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GENE SIMMONS: PETER And ACE Were Kicked Out Because They Were 'Drug Addicts And Alcoholics'
- Aug. 3, 2007
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Joseph Hudak of TVGuide.com recently conducted an interview with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow: TV Guide: Your family life is conventional, but your relationship with Shannon [ Tweed] is anything but. Do you consider your relationship with her an open one? Simmons: All relationships are open. Don't believe there's any difference between a monogamous and a polygamous relationship. Those are all just big words, like "gymnasium." Human beings will do whatever the hell they want to do. [But] they lie about it, because they think they have to answer to somebody. I want Shannon to stay with me only because she wants to, not because she has to. TV Guide: Your son Nick has said he genuinely likes hanging out with his parents. That must make you proud. Simmons: Very proud, but it's not the cornerstone. The cornerstone is never to negotiate with children. This permissive society has created monsters and they're called "kids." Nick and [daughter] Sophie behave and are charming and polite because they're not allowed not to be! TV Guide: You have such an aversion to drugs and alcohol. I expect the kids have been duly warned. Simmons: Oh, they know the rules. Ever see that movie "Holes"? If I catch them once, they'll find themselves in a camp out in the middle of the desert, digging holes. TV Guide: Did that strict stance ultimately affect your relationship with original KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss? Simmons: Absolutely. They were thrown out of the band because they were drug addicts and alcoholics. Period. It's difficult enough to agree with someone who is straight, much less having to deal with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This whole culture is obsessed with drugs and alcohol and smoking, and I will have none of it. TV Guide: Would you play with them again? Or is that era of KISS over? Simmons: It's difficult to talk about that because... they're damaged. Even if you're straight, can you play your instrument well enough to get up there and physically go through it? You're talking about 30 years of abuse. Everybody cares about Ace and Peter. I love them to death. But I don't want them to die on tour. Read the entire interview at TVGuide.com.
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COMMENT | GENE
posted by : Steve Guttenberg
8/3/2007 3:02:27 PM
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sounds like DAD here
thanks dad!
I'll eat my vitamins too!
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COMMENT | Gotta hand it to him....
posted by :
8/3/2007 3:30:39 PM
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He makes some valid points. Kids today don't respect anything. Time-out is a load of crap! I got my ass busted when I was growing up and I turned out ok. They should start smoking some ass with the paddle again in the schools. As far as Ace and Peter, it would be great to happen again. I don't think Gene is totally ruling it out.
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COMMENT | And yes I know.......
posted by :
8/3/2007 3:32:24 PM
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Ace and Peter had some off nights in 2000.
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COMMENT | StygianKING#1
posted by : faithnomore4ever
8/3/2007 3:34:02 PM
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You are totally right... but the only thing is that most of them ended up dead... Bon Scott, Janis, Elvis, Morrison, Phil Lynott, Tommy Bolin, Shannon Hoon and the list goes on.
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COMMENT | Get OFF it already....
posted by : Patti
8/3/2007 3:38:11 PM
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Uh, let's see...Peter Criss has been sober for YEARS Gene.
And can we live in the present, or at least the semi-present, in Ace's case???? God, Ace chose to take the F-tour for what it was...and STOP. "Kicked out".
And uh Gene? You make your share of "stinking up the stage" actions...they may not be drug-related...but you sure f**k things up as well. You NEED to get off that stage dude.
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COMMENT | Some valid points... HOWEVER.
posted by :
8/3/2007 3:40:16 PM
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Some of the greatest musicians and inventors have been using drugs(whatever his or her choice).
DIMEBAG DARRELL
ZAKK WYLDE
NUNO BETTENCOURT
etc...
My point is... DRUGS and ALCOHOL are not bad. It's abuse thats bad.
Sorry Gene, Abstinence does NOT work. Moderation DOES.
(Also Known As Discipline)
Peace to ALL!
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COMMENT | ouch!
posted by : stiff
8/3/2007 3:40:43 PM
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looks like you can rule out a reunion tour anytime soon.
I don't know about ace and peter, but if gene had said that about me, id of told him he can shove his reunion tour and his 20 million dollars up his ass!
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COMMENT | At this point...
posted by : BLACK SABBATH RULES
8/3/2007 3:43:59 PM
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it would be more interesting to see a KISS concert where Ace gets drunk onstage and tells Gene to go fuck himself, or Peter passes out at the drum kit like Keith Moon did. Their concerts are so routine and boring a little drugs and alcohol might be welcomed. By the way didn't Paul recently have heart murmurs onstage or some shit??
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COMMENT | And you can bet that Ace will be back in Ki$$ next year
posted by : Noisecommando
8/3/2007 3:52:08 PM
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With the recent Donut commercial in full gear and make-up Ace will be back on tour next year with Gene, Paul & Eric Singer.
These recent happenings were just test for $tanley & $immon$ to check if it's possible to get Ace back a third time.
Ace probably needs the money. Maybe then he can finish his new album he brags about for almost 10 years now
And Ki$$ can sell out some bigger halls then in the U.S. or Japan & Australia
It's actually pathetic when you think of it, but hey we're talking about the brand Ki$$ here.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/3/2007 3:52:53 PM
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He may have some noble values when it comes to kids and substance abuse - but I'd rather listen to a fucked up musical genius than a sober hack. Gene Simmons is not about music at all. He's about commerce - and he does it well.
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COMMENT | ACE!!!
posted by :
8/3/2007 4:03:19 PM
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I saw the reunion tour in 2000. Ace and Peter did just fine. Kiss was so big in the 70's that anything short of Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter is not truly Kiss. Imagine all four Beatles alive but only John and Paul touring and calling themselves "The Beatles".
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COMMENT |
posted by : master of poopheads
8/3/2007 4:08:51 PM
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i thought ace quit (in 82)
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COMMENT | ^^^^^^^^^
posted by :
8/3/2007 4:18:39 PM
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Gene's revisionist history(re Ace fired vs Ace quit). There's a lot of good points in the comments before mine. Gene does screw up a lot of vocals & bass playing for being a sober man. On the other hand, it does have to be pretty rough dealing with Ace & Peter for different reasons. I predict one more ca$h generating reunion/farewell show in DETROIT(filmed for DVD, pay-per-view, Alive FIVE, etc) to pad everyone's retirement. Before that, I predict more Thayer/Singer KISS shows in 2008.
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COMMENT | and spending too much money and not making enough money
posted by : shotgun cheney
8/3/2007 4:28:53 PM
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peter and ace left because Kiss were dying.
they're facade of a corporate product grew tired,
if they were popular like alive 2 and destroyer,
no matter how much heroin ace would do, gene
would not let the money stop flowing in.
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COMMENT | Get Ace in and keep Peter out
posted by : robtune
8/3/2007 4:32:37 PM
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Ace is Kiss and Peter is a whiny bitch!
Peter couldn't hold Eric Singer's jockstrap.
At least Eric doesn't try to act like Peter - he would have to suck and complain about everything and sing like crap. Tommy tries to act like Ace but is clearly not Ace. He can play well but you can never act like the true Spaceman!
Bring Ace Back! Bring Ace Back! Bring Ace Back!
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COMMENT | This is the first Gene Simmons interview I've read...
posted by :
8/3/2007 4:49:42 PM
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where he doesn't aound like an asshole.
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COMMENT | Fuckin typos
posted by :
8/3/2007 4:51:12 PM
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"sound" not "aound"
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COMMENT | Environment
posted by :
8/3/2007 4:51:14 PM
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Look at the Osbourne kids, then look at Gene's kids. Kids do what they see, not just celebrities either, everyday people. Seems Gene gets blasted for being greedy, but like him or not, that dude is all business and a great father.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/3/2007 5:01:50 PM
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i dont really think we need a reunion for now .. plus its not like the new band members are poop.
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COMMENT | gene is a addick himself
posted by :
8/3/2007 5:03:02 PM
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he is addicted to money and cheating on his girlfriend..to me that is sicker than drugs or booze..what a chump he is..
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COMMENT | wow.........
posted by : red shark
8/3/2007 5:14:10 PM
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I love them to death. But I don't want them to die on tour.
Like that "thing" thats attached to your head there. Tour bus must have ran over that squirrel in Texas on the last one.
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COMMENT |
posted by : KISSman24
8/3/2007 5:21:09 PM
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Peter sucks. I like Ace, but I don't want him back in KISS anymore.
Gene was being kind. Neither of them can play very well anymore.
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COMMENT | Patti
posted by : RunningWildOn47th
8/3/2007 5:37:50 PM
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"Uh, let's see...Peter Criss has been sober for YEARS Gene."
Uh, he acknowledged that. Why did you skip the point he makes right afterwards in your little anti-Gene whinefest? He said he doesn't care if they're sober now, 30 years of abuse will take its toll and their bodies will never be like they were never abused.
Makes sense to me. I'm sorry if it doesn't to you.
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COMMENT | LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR
posted by : THRASHMONGER
8/3/2007 5:42:05 PM
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Peter QUIT, and Ace QUIT.
Peter quit the first time because, as he said, he was nearing a nervous breakdown. Ace quit the first time because he was sick of Gene and Paul's shit, and they BEGGED him to stay, that's well-documented in many interviews, about how they offered for Ace to do his own solo thing but "don't leave the family" etc. Both Peter and Ace quit after the "reunion" tour because of the inequitable money split.
GENE IS A LYING SACK OF CASH. Fuck you Gene. You killed KISS.
I'll say it every time: KISS now is nothing more than a highly authentic KISS tribute band. KISS is dead to me. And yes, I'll be buying Kissology Vol 2.
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COMMENT | Noisecommando
posted by : RunningWildOn47th
8/3/2007 5:44:40 PM
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"It's actually pathetic when you think of it, but hey we're talking about the brand Ki$$ here."
I'd think the word "pathetic" would apply more to a 9-to-5'er who can barely afford his Honda Civic, spending any amount of time complaining on message boards about Gene Simmons' $ucce$$ and how he got there.
All of you complaining about Gene's love of money... when was the last time you turned down a legally-obtained $100 bill, simply because you didn't need it?
What? No one? Is that because you need it and he doesn't? Well, that's relative, isn't it? Because there's a hobo across the street begging for change who might disagree with just how much you need it. Just as you disagree about Gene's need for a little extra money.
At the end of the day, you will all take whatever you can get. You're just pissed off that Gene can get more than you can.
Recognize where the jealousy lies, and you will be that much closer to a life with just a li'l less bitterness, and a li'l more joy.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/3/2007 5:50:03 PM
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All of you complaining about Gene's love of money... when was the last time you turned down a legally-obtained $100 bill, simply because you didn't need it?
there´s a difference. people really like money, no one HATES money. the problem is when you WORSHIP money and you are a slave to it.
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COMMENT | Zodiac D: The Rebirth
posted by : RunningWildOn47th
8/3/2007 5:58:52 PM
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"there´s a difference. people really like money, no one HATES money. the problem is when you WORSHIP money and you are a slave to it."
And who are you to say that Gene likes money more than the next guy? Are you a psychiatrist, and have you had personal sessions with the man?
Or did you just see Ki$$ lunchboxes at Walmart and decide you wanted to hate this man for all the things he has that you don't?
Don't like being judged by a stranger via long-distance media? Think it's unfair of me to paint that kind of portrait of you? Good, because it damn well IS unfair of me to do so, just as it is you when you share opinions about Gene's personality and psychological profile like you actually know the guy.
All I see is a guy who says YES when his management proposes new ways to make money that don't involve hurting anyone. Tell me again how you'd say no to a little more money, then ask me if I believe you.
G'wan. Go ahead. ;)
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COMMENT |
posted by : SchecterShredder
8/3/2007 6:16:52 PM
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I must admit. Gene's kids are very eloquent spoken and well behaved for their age. Kudos to the 'rents there. Not like Ozzy's messed up kids. And he's right, drinking and drugging in excess will ultimately lead to your demise. But Gene, don't turn your back on Ace and Peter. Ace has cleaned himself up nicely. I think he wants Kiss back, and he's proving it. Pay attention please. Now Peter, he seems maybe too old and broken down now. I dunno. I'd still go see the original KISS in a heartbeat.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/3/2007 6:47:44 PM
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sometimes gene says something smart in between his asshole statements, and this thing about the kids is kinda dead on. now about the band... Peter cannot physicaly perform for the length of a tour. He IS the oldest guy in Kiss, and right now is about 61 or 62 years old. Pete has to put his entire arms up to his elbows in ice after most every performance. This same thing could happen to anybody, it's called aging. However, Pete should have better playing techniqe to compensate. Ace is a harder one to pin down. Can he still play or is he just too lazy/fucked up play really well?
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COMMENT |
posted by : RiotAct666
8/3/2007 7:19:47 PM
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Interesting
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COMMENT | Dealing with Gene Simmons would make anyone drink
posted by :
8/3/2007 7:22:00 PM
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Dealing with Gene would make anyone drink.
Apart from that he's right on some things, but he misses the larger point that
there are people in this world that do not think like he does. They are just as right as he is.
Gene likes to lord the drug thing over Ace and Peter, but that only makes him right about that particular situation with those particular people. There area plenty of people that have had no problems with drugs. Also, because he might be right about Ace and Peter does NOT make him right about every subject on the face of the earth.
Just ask Paul Stanley.
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COMMENT | SchecterShredder
posted by : Hawkwinder
8/3/2007 7:30:30 PM
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You seem to think that parents are the reason the way kids turn out the way they do. I suppose you look down on Sharon. Then you probably blame Don Arden the way she turned out. OK, bad example. Never mind, I shouldn't have brought it up.
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COMMENT |
posted by : battery666
8/3/2007 7:38:41 PM
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Ace Frehley and Peter Criss rule.
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COMMENT | Well
posted by : Lorn
8/3/2007 7:45:03 PM
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The thing about the kids is great, but the fact is Gene built his career on drugs and alcohol. He may come off now saying "I never" this and that, but back in the early days of kiss he didn't speak out about it that much and even encouraged it. Unless it has been recently edited or something, all you have to do is go listen to KISS ALIVE I. There is some crowd banter in there between Paul and the crowd where Paul goes back and forth saying stuff like "How many of you, LIKE TO GET HIGH!!" "How many of you, like tequila?" etc., and GENE and the rest of the band play along and do little exited solo's and stuff to what Paul is saying and the crowd's reaction. So Gene may have always been totally against such stuff, and maybe he has never been drunk or high (I think he could use a good hit or two from a joint), but he certainly has "used" the image and popularity of drugs and alcohol when it suited him.
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COMMENT | Too much.
posted by :
8/3/2007 9:07:13 PM
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"Everybody cares about Ace and Peter. I love them to death. But I don't want them to die on tour."
Funny, didn't Paul Stanley almost "die on tour" recently?
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COMMENT |
posted by : SchecterShredder
8/3/2007 9:09:33 PM
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You show me one bit of proof Gene Simmons EVER endorsed drug or alcohol usage, even back in the day. I demand a link or shut your fucking mouth. Moron.
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COMMENT |
posted by : SchecterShredder
8/3/2007 9:11:27 PM
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Paul has a medical condition that hopefully can be treated with medication and a little more rest. The guy busted his ass for us over the years. Show some Goddamned respect.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/3/2007 9:18:52 PM
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who is gene simmons?
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COMMENT | Paul and Gene
posted by : Motorvenom
8/3/2007 10:08:03 PM
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Are the reason that Ace and Peter might have a paycheck to crawl back to in times of need. They kept KISS a functioning machine when had everything (I.e. responsibility) been equally shared Ace and Peter would have ruined the KISS machine, I get that idealist would have preferred that to have happened and not been left with memories of some less than questionable tours and attempts at relevancy in the 80's, boo hoo, ideals meet reality and reality wins, that's called life kids grow up.
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COMMENT | Then Why Gene...
posted by : podoshj
8/4/2007 12:48:12 AM
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If you're so against alcohol, why did you do the ads for Miller Lite? Money before integrity I guess.
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COMMENT | gene did something for miller lite?
posted by :
8/4/2007 12:58:02 AM
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although i like kiss i thought i remember gene saying he would never do a commercial or endorse anything involving cigs,alcohol or drugs.if this is true then gene is a fucking liar.
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COMMENT | say what u want, but Gene is HIGHLY successful
posted by :
8/4/2007 2:13:20 AM
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Where as Ace & Peter are not. I've been in bands where alcohol & drugs destoyed the band. I've also had wonderful relationships with girls that got destroyed by their alcohol & drug abuse.
EVERY situation is different. Sometimes drugs & alcohol ADD to the creative genious of bands, sometimes it destroys it.
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COMMENT | Who wrote the songs?
posted by :
8/4/2007 2:15:09 AM
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Anybody who sits down and analyzes all the songwriting credits, both on the sleeve and by studying 'kisstory' will realize that Gene was the most insignificant songwriter in the band. No doubt about it. Peter wasn't great, but look what Beth did for their success, and Hard Luck Woman for that matter. Just about every kick ass riff came from Paul and Ace.
Everybody who has any interest in Kiss at all should read "Kiss & Sell."
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COMMENT | kiss and sell
posted by :
8/4/2007 4:26:10 AM
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i've read it.real good book.lots of interesting info.kiss was near broke all through the 80's......
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COMMENT |
posted by : MarkTexas
8/4/2007 5:32:14 AM
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idiot
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COMMENT |
posted by : JO JO
8/4/2007 2:56:41 PM
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"Everybody cares about Ace and Peter. I love them to death. But I don't want them to die on tour."
Funny, didn't Paul Stanley almost "die on tour" recently?
- -
"Paul has a medical condition that hopefully can be treated with medication and a little more rest. The guy busted his ass for us over the years. Show some Goddamned respect"
- - - - - - - -
I didn't take this as disrespect at all. He's right. Paul is not in great health these days. God forbid something happens to him while on a greuling tour. The word funny might not have been the best choice.
Ace isn't being rushed to the hospital and neither is Peter. They've been more active recently than they have been in years.
They're hard for Gene to deal with. That's cool. Gene's all business and I respect him for what he is. But dredging up the old drug addict line yet again is getting OLD.
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COMMENT | RunningWildOn47th
posted by :
8/4/2007 7:20:34 PM
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And who are you to say that Gene likes money more than the next guy? Are you a psychiatrist, and have you had personal sessions with the man?
Or did you just see Ki$$ lunchboxes at Walmart and decide you wanted to hate this man for all the things he has that you don't?
Misguided. If you see, I never claimed Gene liked money more than anyone else, nor that I was a psychiatrist (not that it really matters, but you can tell who´s a slave to money without being a psychiatrist pretty good). I also never said I hated KISS or ever seen lunchboxes or walmart or whatever. Gene? He´s irritating to me most of the time. I can give two shits whether you think I´m jealous of Gene, frankly. Is it unfair for you to judge? Maybe, but it´s stupid to dwell on it. People always judge. Deal with it. If youre a celebrity, you will be judged. Deal with it. I doubt Gene gives a shit what you claim I think about him, and even if he did, I strongly doubt he needs you as his protector.
"All I see is a guy who says YES when his management proposes new ways to make money that don't involve hurting anyone. "
So it´s totally fair to make character judgements as long as theyre positive? Your judgement of him as a guy who finds new ways of making money as long as they dont hurt anyone is as valid as anyone´s judgement of him being a greedy asshole period.
"Tell me again how you'd say no to a little more money, then ask me if I believe you. "
again, I never said I would turn down money for no good reason. You again, completely miss the point. I guess I´ll sum it up real quick so you can understand: my point is that the reason Gene gets shit is cause people think he gives money importance over everything or at least way too many things in life. The fact that someone accepts 1000 bucks doesnt mean they worship money over anything else.
You seem fairly intelligent or at least eloquent, so I hope you get what I´m saying here.
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COMMENT | to clarify
posted by :
8/4/2007 7:22:47 PM
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i think gene is irritating like that relative youre nto really related to who shows up at family events and is an asshole for a little, but you really dont achieve any sort of hate and strong emotion...just a small, momentary thing...irritating
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COMMENT | "He later went on to reveal that ice is cold and the sky is blue"
posted by :
8/4/2007 10:57:01 PM
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Is this news? I mean, is there anyone on earth who didn't already know this? Seriously. As for Gene not drinking, same thing with Ted Nugent-it's because they know they can't control themselves and that their real self will rear its ugly head after a few too many drinks. Always be weary of people like that. You learn a lot about someone when they have their defenses down.
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COMMENT | HOT AIR .......
posted by :
8/4/2007 11:28:41 PM
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KISS WAS AT THIER SUCCESS PEAK, AND MAXED OUT IN 1977, AFTER THAT WAS LIVE LP'S, AND GREATEST HITS, LPS. FOLLOWED BY TOTAL GARBAGE. ACE, PETER, GENE, AND PAUL MADE THE MAGIC IN THE 70'S, THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS. HEY GENE "SEX,DRUGS,& ROCK N ROLL" IS THE NAME OF THE GAME, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, QUIT YOUR DAY JOB ! YOU KNOW ACE & PETER HELPED PAY YOUR BILLS, AND FEED YOUR LIFESTYLE, AND STILL DO.
ACE FREHLEY RULES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
8/5/2007 6:50:14 PM
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I wish I could be half the "hack" that Gene is......... then I'd only be worth about $100mil...... lol
I prefer KISS with Bruce ... Asylum and Carnival of Souls are by far my favs.....
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COMMENT | Gene Is So Awesome
posted by :
8/6/2007 2:09:28 PM
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I swear, I'll meet him one day. lol.
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