to get it. Just as an example, the Clash never reformed, though I'm sure they got some pretty sweet offers to do so. And Joe's solo work wasn't Clash-like at all, for the most part. I'm not saying reforming a band is inherently bad (I was glad the Pixies did it so I could properly see them live, and so they could finally make decent money off their music), just showing why Strummer fits my definition of "punk" much, much better than Simmons.

Johnny's been all over the place through time, from willfully avoiding the Pistols' legacy (through PiL) to trading on it quite a bit. I'll always love the Ramones, but they definitely embraced their almost cartoon-character image. Neither party will be confused anytime soon with a punk purist like Ian Mackaye.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Would that make him the Madonna of bass?

You are disgracing Madonna. She is more talented than most other female singers. You could call him the Lady Ga-ga of bass.

 

[JimmyM]

lady gaga is way more talented than madonna. madonna sings average and barely plays a little guitar. lady gaga is a really good piano player and sings way better. madonna, however, does dance better...big whoop.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I don't really care about Kiss, but you gotta give 'em their due: They've been playing arena-sized shows for thirty four years, and that's impressive.