Gene Simmons talks about his extraordinary life
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NEW YORK (Billboard) - There is not much to write about Gene Simmons that has
not been written before. But the man himself can find plenty to say about his
extraordinary life.
As co-founder, bassist and co-vocalist of rock group Kiss, Simmons belongs to
one of the most commercially successful acts in history. Kiss' 24
gold-certified albums place it at the top among American bands, according to
the Recording Industry Assn. of America.
Amid his Kiss career, Simmons has kept busy as an entrepreneur. Last year he
reactivated Simmons Records, which, along with the Kiss Records imprint, has
teamed with Sanctuary Records Group for new releases.
Simmons says he is developing a premium-cable entertainment channel, although
he could not reveal details. He also has an A&E TV documentary in the works.
On the literary front, he has formed Simmons Books in a joint venture with New
Millennium. One title due under the deal is "Kiss & Tell," an autobiography
from Simmons' longtime romantic partner, Shannon Tweed. (The publication date
is yet to be determined.)
Simmons also is reviving his long-dormant career as a solo artist. On June 8,
Simmons/Sanctuary releases "Asshole," Simmons' first solo album since his 1978
self-titled solo debut. "Asshole" features collaborations with Bob Dylan and
Dave Navarro. Simmons says he also wants to release a 100-song boxed set of
solo material he has recorded through the years.
Q: Why did you wait all these years to do a new solo album? And why do you want
to put out a 100-song boxed set of your solo material?
A: It's finally time. Over the years, when we'd do a Kiss record, I would write
15 to 30 songs per album to get the four or five that might be used. Most of
those songs were sitting around, and a lot of them didn't make sense in the
context of Kiss. I want to put out a boxed set because I owe it to the songs.
It's not fair that they're just sitting around.
Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
A: On a corporate level, having more gold albums in America than any other
band. On a personal level, I have to give the cornball answer and say getting
up onstage with people going out of their minds and seeing different
generations of people in Kiss makeup. It does put a lump in your throat, and
it's heartwarming.
Q: How do you respond to people who say the band isn't really Kiss unless it
consists of the original members: you, Paul Stanley (news), Ace Frehley and
Peter Criss (news)?
A: I used to believe that.
Any rules we have for the band are rules we decide for ourselves. There are
lots of bands that have lost members who people might have thought were
irreplaceable, but the bands got replacements and the bands got bigger: AC/DC,
Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, the Who.
I love Ace, Peter and Paul. They helped me get to where I am. I hate myself for
not standing up to Ace and Peter sooner when they were destroying themselves.
Q: Last year, Ace Frehley told billboard.com that it was deceptive of you and
Paul Stanley to tour as Kiss without him. He asserted at the time that he was
"into a health kick" and fit to play. What would you say to Ace right now?
A: I hope you're happy, but you're not allowed to be in the band. There's no
way we'd let you onstage and subject people to your erratic behavior. It
doesn't matter if you're an original member. If you mess up, you're an
ex-member. And that goes for me, too.
Q: There's a perception that you are the business brains behind Kiss. What are
your thoughts on that?
A: Artists always forget the meaning of the word "business" in the music
business. It means you sign your own checks. It means the record company works
for you, not you for the record company. Once you delegate authority, it means
you're diluting who you are; someone else makes business decisions for you. I
don't like handlers, assistants and bodyguards, because they can't do things as
well as I can.
Q: Why didn't you assume the management of Kiss?
A: Paul has a lot to do with Kiss' ideas. He's one of the best frontmen ever.
There's a friendly, brotherly rivalry with us. If one of us goes a little too
far, the other one wants to pull him back. So if I'm managing the band, where
does that leave Paul? The thing that keeps this band going is the continuing
and abiding respect that Paul and I have for each other.
Q: If Paul Stanley wrote his autobiography, what do you think he would say
about you?
A: He would say that I'm a workaholic and that I've got the biggest ego he's
ever met. And I think he'd say, and rightfully so, that I get a lot of credit
for ideas he came up with.
Q: Can you give some examples?
A:. I didn't think of the name of the band. Paul did. I didn't design the Kiss
logo. Ace did, and then Paul actually drew the original version, which is used
today.
Q: You did some reality-show segments with your family on "Extra" in 2002 that
were similar to "The Osbournes." Would you still want to do a reality series
now, considering the problems that Kelly and Jack Osbourne have experienced?
A: The main problems with the Osbournes had to do with drugs. I'd still want to
do a reality show about me, but not with my kids involved. Doing a reality show
with them wouldn't be fair to them, because they wouldn't get a chance to be
kids.
Q: Can you explain why Kiss keeps touring even after your so-called final
tours? Why call it a farewell tour when most people know Kiss will probably
keep touring?
A: We did a farewell tour when it was clear that Ace couldn't continue. But
after the tour was over, it became fairly obvious from fans that they wanted us
to continue. Rock bands are a lot like football teams: If a guy is on drugs and
messes up, get someone else who's proud to wear the uniform and be part of the
team.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes artists make in their careers?
A: Drugs, this time and every time. I wish more journalists would confront
stars with drug problems and ask them, "Don't your fans think you're an asshole
for getting high?"
Q: What's your response to people who say there's too much Kiss merchandise?
A: Actually, we haven't put out enough, because a lot of it sells out. So
whoever says there's too much Kiss merchandise is not a marketing expert.
Q: How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
A: I love money, I love women, I like to work hard and I don't use drugs.
Gene Simmons: Career Highlights
2002: Three Rivers Press publishes Simmons' autobiography, "Kiss and Make-Up";
his financial advice book, "Sex Money Kiss," appears the following year.
1996: Kiss' original lineup reunites for a tour and returns to wearing its
famous makeup and costumes in concert.
1988: Launches Simmons Records.
1984: Makes his theatrical film debut in "Runaway."
1983: Kiss begins performing without its trademark makeup and costumes.
1976: "Destroyer" becomes Kiss' first U.S. platinum album. "Beth" becomes the
band's first top 10 song on The Billboard Hot 100. Simmons discovers Van Halen
and produces the band's demo.
1975: "Alive!" becomes the first Kiss album to reach the top 10 of the
Billboard pop albums chart.
1974: Casablanca releases Kiss' self-titled debut album.
1972: Kiss forms with a lineup of Simmons, co-vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley,
guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss.
Reuters/Billboard