Don't worry...this is not a thread to debate the merits or the foibles of Gene Simmons. He's fine. Certainly competent for what he needs to do but nothing amazing. I'm sure even Gene would be in agreement with that assessment. So, let's leave that alone. On to my main point...
I see within a lot of those types of threads a major misunderstanding. it's about songwriting. KISS sold millions of records so people assume they must be good songwriters, or in the least ....decent?
Here's the reality. Writing a rock and roll song is relatively easy. It's comparable to a skill such as sketching, or hanging wallpaper. Some people do it better than others and some people can't do it al all. But it's hardly an elite artistic talent. A million guys can do it.
But that's the magic of music. When it's all done in time and in tune and with good sounds, it takes on a power. It moves people. It makes them think it's more than it actually is. And the truth of the matter is, even if you're mediocre -- even if you're LESS than mediocre -- with enough time and effort and experience you can take any old crappy song and do it well enough to elicit that reaction.
Let's face it -- KISS weren't signed for being hitmakers. They had a gimmick that the record company knew would sell. The music is secondary. In their career of 100 or so songs, about five are barely pretty good. (Arguably) At any rate, that ain't that great.
Now of course, the pedestrian response is "Well, YOU do it!" Well, I have. But in the music industry it isn't about ability, it's about having the right product at the right time and being involved with the right people. That's not sour grapes. I've experienced it myself. I was on a TV show for 5 years. Why? I got lucky. Right place/right time. Meanwhile there are guys who can recite Shakespeare who are waiting on tables. I'm not saying I'm not a good actor. But it's still 90% luck.
So there it is. Don't look too much into it. There's talent all over the place. On Youtube. Right here on TB. Next door, upstairs , accros the street. And then there's mediocrity -- on TV. In the movies. On the stage at Madison Square Garden. At the Grammy's.
That's show biz.
I see within a lot of those types of threads a major misunderstanding. it's about songwriting. KISS sold millions of records so people assume they must be good songwriters, or in the least ....decent?
Here's the reality. Writing a rock and roll song is relatively easy. It's comparable to a skill such as sketching, or hanging wallpaper. Some people do it better than others and some people can't do it al all. But it's hardly an elite artistic talent. A million guys can do it.
But that's the magic of music. When it's all done in time and in tune and with good sounds, it takes on a power. It moves people. It makes them think it's more than it actually is. And the truth of the matter is, even if you're mediocre -- even if you're LESS than mediocre -- with enough time and effort and experience you can take any old crappy song and do it well enough to elicit that reaction.
Let's face it -- KISS weren't signed for being hitmakers. They had a gimmick that the record company knew would sell. The music is secondary. In their career of 100 or so songs, about five are barely pretty good. (Arguably) At any rate, that ain't that great.
Now of course, the pedestrian response is "Well, YOU do it!" Well, I have. But in the music industry it isn't about ability, it's about having the right product at the right time and being involved with the right people. That's not sour grapes. I've experienced it myself. I was on a TV show for 5 years. Why? I got lucky. Right place/right time. Meanwhile there are guys who can recite Shakespeare who are waiting on tables. I'm not saying I'm not a good actor. But it's still 90% luck.
So there it is. Don't look too much into it. There's talent all over the place. On Youtube. Right here on TB. Next door, upstairs , accros the street. And then there's mediocrity -- on TV. In the movies. On the stage at Madison Square Garden. At the Grammy's.
That's show biz.
Oh Goodie!
