Gene Simmons’ son, Nick Simmons interviewed his father for Esquire Magazine. Portions of the interview appears below.
Nick Simmons: You once said the music business isn’t dying — it’s dead. What would you say to young musicians and songwriters today trying to navigate this new terrain?
Gene Simmons: Don’t quit your day job is a good piece of advice. When I was coming up, it was not an insurmountable mountain. Once you had a record company on your side, they would fund you, and that also meant when you toured they would give you tour support. There was an entire industry to help the next Beatles, Stones, Prince, Hendrix, to prop them up and support them every step of the way. There are still record companies, and it does apply to pop, rap, and country to an extent. But for performers who are also songwriters — the creators — for rock music, for soul, for the blues — it’s finally dead.
Rock is finally dead.
I am so sad that the next 15-year-old kid in a garage someplace in Saint Paul, that plugs into his Marshall and wants to turn it up to ten, will not have anywhere near the same opportunity that I did. He will most likely, no matter what he does, fail miserably. There is no industry for that anymore. And who is the culprit? There’s always the changing tide of interests — music taste changes with each generation. To blame that is silly. That was always the exciting part, after all: “What’s next?” But there’s something else. The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. And the real culprit is that kid’s 15-year-old next-door neighbor, probably a friend of his. Maybe even one of the bandmates he’s jamming with. The tragedy is that they seem to have no idea that they just killed their own opportunity — they killed the artists they would have loved. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed, and now it won’t, because it’s that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it.
The masses do not recognize file-sharing and downloading as stealing because there’s a copy left behind for you — it’s not that copy that’s the problem, it’s the other one that someone received but didn’t pay for. The problem is that nobody will pay you for the 10,000 hours you put in to create what you created. I can only imagine the frustration of all that work, and having no one value it enough to pay you for it.
It’s very sad for new bands. My heart goes out to them. They just don’t have a chance. If you play guitar, it’s almost impossible. You’re better off not even learning how to play guitar or write songs, and just singing in the shower and auditioning for The X Factor. And I’m not slamming The X Factor, or pop singers. But where’s the next Bob Dylan? Where’s the next Beatles? Where are the songwriters? Where are the creators? Many of them now have to work behind the scenes, to prop up pop acts and write their stuff for them.
Here’s a frightening thought: from 1958 to 1983, name 100 musical anythings that are iconic, that seem to last beyond their time.
NS: [How] does this bode for the industry of the future?
GS: There is no record industry, unfortunately. Not like there was. There are some terrific bands out there — Tame Impala, which you turned me on to, and so on. And during the ’60s and ’70s they would’ve become big, I’m convinced.
But, strangely, today, everything pales before Psy’s Gangnam Style. Look up the numbers on that song. He blows everyone else out of the water.
Read more at Esquire.
source: esquire.com
186 Responses
For once, I have to agree with Simmons, but I also think that KISS has not embraced the digital download via Amazon, Itunes, etc as much as other bands. But maybe they don’t have to, they are living off the classic lineup ( sans Ace and Peter) for years now. A nostalgia act.
I think a number of bands can live off and still make a lot of money off being a “nostalgia” act, like Priest, U2, Kiss, Stones, G &R, Aerosmith, Genesis, etc. But the difference to younger bands is: they have a very large fanbase that they have created ofver many years or even many decades, so these people will show up to see their favourite band for the 10th time. But for a new band they know they will not be able to live off the royalties of the cd sales so they have to go on tour but will not dra w large audiences, it is sad.
Gee Dana can’t wait for the responses for this one. I hope that isn’t the case because I HATE modern pop music
I am with you Charlie,
When it comes to music, I am stuck in the 80’s, myself. My only exceptions are Airbourne and Buckcherry, who both happen to have retro sounds.
D 🙂
Add Godsmack to that list! Gene, rock is NOT dead, I know what you’re trying to say, but it is NOT dead! Take the F’N politics out of the music business, and then you’ll see the truth. Yes, it is very hard today for a new rock band to get a break, but don’t give up, the cream always rises to the top, and eventually, rock music will be back on top! If kids today weren’t brainwashed with this rap/hip-hop sh*t, (because of politics) ROCK music (real music) would still be on top, everywhere! You want to hear a new, young, hungry kick-ass ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND? Listen to AIRBOURNE, upbeat, fun, balls to the wall, pedal to the “metal” for ALL ages! You want proof ROCK music is still alive? Take a listen to AIRBOURNE! 🙂
What bar are they playing tonight ?
Hey Todd, have you ever heard Airbourne?
Amen. No one knows who they are.
Dana knows who they are, and a lot more will find out in the near future!
They are currently on tour in Canada and they played Sonisphere this past summer..and where exactly is your band is playing?
Sorry if I sound plucky, but I really dislike when people make broad generalizations and disparage music or bands they are not even familiar with, seems a bit narrow minded to me.
Exactly! Not saying Airbourne will ever be as big as AC/DC, who would, or could? But give them some more time, AC/DC’s first 4 albums were great, but it really wasn’t until their FIFTH album, “Highway To Hell” that they exploded! Airbourne’s just taking off, (no pun intended), so either climb aboard, or get left in the dust! 🙂
After touching some nerves(you’d think it was a segment on Stump the Trunk when the answer is wrong) , Google helped me out, a third rate AC DC copy band that plays clubs and while the sun is shining at festivals. Sorry I didn’t like KIX and many others for the same reason.I laugh at those without the ability to read and comprehend Gene’s statement without letting their bias against the man cloud their judgement. Every single band championed by this site would be doing better without the industry in the shitter. How many times has ed explained how sales are , how many times have you heard him talk about how hard it is out there on the road right now, talking about bands can’t survive on the road, week end fly ins and the such ?
Comments in this thread show people just comment on the headline and the subject without reading the whole article.
Godsmack is noise, I’m sorry. And I like heavy music, like Slayer. Slayer has songs. Godsmack? Not so much. Just my 2 cents.
Joe, Godsmack has a lot of “songs”, ALOT! Too many to go over right now, I’m too F’N tired to go over all of them but I will say this, “RE-ALIGN” is my favorite, now that is a F’N song! 🙂
Godsmack kicks ass. Have you heard any of their albums? Your two cents just went down a cent.
O.K. Joe, I’m “AWAKE” now, you want “songs”, not “noise”, listen to
“VOODOO”, “SPIRAL”, “SERENITY”, and “HOLLOW”, just to name a few. Mike B. is right,
Godsmack does kick ass, if you still don’t agree, well then, “WHATEVER”! 🙂
Joe I respectfully have to say that I disagree with your opinion that Godsmack is just noise. They have many great songs and Generation Day off their new album has become one of my favorite Godsmack songs.
With all due respect , I feel just opposite, love Godsmack never had any use at all for Slayer. While I loved the rest of the so called BIG 4(Metallica,Megadeth,Anthrax), just never cared for Slayer.
Come to think of it, there’s only three songs (that I know of) that I like from Slayer: Seasons in the Abyss, War Ensemble, and Reign in Blood–those are the only songs I like from those albums. Not knocking Slayer of course–they were KILLER in concert! Probably the heaviest and scariest (in a good way) show I’ve ever seen. Just couldn’t get into the studio albums for some reason. I just gravitate toward those three songs when/if I listen to them.
AIRBOURNE! Yes, Doug is very correct! Anyone reading our posts needs to listen to Airbourne and if you love down and dirty, rowdy, AC/DC style rock and roll, you’ll love Airbourne.
Hey Doug, I think between you, Dana and me, we’re going to eventually either get people fired up and excited to hear that band or we’ll make people so sick if us promoting them so much, lots will cave in and check them out. Either way is fine with me.
Yes James 🙂
AIBOURNE!!!! Live it up! LOL!!
D:)
Absolutely! Somebody has to “STAND UP FOR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL”! 🙂
Cheers to Dana, our Moderator/Referee, LOL! 😉
If it wasn’t for Dana, I probably still wouldn’t even know about Airbourne.
This one’s for you D, Saturday night, time to “LIVE IT UP”, CHEERS! 🙂
I would say: rock is not dead, but the rock business is in comparison to what it was in the 70s to the 90s. You will find all kinds of great new bands and tunes on YT etc but who is willing to pay for their music when you can listen to it for free and even copy it on the selfsame YT channel?? In the long run: no pay, no art(ist). The big recording studios are vansihing, so are small record companies, the bands I could go to playing in some local club almost all play cover versions, cover bands impersonating the look and the hits of certain well-known bands, there hardly is a local promoter giving local bands with original material the chance to find their audience. Sounds so trivial, but it all comes down to the one principle of money is God, what will make money will be promoted, but when producers or record company owners or local promoters are in doubt, they will take the safe road and hire the cover bands/put out pop music that will get air play. Same on television, all that crap basically just delivers the least common denominator. It is up to us to change that development by buying music and film again.
With the 80s metal acts get old it’s hard to find new music listening to
Five finger death punch & the pretty reckless I may be 50 but I’ll still listen to metal I’ve even listen to some stuff I usually listen to like Behemoth . I’m very eclectic when it comes to music
Good for you Charlie,
I think it’s great you can open your mind and ear to new metal. I wish I could, but it just does nothing for me. I like the old stuff.
D 🙂
Nothin like the old stuff just wish bands like Priest, Maiden , Motörhead and Overkill could play forever but I know it’s not so Sad But True
Agreed Charlie,
When the old guard retires, it will be a very depressing day, indeed. Although I do like Caleb Johnson’s voice, where is the next Rob Halford? Ronnie James Dio? Iconic voices like that are very hard to come by, even back then. Nowadays, seems practically impossible.
D 🙂
Dana,
The only new bands I like are not new bands anymore lol!
Alter Bridge, Godsmack, A7X, Static X (not even together anymore), and maybe a couple others that I can’t think of right now. Rock is not dead–it’s just sleeping and waiting for an opportunity to thrive again, which it will. There’s no better or more honest music around.
*****AIRBOURNE!*****
I know I know! Lol!
I disagree that rock is dead because we the faithful metal heads will never stop listening to rock and metal. If I live into my 60’s, 70’s or 80’s, as long as I can hear I’ll be listening to rock & metal! Where I do agree with mr simmons is rock essentially is dead for most youngsters and/or bands trying to “make it.” I played in an originals focused band for five+ years. We played covers too in order to get more shows. We recorded original songs, got internet radio airplay, begged every bar in town to have us, won battle of the bands, mailed demos, etc etc. we were good but despite our efforts there just isn’t much of a market for newer rock/metal bands. And we played with and were friends with many established and better bands than us with incredible musicians who struggled and didn’t make it. There are many many musicians out there who can play Red House by Hendrix, Stranglehold by the Nuge, Crazy Train, Zeppelin, etc note for note that also write their own amazing music that don’t stand a chance. I always said that our band and the better bands we knew were simply 25 years too late and it’s a shame.
Sounds like you were telling my own story to me … because of that similar expeience, I have taken to road to the inside meaning that today I rejoice in writing and recording my own music in my homestudio and stopped dreaming. Which is OK because I’m almost 50 now and family and other things are also priorities. But the young fresh and hungry musicians of today, will they ever get a chance to enrich this world and delight people with their talent and ideas?
Gene is correct. The only future is re-issues like that IRON MAIDEN CD set or live DVDs from back in the day. That is no future at all but a look behind. REDEEMER OF SOULS is good but not too many more where that came from. GOVERNMENT MULE is the best NEW rock band and they are 20+ years old.
Actually BUCKCHERRY may be newer but not by much. They are also very good.
Personally I believe Alterbridge is the best band on the planet nowadays. You know what I really miss the most are record stores!! Not just the ones in the mall but the mom & pop ones that would have awesome displays, posters, tapestries and the midnight sales for that brand new Metallica album that you just couldn’t wait another second for!
We had a small record store in that ssleepy malltown I grew up in whose owner actually got me onto a number of interesting bands of which I then bought many albums, he knew the musical tastes of all his customers, he could set you onto something you would not have discovered on your own, I miss these days ofthat thrill of discovery and reading all the liner notes on the album covers while listening to the songs, secluded in my room with that “keep out” sign at the door.
Everything goes in cycles. Eventually some generation whether it is in 10 years or 20 years will have had enough of the garbage Pop/Rap and want to listen to musicians that can actually play an instrument. Ozzy said “You can’t Kill Rock and Roll” and he is the master of the universe. Gene Simmons is an idiot, what does he speak for everyone now??? Look Gene, your band sucks now, go get Ace back, cut him a cheque, write a new album with ACE contributing, get the hell in the gym, declare pop music dead and take this shit back!
Sean, now that’s what I’m talking about! Great post dude!
In the words of Triumph, FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!! 🙂
Thanks Doug! “Defender of the Faith” ha ha ha!! WOOO!
Hey Sean, Ace has been gone for over a decade. Kiss just wrapped up their tour with Lep and sold over 600, 000 tickets. Why should Gene go to the gym? He looked fine two weeks ago, on the flipside did you see how fat and bloated Ace has been lately? Jesus Christ he looked and sounded HORRIBLE on Fallon and Golden Gods too. His new album SUCKS. If you actually read the article with a business perspective, he’s right, for the time being.
Sorry talktopete, I was wrong, clearly you are the all knowing supreme being of all things considered Rock and Roll! You would sound horrible on Fallon too! If you think Rock is so dead then dust of your Air Supply 8 track tapes and live happily ever after.