Wisdom on Prince from Gene Simmons

[ihixulu]

I dislike Gene, for his playing (overrated, if he even played on some of the records, and yes I've seen KISS live), his songwriting, and his personality. However, I begrudgingly have to agree with him on this.

The word "pathetic" has developed some meanings that go beyond its original usage. In the true sense of the word it means something closer to pitiful, or being able to elicit sympathy. Prince was clearly suffering from severe joint damage which he could not address surgically due to his religious beliefs. He was in a bad place in terms of pain and trying to address it in a way that made sense to him. For someone who was so talented and such an incredible musician and performer to go out in a whimper, all alone in an elevator, is, well, pathetic and sad. It's not a value judgment on the person but a statement of the emotions their situation raises.

Gene is still a jackass though.

 

[fendermademygibson]

It is tragic that in this day and age that musicians of means die such senseless drug related deaths. I am thinking of Michael Jackson, John Entwistle and now (if true) Prince and so many others.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

My biggest problem with Simmons is that Prince was not a drunken party boy who died trying to have a good time. If he died the way most think, it was the result of trying to deal with a chronic pain condition. As someone who has dealt with back pain for nearly forty years as the result of being knocked off a motorcycle by a car, I know how pain can take over your life. I got control of the back pain through weightlifting and sit-ups, but it never went away. Now I am looking at replacing both of my knees. This pain is much worse, and is really limiting my mobility. I just teach and clean my lawn, I only imagine what went through Prince's mind as he suffered from pain AND lost the ability to entertain the way he once did. I suspect his plan for a solo piano tour was a way to remake himself in light of his pain.

 

[Lo-E]

Autopsy inconclusive, true, but a lot seems to point to a drug related death for Prince. We may never know.

I'm not sure what anyone else read into Simmons' statement, but what I got out of it was Simmons saying that Prince was enormously talented and that a drug related death for such a super-talent is sad, and that the path of drugs and/or alcohol so commonly taken by successful artists is a dangerous one. He didn't belittle Prince or harp upon his possible failings, he just said it was sad, and that people who choose such a path are, essentially, choosing that sad end.

I'm no big fan of Gene Simmons as a person (not that I actually know him personally). He strikes me as being selfish, insensitive, misogynistic and ruthless but there's nothing in his statement about Prince that strikes me as being especially out of line. Blunt, perhaps, but not out of line. All he said is that drugs are a choice and it's sad.

I think it's sad, too. Does that mean I'm out of line?

 

[MindinAction]

I have been a Prince fan since the 1978 release of "Soft And Wet" a song so controversial they wouldn't even play it at certain times and I remember radio stations getting bombarded with complaints but when he released the album simply titled "Prince" a year later I knew I was witness to an absolute genius it forever changed the way I thought about music. He's gone and dead is dead I don't care

Yes.

 

[JohnDeereJack]

Does anyone not think that John Bonham's drinking killed him? Or Jim Morrisson?

Nope, I don't think Jim Morrison killed John Bonham!

 

[Marial]

Unlike Prince, I will not miss Gene Simmons.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Unlike Prince, I will not miss Gene Simmons.

I won't miss him either, but the old man may see me dead for all I know. Unless hair dye is a carcinogen, it seems he lives a clean life.

 

[Marial]

I won't miss him either, but the old man may see me dead for all I know. Unless hair dye is a carcinogen, it seems he lives a clean life.

I don't think that's hair dye...

 

[Rogatien022]

It's only a part of some interview. Gene Simmons, don't care about him. Is he better than Prince? Don't care about that. They both are talented human beings and they made a good living out of their music. Bashing one or the other is a stupid reaction. Heck, bashing other musicians or a musician forum should not be allowed.

Journalists will take only the part they want to sell their stories, to stir the pot. I'm pretty sure the WHOLE interview would give us another perspective. They show you want they want you to read. This is how many folks are getting manipulated by the medias.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't think that's hair dye...

 

[JMacBass65]

I dislike Gene, for his playing (overrated, if he even played on some of the records, and yes I've seen KISS live), his songwriting, and his personality. However, I begrudgingly have to agree with him on this.

The word "pathetic" has developed some meanings that go beyond its original usage. In the true sense of the word it means something closer to pitiful, or being able to elicit sympathy. Prince was clearly suffering from severe joint damage which he could not address surgically due to his religious beliefs. He was in a bad place in terms of pain and trying to address it in a way that made sense to him. For someone who was so talented and such an incredible musician and performer to go out in a whimper, all alone in an elevator, is, well, pathetic and sad. It's not a value judgment on the person but a statement of the emotions their situation raises.

Gene is still a jackass though.

You know what? You are making far too much sense. Stop it now.

 

[kimokeo]

Typical Gene - Say or do anything to get himself more publicity. No matter what took the life of Prince (maybe it was pills, yet TBD) it is a tragedy to the music business.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Unlike Prince, I will not miss Gene Simmons.

Opposite for me. KISS is the reason I started playing guitar. Prince did nothing for me. And I can't seem to let go of the Jimmy Fallon guitar incident everyone else seems to have forgotten.

 

[Marial]

Opposite for me. KISS is the reason I started playing guitar. Prince did nothing for me. And I can't seem to let go of the Jimmy Fallon guitar incident everyone else seems to have forgotten.

That's cool. I was never a part of the Kiss Army myself, and Gene, well, the comment that he's the Trump of music seems pretty apt.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Opposite for me. KISS is the reason I started playing guitar. Prince did nothing for me. And I can't seem to let go of the Jimmy Fallon guitar incident everyone else seems to have forgotten.

I have seen a few clips where Prince tossed a guitar, and there was someone there to catch it. I think that what what he thought was going to happen with Captain Kirk's guitar. That said, it is better to toss your own guitar.

As for Prince not inspiring you, he played music. I know no one who likes all music. Love Kiss and be happy.

 

[irjason]

What is pathetic is that is that Gene Simmons would try to use the death of another human being for self promotion. While he's entitled to his own opinion, he doesn't need to run around mouthing off to the press in an attempt to get some attention. Show some class Gene. The guy died because he was addicted. Choice or not, it doesn't make it any less sad.

 

[JLY]

I do not think Simmoms said this for publicity. He has always been very outspoken and blunt regarding his stance on substance abuse.

We're his comments premature, blunt and lacking compassion- yes. We're they wrong? Toxicology tests will ultimately tell us what really happened.

I would describe it as a tragedy vs pathetic

 

[A.K.]

Was it the Jehovah's Witness thing that kept Prince from getting his hips replaced?

 

[BassBrass]

I would never fault a person for managing their pain. I Might be inclined to fault a person for refusing medical treatment based on a (imo) false belief, but then I also believe in freedom of choice, so again, Prince is allowed to live his life as he wants and small minded opinions are nothing.