Kiss’ Gene Simmons isn’t afraid to share his opinions on artists from other generations. For example, he said Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse could have been rock stars even if he isn’t a fan of everything Gaga has done. In the same vein, he said Selena Gomez couldn’t have been a rock star if she tried.
During a 2021 interview with Us Weekly, Simmons revealed he respects Gaga even if he isn’t the biggest fan of dance music. “The new artists have that thing. When she first started, I said ‘Gaga is the next rock star.’ I’m not a fan of the disco boys on the poles and the sort of disco stuff of it.”
Simmons praised Gaga’s projects outside of the world of dance music. “She’s got the depth to sing with Tony Bennett which she did a chanteuse,” he said. “She’s got the depth. Listen to her sing ‘Shallow.’ She also did Edith Piaf, the classic French actress. I want to see Gaga with a rock band in the back of her rocking out because she’s got the goods.”
Simmons continued to say Gaga and Winehouse could have been rock stars but Gomez didn’t have the same capability. “I love all the Selena Gomezes and all that kind of stuff. [She] wouldn’t be able to hold up a rock band,” he opined. “Gaga’s got the goods and her versatility, you know who else had, Amy Winehouse.”
Simmons praised Winehouse’s versatility. “Undeniable,” he said. “Blues, rock, singing with Tony Bennett, she did all of them. She just takes your breath away with those deep lyrics and all melodies. I can’t sing for s***, but you’re talking about those two voices.”
Simmons praised Gaga’s song “Shallow,” which became a huge hit. It became one of Gaga’s five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “Born This Way,” and “Rain on Me.” Gaga became similarly successful on the Billboard 200. Six of her albums topped that chart: Born This Way, Artpop, Cheek to Cheek, Joanne, A Star Is Born, and Chromatica.
Winehouse was less prominent in the United States. Her song “Rehab” hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her only top 40 hit. Meanwhile, none of Winehouse’s albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Her biggest album, Back to Black, reached No. 2. In comparing Gaga and Winehouse, it’s important to note Winehouse released fewer albums than the “Bad Romance” singer.
Regardless of who became more prominent, Simmons thinks Gaga and Winehouse could’ve been rock gods.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame might be the most controversial institution related to classic rock music. During an interview, Kiss’ Gene Simmons said many of the artists inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame do not belong there. Here’s a look at some of the artists he feels should be excluded — and some of the classic rock artists he thinks deserve recognition there.
Love it or hate it, the name of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a misnomer. Many of the artists honored there aren’t really rock artists. To some fans, it’s nice to see their favorite artists recognized, even if they don’t make rock music. However, other fans feel the establishment should honor rock artists exclusively.
Episode 471, March 22, 2022 Chris Lendt, former KISS Business Manager, returns this week to continue last week’s discussion about Japan 1977. He shares his thoughts on Bill Aucoin’s quote about the band ending. We continue talking about when Chris first saw cracks within the band. What one mistake did the band make that he thought they shouldn’t have done. Chris’s insights into KISS are always so enlightening.
