KISS star Gene Simmons says he’s proud to be among the One Percent of the world’s richest people – and insists everyone else owes him a debt of gratitude.
The bassist believes the world would descend into “chaos” if it wasn’t for him and fellow millionaires.
Simmons tells UTSanDiego.com, “The one percent pays 80 percent of all taxes. 50 percent of the population of the US pays no taxes. The one percent provides all the jobs for everybody else. If the one percent didn’t exist there would be chaos and the economy would drop dead.”
He adds, “Try being nice to rich people. I don’t remember the last poor person who gave me a job.”
Describing his 30 years of extreme financial security as “fantastic” he continues: “You know how I spell ‘shameless?’ P-r-o-u-d.”
He explains, “People often confuse my pride and self-confidence with arrogance. I’m like an animal in the jungle that pisses on the ground and doesn’t ask permission. That’s full disclosure before the facts – others hold their opinions to themselves and never say who they are. You will always know who I am. You don’t have to like it.”
KISS recently announced, KISS Rocks Vegas residency, starting November 5th at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The band is currently on tour with Def Leppard.
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com
125 Responses
I have a dilemma on my hands. Kiss is coming to my hometown soon and part of me wants to go and part of me doesn’t want to go.
Kiss is my all time favorite band and I have loved them since I was a kid growing up in the 70’s. When I was 8 years old I COVERED my bedroom wall with pictures of the band and once, due to my young age and lack of access to makeup, put flour all over my face in an attempt to look like them. My favorite member was always Ace Frehley and I was disappointed both times when he left the band. It was a dream come true to finally see all the original members perform in their costumes and makeup on their “Farewell” tour (or “Final Shake” tour as I like to call it). I felt deceived when they kept going and absolutely DISGUSTED when they started dressing Tommy and Eric up as Ace and Peter. I said that’s it, I’M DONE!!!
I ignored the band up until a few years ago when just out of curiosity I decided to listen on YouTube to Sonic Boom and Monster to see if they were any good. I didn’t think the albums were anything special, but the song “Freak” struck a chord with me and it reignited my passion for the band. To this day I still think it’s wrong that Kiss continued after their Farewell tour and that they put Tommy and Eric in Ace and Peter’s costumes and makeup. The whole debacle with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t help matters. It was a real turn off the way Paul and Gene (especially Paul) handled the days leading up to their induction. I thought I was done with them again, but after reading Paul’s bio for free in Barnes & Noble and totally identifying with his desire to become famous in an ill fated attempt to make things right within himself, I started thinking maybe, just maybe I should go see them in concert again. It’s likely the last time Paul or Gene will come around before they retire and it would be special to see them in my hometown at the place I always dreamed they would come. It wouldn’t be the same…or as good…without Ace and Peter there. Paul’s singing voice is shot and a distraction. I don’t like the Spider stage. Furthermore, I am one of those POOR people who has supported Kiss by buying their albums from the 70’s through the early 90’s and going to their concerts. Purchasing a $50 lawn ticket is a huge expense for me and I don’t like the idea of lining the pockets of the 1% when I am living below the poverty level .
Incidentally, I am a U.S. Army veteran and suffer from trauma related issues that effect my ability to hold a regular job. Note to Gene: some of us have disabilities that keep us in poverty; we are not just lazy bums!
I had not spent a penny on anything Kiss related since 2000. I had vowed never to buy anything again out of protest, but a few months ago broke down and bought a Destroyer era t-shirt on Ebay…so I’m out $20. Back in the 90’s I had the good fortune of doing a gig at one of Paul Stanley’s private parties where in a turn of events, HE PAID ME (LOL)!!! I like to joke around that Paul gave me an in person refund for all the money I spent on those crappy mid 80’s Kiss albums.
Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. I’m still trying to decide if I should go see Kiss or not. There is a chance that I could get in for free through some connections I have, but even if I did get in for free, do I really want to see Tommy and Eric impersonating Ace and Peter? I already know the answer to that question. Do I want to see Paul and Gene for one final time in my hometown? I know the question to that answer too. So as I vacillate between going and not going, the day of the concert is fast approaching.
War Machine,
Great post! Even though my views about KISS–today’s KISS–are different from yours, I can appreciate where you’re coming from about all the issues you mentioned. Mainly, because of the manner in which you presented your point of view. I can actually relate to most of what you said. When they first put the makeup on Eric and Tommy, I thought–no way! But, I have become used to it and actually think its working out. I still miss Ace because there was something unique about him, and there still is. However, I think Tommy, while he does not have the stage presence Ace has, is still doing a decent job as a member of KISS. Just my opinion. Concerning Eric, I could not be happier with him wearing the Cat makeup. He just seems to be himself up there even though he wears the Cat makeup. Tommy still seems a bit stiff up there, though I hate to admit to that. I think that’s because Ace is usually so easy going and comfortable–or spaced out. That’s what we love about Ace, right? He is just Ace: a real character. I even enjoy watching him in interviews. If you have the chance to see them, I suggest you do. I saw them with Motley Crue on The Tour (I missed this last one with Def Leppard) and BOTH bands were so good that I don’t know how to pick one over the other. I was tired after Motley, but when KISS took the stage, I forgot all about how tired (and hungry) I was. It was a great show. Don’t take my word for it–go see if you have the chance!
God bless!
You think Gene has flipped his wig?
mr simmons,your sure to go to heaven with all that money.your the best.n you were not always rich,i thank you personally for my job,and anything else you think I owe you for.now make some good music already,no,just pay someone a ton of your cash,n they will work for u.i think u should have your picture on a 100 bill.dont forget the statue of yourself,on long island.then all the birds can shit,n piss on you.
And on the 7th day, the God of Thunder, Gene Antoinette, said let them eat KISS merch! Keeping gloating Gene & we’ll get to see you hit w/ tomatos this summer. Maybe a tour w/ Krokus could serve some humble pie? “Eat the rich/eat the rich, out of the palace & into the pits!!”
James Perkins
Houston, Texas
Krokus could only wish to be so lucky.
This guy is a COCK!!
So you must be attracted to him.