The boss of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has hit back at Paul Stanley, describing the KISS frontman as a “borderline racist.”
CEO Joel Peresman had come under fire from Stanley over the handling of his band’s induction at this year’s ceremony. He and bandmate Gene Simmons wanted the current lineup to play at last month’s gala night while organizers only wanted the original members to perform. The argument ended in a stalemate, with the band not performing at the ceremony.
Stanley – who took a pot shot at judges from their own stage – this week reignited the argument by calling the Rock Hall “elitist” and claiming it lacked credibility.
Now Peresman has broken his silence, hailing Simmons’ acceptance speech, but slamming his bandmate. He tells Radio.com, “It was a lovely speech; it was actually kind of classy – as opposed to Paul’s. He’s been almost borderline racist. Not in that speech, but in other interviews talking about how hip-hop artists shouldn’t be inducted because they don’t play instruments. It’s like, ‘what are you, kidding?’
And he talks about the nominating committee, and how those guys don’t buy records. Those guys buy records. They’re fucking fans. Those guys are writers and critics and musicians. Those are the people who buy records and got into the business because they love music.”
But Peresman may have gotten his facts wrong. In a recent interview it was Simmons, not Stanley, who slated hip-hop. The bassist said in March: “A few people decide what’s in and what’s not and the masses just scratch their heads. You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Run DMC in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You’re killing me! That doesn’t mean those aren’t good artists. But they don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk – not even sing.”
Stanley made his own race-hate allegations when he referred to former bandmates Ace Frehly and Peter Criss as people who resented being “unfairly manipulated by money-grubbing Jews.” In March he said he stood by his allegations.
At the ceremony in Brooklyn on April 10, KISS were inducted alongside Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, The E Street Band and others.
source: metalhammer.teamrock.com
85 Responses
Did half the people commenting here not read the above article???? It clearly states that Paul DID NOT make those “rappers shouldn’t be in the RRHoF” comments – GENE did! So why are some of you attributing the comments to Paul in your comments???? (if you’re going to slam the incredibly clueless Joel Peresman, at least read the whole story!)
Are you a raging lunatic?
Why are we talking about guns and mowing people down? Were talking about Paul and the hall of fame. We have to listen to this crap on the news. This site is to help us shy away from that horrible stuff for a minute just like the music dose.
I’m siding with Gene and Paul. Joel Peresman is a buffoon for making such comments. Not everything is racist. Hip hop artists in the RRHOF is baloney.
ANTI-LIBERAL, DOUG R. and the extremely annoying RICHMAN all need to go home. You’re all very sick people that need help. The only insight you guys have is into how ridiculous all of you are. DOUG, all you are is a butt kisser. ANTI-LIBERAL, this is not fox news and RICHMAN, the ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE thing was funny the first time but now 250 times later it like you has run it’s course.
MILKMONEY COMES UP TO ME ONE DAY
WHEN I’M WALKING DOWN THE STREET
MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS
HE LOOKS ME UP AND HE LOOKS ME DOWN
SAYS WHAT BE THIS AND WHAT BE THAT…….
Hey milkmoney, (speaking of sick people who need help) when the f did you become the POST POLICE? We all have a right to our opinions and to speak our minds around here. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Oh yeah, I don’t know anything about being a butt kisser, but if that’s what you’re looking for, a butt kisser, try Chris Matthews, I hear he’s pretty good at it, MR. thrill up his leg. Now go home, grab a cigar, and stick it up your ass & smoke it! Have a nice day.
Bravo Milkman.
Yeah, bravo, how many more times are you 2 losers going to change your names? Why don’t the both of you man up and be yourselves. Maybe you should ask Tommy & Eric to help you both find your true identities, oh wait, nevermind, their still looking for theirs themselves. Goodnight.
I read the entire article thanks. My only point was that the artists and other music industry people and fans take the term “Rock n Roll Hall of Fame” literally. The point was Gene or Paul or Joe blow that feels this way is looking at it from that perspective and for Pressman to make such a statement is Ludacris especially when it comes from this literal vantage point that rock n roll means rock n roll. It’s that simple. Poodles wouldn’t be in the hound dog hall of fame. If the organization feels Rock n Roll is a broader term then fine. Maybe it’s time to define it better or change the name or add to it. Gene’s comments or anyone else that makes similar statements are not automatically racist. They are looking at it as they are excluding music that doesn’t fit the umbrella for which you refer to yourself as. For Pressman to bring racism into the conversation just makes everything more divisive. Not exactly what’s needed right about now…