KISS Unhappy With Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

KISS bassist Gene Simmons Unhappy With Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

posted Nov 21, 2008 at 8:45 AM by Diamond Oz. (66 Comments)

Band Photo: Metallica (?)

Gene Simmons, the iconic bassist for rock legends KISS recently spoke about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his unhappiness that KISS has, to date, not been included.

"There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bands in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but not KISS," the band's outspoken frontman said during a speech at the Billboard Touring Conference on Thursday. "I believe we have more gold records in America than any other group, but it's OK."

The band is not among the nine acts on this year's shortlist, which includes metal icons Metallica, rock guitarist Jeff Beck, and soul singer Bobby Womack. The final five, determined by a ballot of more than 500 industry voters, will be announced in January, ahead of the 24th annual induction ceremony in Cleveland on April 4.

Regarding the top officials of the Hall of Fame's foundation, Simmons said: "A lot of those guys on the board can go and get my sandwich when I want, and I mean that in the nicest way," he said.

The speech was filmed for an episode of his reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, currently in its third season on the A&E cable channel.

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66 Comments on "KISS Unhappy With Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"

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1. HippyMetal writes:

Gene can go jump in the line of traffic.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:22 AM ET | IP Logged

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2. brandedcfh420 writes:

FUK KISS AND FUK GENE SIMMONS!!!! I WILL THROW A HUGE PARTY THE DAY THAT GENE SIMMONS DIES!!!!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:31 AM ET | IP Logged

3. ten dead gods writes:

KISS=all fluff no substance!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:44 AM ET | IP Logged

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4. brandedcfh420 writes:

wuhahahahahahah @ ten!!!!!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:45 AM ET | IP Logged

5. MAW writes:

Say what you want about KISS.. Gene's right, there is no good reason they are not in the RRHOF. That place is full of no substance, bullsh** bands that aren't even close to the same league as KISS.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:00 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

6. Blindgreed1 writes:

Why does Gene care? There is no money to be made off it... Wait, Gene will find a way to make money off it. What the hell was I thinking?

Branded: Maybe they're waiting for your party to announce their induction. lol.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:13 AM ET | IP Logged

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7. brandedcfh420 writes:

well, better get on it then!!!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:14 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

8. Diamond Oz writes:

Love them or hate them, if there's a rock and roll hall of fame KISS deserves to be in it.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:25 AM ET | IP Logged

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9. brandedcfh420 writes:

i agree oz, kiss will make it one day, but i just cant stand ol gene!!!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:29 AM ET | IP Logged

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10. Jake.Shall.Perish writes:

I agree with Oz, branded YET AGAIN has a terrible opinion. i do not like KISS, but I think that they deserve it more than any band right now.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:30 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

11. Blindgreed1 writes:

Oz: I'll go along with that. My band is picking up a few cover songs to play a marathon gig next month and one of the songs we're doing is "She". I was suprized that my boys were having so many problems getting it to sound good, but they really struggled with it. It's one of those songs that there is nothing difficult about it, but it has to be UBER tight in order to pull it off. In addition, they used a strange tuning and that added to the frustration. After 3 or 4 tries we finally nailed it, but I never expected it to take that long. I mean... It's KISS. We picked up Baba O'Reily by the WHO quicker than we did She by KISS. Crazy...

NP: The Fallen Pt. 2 - Mushroomhead.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:36 AM ET | IP Logged

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12. Blindgreed1 writes:

Jake: Are you smitten by branded? He agreed with Oz and yet you still feel the need to call him out?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:37 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

13. brandedcfh420 writes:

what a lil gay a$$ b1tch...i hate kiss with all my soul. i guess he does have a boner for me!!! has to follow me everywhere to sh1ttalk me about my posts...what a loser....i hate kiss jake, HATE HATE HATE HATE KISS!!! BUT THERE IS NO DENYING THEY WILL BE IN THE RRHOF....

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:42 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

14. Diamond Oz writes:

I wouldn't say Branded has a terrible opinion, just that he's very vocal about his opinions and there's nothing wrong with that, it's what metal's all about!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:45 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

15. brandedcfh420 writes:

o and oz, look up the band ledyard!!! kik a$$ band!! listen to the song sky burns red by them and tell me what you think of them!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:50 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

16. Blindgreed1 writes:

Oz: I'm going to Mushroomhead next week with a friend of mine (who writes reviews locally). We're going back stage to get an interview and party. Would you be interested in the story?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:53 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

17. Diamond Oz writes:

I'm sure we would! You're probably best of talking to Deathbringer about that though.

Thanks for the tip Branded, I'm currently listening to a band called Orange Sky. Reggae metal, it's pretty good!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:57 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

18. brandedcfh420 writes:

ill look into them! orange sky..thats a unique name!!

and blind, dont forget about toxiktunescom...i left out the dot so it wouldnt be flagged and have to wait hours for it to be posted. im in there now jammin out to some damn good metal. this station is the best online metal channel i have ever listened to. chat with djs, request songs, etc....love the place

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:06 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

19. brandedcfh420 writes:

oz, got some orange sky in my d/l program lined up, waiting for them to start d/l...who would you compare them to?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:15 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

20. Blindgreed1 writes:

branded: I'll check it out later bro. I can't stream from here because it takes up too much band width. ;-) Thanks for the heads up.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:19 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

21. Diamond Oz writes:

I guess the closest thing would be Skindred but they don't really sound like them if ya get me. They put a different spin on the reggae metal dealio. Quite a unique band.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:23 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

22. brandedcfh420 writes:

no worries, and be sure to get with one of these djs: hammer, monkey, booti. one of them would love to have a cd or 2 of your music to play on there.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:25 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

23. That_One_Guy writes:

I can't f***ing stand Gene Simmons, he's a money-hungry power whore.. but I like KISS, and it's a shame that they haven't been nominated.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:30 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

24. Blindgreed1 writes:

TOG: Mornin brother. How's it going?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:34 AM ET | IP Logged

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25. brandedcfh420 writes:

yo tog how you been doing sir?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:37 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

26. americanpatriot1 writes:

Gene is a douche. Always has been, always will be. I think the legacy of KISS should be in the RRHOF, but not the egos. Gene can build his own museum for that one. I'm sure it'd be huge. How is everyone this fine day?

NP: Static X= Bled For Days

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:44 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

27. That_One_Guy writes:

Been doing okay, how have all of you been?

AP: Gene would build his own pyramid for a tomb if he could, I'm sure of it. And he'd have giant flashing lights spelling out his name on every side.

Now playing: Megadeth - "Good Mourning / Black Friday"

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:49 AM ET | IP Logged

28. Bruno Hockalugie writes:

Iconic bassist?!?! Who are they kinding! Iconic tongue, maybe.

Disco bands are in the Rock Hall of Fame? I thought Kissco would be included in them. No wonder they are p***ed. They spent the money from that cash-grab and now want to be recognized for it?
Gimme a break.

Now playing- KISSCO I was meant for lovin you baby

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:04 PM ET | IP Logged

29. Bruno H writes:

kidding+kidding VEY DRunk

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:05 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

30. Blindgreed1 writes:

AP and TOG: I am well. I think you're both right. I think Gene will build a museum out of his tomb and charge $300.00 per ticket to view the museum, but an additional $1000.00 will be required to actually see his resting place. ;-)

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:06 PM ET | IP Logged

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31. That_One_Guy writes:

Blindgreed -- Yeah, just another way to make some cash..

Now playing: Pantera - "Hellbound"

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:09 PM ET | IP Logged

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32. americanpatriot1 writes:

TOG, if I were doing any better, I would need 2 of me.

NP: Static X= Otsegolation

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:11 PM ET | IP Logged

33. Kali writes:

Shut the fvck up, Kiss!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:19 PM ET | IP Logged

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34. That_One_Guy writes:

I wouldn't mind a clone of my own! Lol.

Now playing: Pantera - "Revolution Is My Name"

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:23 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

35. Blindgreed1 writes:

Kali: Don't be so shy. Tell us how you REALLY feel. lol.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:03 PM ET | IP Logged

36. Kali writes:

If Kiss deserved to be in the Rock Hall of fame they would be there! Ah... but alas Kiss, and Simmons fvcking suck!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:06 PM ET | IP Logged

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37. ZT writes:

UFO deserves to be in the R&R Hall of fame way more than f***ing Piss.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:13 PM ET | IP Logged

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38. bbristowe writes:

hahaha. Most arrogant statement. oh Gene.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:14 PM ET | IP Logged

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39. Blindgreed1 writes:

Kali: Not necesscelery. They induct bands into that thing much the same way they award grammy's. Jethro Tull is metal?

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:33 PM ET | IP Logged

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40. BrunoHockalugie writes:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is about as rock and roll as the Village People.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:45 PM ET | IP Logged

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41. That_One_Guy writes:

Lmao, Bruno!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:52 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

42. GoreGrinder writes:

Gene is a joke!!! He's probably mad cuz he doesn't own the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!
Np - Suffocation - "Involuntary Slaughter"

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:59 PM ET | IP Logged

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43. brandedcfh420 writes:

wuhahahahaha, good one grinder....

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 2:00 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

44. That_One_Guy writes:

If he did, it'd be the Gene Simmons Hall of Fame. He'd kick all other bands out of it and build his own museum with giant posters of him on every wall. Then he'd charge $300 for people to see all his KISS merchandise. Lol, I hate him.

Now playing: Old Man's Child - "Black Seeds On Virgin Soil"

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 2:06 PM ET | IP Logged

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45. ZT writes:

There are disco bands(Dynasty) rap bands(his a$$hole solo album), Yiddish folk song bands(Music From The Elder) in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but not KISS,"

Hypocrite.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 2:11 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

46. Dee writes:

KISS should be considered but if not, then oh well. You can't have everything. You win some & lose some. Nuff said. Basically, i'm just tired of Gene talking s**t. He needs to shut the f**k up sometimes.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 2:18 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

47. Netromancer writes:

Can't wait for the speech where he tells us all how he invented Rock n' Roll. And then tries to patent it. And then tries to charge us all for listening to his music. Then sues for money cause Rock n' Roll is in the museum title. KISS was my first concert at age 13, had a blast, but man, the guy just digs himself too much for such a mediocre bassist. Should KISS be inducted, I think so, on longevity alone. The guys put on a hell of a show. But the ego sometimes makes me want to puke.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 3:55 PM ET | IP Logged

48. Kali writes:

^Yeah, but if you have seen Kiss live once, ya seen the same thing they have been doing all of their carrer.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 4:04 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

49. soltake writes:

Madonna gets in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...but KISS don't? Seriously whatever you think of Gene you have to agree that that is pretty messed up.
P.S. I'm a long time lurker who finally decided to sign up here so hello everybody!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 4:11 PM ET | IP Logged

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50. b12 writes:

im pretty sure rush should be in before these gaggle of maggots

just my thought

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 4:36 PM ET | IP Logged

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51. Netromancer writes:

Have to agree, Rush at least has an original sound and much more musical talent.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 5:00 PM ET | IP Logged

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52. brandedcfh420 writes:

ya know i just realized something about this article....the headline says KISS, but as usual its only gene talking...where are the other members of KISS on this one?!?!?!?!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 6:34 PM ET | IP Logged

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53. bbristowe writes:

Kiss has 4 letters. So does Gene. Coincidence? Highly doubtful. It was genes marketing scheme all along. He did Disco and Rock. RATM = Rap and Rock. HISTORY REPEATS.

In all fairness though, I love family jewels.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 6:40 PM ET | IP Logged

54. Kali writes:

O.k, Korndogg. Glad to hear that! I was worried ther! Hahaha!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 7:55 PM ET | IP Logged

55. warlock writes:

What's wrong Gene? Can't make any money off of the RnR Hall Of Fame? ***Hey look at that big hot air balloon...oh that's just Gene's head.

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:45 PM ET | IP Logged

56. warlock writes:

P.S. Seriously, we all know how great KISS is. (Gene keeps telling us.)

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:48 PM ET | IP Logged

57. Kali writes:

*LMAO* I will drink to that, Warlock! How goes it by the way?!

# Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:53 PM ET | IP Logged

58. The Spartan writes:

KISS aint metal...they are the gateway drug into real metal. And how serious can a RRHOF really be? It's in frigging Cleveland! Cleveland? Where the rivers catch fire and the leading growth industry is 7-11 stickups. The only place a metal band should be inducted is Birmingham England, preferrably housed in a smoky, loud, hot, functioning steel mill - the inspiration for heavy metal. NO GLAM BANDS ALLOWED!!!!

# Nov 24, 2008 @ 9:55 AM ET | IP Logged

Supporter

59. cruor writes:

Awww whats the matter Gene? The billions of dollars you made of merchandising alone not making you happy anymore? Are the thousands of women you get in a year not keeping you entertained anymore? Seems kind of petty if you ask me.

Maybe your not in the Hall of Fame because your a great stage performer and a cool gimmick but a horrible musician in a boring band.

Now Playing: Mortiis- Army of Conquest

# Nov 24, 2008 @ 3:40 PM ET | IP Logged

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60. That_One_Guy writes:

I wasn't aware that Rush wasn't in the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. Come to think of it, I'm not sure Deep Purple is either..?

# Nov 26, 2008 @ 11:58 AM ET | IP Logged

61. \m/etalBro4Life writes:

Gene Simmons needs to shut the f*** up already! KISS f***in' suck! Everyone complains that Metallica sells out, but what about KISS? They put out a f***in' DISCO ALBUM!!!!!! How goddamn gay is that? And I won't bring up all that sh**ty merchandising bullsh** - a KISS casket? KISS condoms? - or that KISS Meets the Phantom movie.

f*** KISS!

# Dec 8, 2008 @ 10:15 PM ET | IP Logged

Writer, Reviewer

62. psythe writes:

Let's go back a bit here: Orange Sky, you say? I f***ing LOVE reggae metal! Dudes, tell me more! :D

Oh, and Simmons, blow it out your mule.

...and while you're doing that, figure out what it means for me lol

# Dec 9, 2008 @ 5:51 AM ET | IP Logged

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63. Netromancer writes:

The Rock n' Roll hall of fame is a travesty. The list of legendary acts not in there is staggering.

# Dec 9, 2008 @ 12:45 PM ET | IP Logged

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64. Netromancer writes:

To clarify, when I say "Legendary" I'm not particularly talking about KISS.

# Dec 9, 2008 @ 12:46 PM ET | IP Logged

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65. metalheaddrummer101 writes:

EPIC FAIL KISS!

# Dec 9, 2008 @ 2:35 PM ET | IP Logged

Supporter

66. Crushem writes:

Honestly, The only thing KISS ever had going for them is an extravagant live show. They were a huge cultural phenomenon back in the day and should be recognized for it, but their music wasn't great. They weren't terrible musically, but it just doesn't stand out at all. Not Hall of Fame worthy in my book. And yeah, Gene's a d***.

# Dec 9, 2008 @ 4:48 PM ET | IP Logged

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KISS bassist Gene Simmons Unhappy With Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

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