Gene Simmons

[Heathray]

Err number one rock bass man? My arse!! Entwhistle, John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee..........

Off stage Simmons is Mr Respectable businessman, all blazers and cravates.
He is married to Playboy legend Shannon Tweed. Lucky barsteward.

[Rude Boy]

Christ...Entwistle..."Thunderfingers!" I'll also nominate the mighty Geezer Butler and a personal fave...Alan Davey of Hawkwind. Bass Gods...all of 'em.

[MegaTon]

and what about Phil Lynott! Thin Lizzy great band!

[Fred]

Derek Smalls. Jazz Odyssey is a must.

[chatterji]

Completely agree. Simmons is an utter twat, and to be pitied rather than revered. In terms of his alleged musicianship, don't make me laugh.

Sorry to disagree with the plaudits on this thread, but to me Kiss were and are utter shite. Boring, styleless, ridiculous, bland...in other words typical American "rock gods". Yet another Spinal Tap clone thinking it's Led Zep.

Some very funny cutting stuff about La Simmons written by the Christ's Hospital kids, on an 'underground' school website. Can't remember the URL, but worth a look. They reveal him to be the sad old man that he is.

[shock the monkey]

Gene isn't the greatest bass player but then he doesn't play in a prog-rock band. Kiss play 3 chord rock and roll.
I think you've missed the point about 70's Kiss who were really the first true stadium rock band who put on a show involving pyro-technics, light shows etc.
To call them a Led Zep clone leads me to believe you haven't actually heard the music of either band. Kiss had more in common with Slade or Alice Cooper (the band not the singer) than Led Zeppelin.

[steve56]

the only kiss songs any good were is that you?;shout it out loud&detroit rock city.

[Rude Boy]

Yes, Kiss are totally tongue in cheek. When they tried a "Serious" album in "The Elder" (Which I personally thought was really cool) it was a flop and they went back to rock'n'roll basics with the ass-kicking "Creatures Of The Night" which features one of the best drum sounds captured on record.

Gene knows he isn't everbody's cup of tea but he can be incredibly funny. He is a king birder, a rock'n'roller and a complete breadhead so he's alright in my book. Also it's worth remembering he went to the US as a child with his mother and they were dirt poor...look at him now. It's a classic boy makes good story so for that alone he has my respect.

Kiss gave many bands their first big breaks through support slots including Rush and Iron Maiden and having read interviews with members of Rush and Maiden they make a point of saying how cool Kiss were to them and how much encouragement they offered.

Long live the "God Of Thunder!"

[shock the monkey]

At last, sense from someone who's actually heard the band and not bitter that there are some American bands who are better than UK ones. I'd rather see Van Halen, Kiss and Aerosmith than Led Zep, Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.

[steve56]

dont think i would ,im not a big zep fan rather have purple but these others are terrible.