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
I agree rap should not be in the hof…after all, its sampling /stealing others music and changing lyrics to make it their own…sounds vaguely familiar..oh yea, zeppelin..lol
Hey Eddie……is that the guy you had on your show about two years ago?
If we spent as much time talking about the music as we do arguing over opinions on here then the music would actually be heard. Opinions are just that! Throwing hatred around does nothing at all for anyone. We are all metal heads that love the music and should be sharing our love for it and not calling each other names kind of childish! My posts offend no one. If you like politics go on CNN and post on there. What does gun laws have anything to do with metal music? If you want to assault people become a comic do not treat people poorly that you have never meet makes zero sense to me what so ever. I love metal music and if you can’t share the same love for that I do then whats the point of this sight and comment box? Now watch someones going to through a bunch of F-bombs at me. Just to make them self feel better but threat people like crap only makes me feel like dirt!! I’d much rather treat people with respect any day but that’s just me. Being nice in my eye’s is a good thing. Hope everyone just in joy the music like we should bee doing on here. Lol
Yeah Brian, you have to be careful about what you say & how you say it around here, trust me. Certain people, ( I won’t name any names but they know who they are ) just love to put words in your mouth, and then twist it, and make it sound like you said something you didn’t say, and make it sound like you meant something you didn’t mean. One minute you’re talking about music & the next thing you know you’re in the middle of a political battle, and/or you got certain people insulting you just because either you disagree with them, or they just don’t like something you said. But despite all that, this really is a great site for music, most people around here are really cool, for the most part. We don’t all have to agree on everything, the same bands, or all or some of their members, but I think we’re all in agreement that we all love music right? isn’t that why we’re all here? Have a good one.
I totally agree!! Some people just love to hate and it is kinda sad! I hate no one. I have so much respect for others too bad it does not go both ways! I feel sorry for Dana sometimes! She works hard to inform us and help us to learn about the music we all love. Then a few angry people who have nothing better to do but start trouble because for I’ll never understand nor do I ever want to. If anyone is bothered by anything I’ve said then I’m just as wrong as any of the haters on here and I at least have the heart to apologize for it. Most of the people don’t admit it and that where the issues come through. I appreciate your words because you said it in proper manner and I thank you for it and I’m sure Dana wishes all of us would do that. Just didn’t under stand what talking about gun laws had to do with Paul and the hall of fame that’s all half the comments had nothing to do with Paul. It bad enough the media pounds the horrible stuff in this world down our throats. Music is meant to ease our minds of all the horrible stuff in the world so why bring such depressing sad stuff into the one thing we use to escape it. Have a great night all!!
Thank you Brian, you have summed up how I feel at times very well.
I am all for mature and intelligent debates, I think that’s great. What I don’t care for is name calling, mudslinging and snarky, degrading comments between posters. It’s easy to insult. It takes finesse to get one’s point across in a constructive manner.
Cheers,
Dana 🙂
Thanks for that last sentence Dana. Clearly a shout out to me and greatly appreciated.
Tom Morello had the best speech of the evening.
The Hall of Shame (or Sham, for that matter…). It’s nothing but a joke-who gives a hoot anymore. KISS is legendary without that shack and life continues…