Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead, NIN for Dead Music Biz

Further proof that Gene Simmons was always a goon for the record industry.

Stop kidding yourselves, folks. The record industry, as it is now, needs to end. They've spent decades destroying good artists by bankrupting talent and tricking acts into signing malicious contracts. 99% of what they peddle is crap. Clear Channel, the national broadcasting lackeys of the industry, select watered-down tripe to sell us as "art."

Sure, file-sharing *may* be hurting the record industry. But it's been giving independent labels a huge boost, bringing acts to the mainstream that wouldn't be noticed just 20 years ago.

Big record labels have been stealing artists' music rights, then turning right around and suing regular folks for "stealing" music. The Beatles, inarguably the best-selling band of all time, don't own most of their music. Columbia Records does. And they've been selling the rights to The Beatles songs for use in crap like Coke commercials. And guess what Paul and Ringo get out of the deal? Mere fractions of pennies on the dollar for royalties, if any.

Gene Simmons is a multimillionaire. He should be making music because he loves it and he loves the fans' reactions to it. He's still in this for the buck, obviously, which does not make him an artist. It makes him a ho.

By the way... for someone ragging so hard on pop musicians (Madonna, Rihanna), he's sure buddy-buddy with Lady Gaga. HM. This entire thing sounds like a publicity stunt.

Too bad no one's listening to KISS anymore, eh? Motley Crue? What's that?

being in the music industry for 20 years or so and an artist myself, and someone who down loads. if your your passionate about your music, you will make good music , if you make music your life you will make great music. if you put out that music for free. the people will like it, and go to your concerts, buy your merch, buy your dvd , radio stations will play your songs etc. people will want you on there tv shows and movies. the artist for years never really made squat over album sales. only royalties and only if they had a good contract. so make great music , be passionate. and dont complain about down loads. talk to the homeless guy who p[lays for free on the street corner about what being a musican is really all about.

The record industry it's dead now? well, Kiss has been dead for almost 30 years. Simmons, you wont (haven't) be missed at all.
You should get a life, a real life that is.

Gene Simmons is just mad because radiohead can give its music away for free and still make more money than KISS. Besides, KISS does actually suck.

You people are idiots. Maybe it's not NIN, Greenday, or Radiohead. But alot of these punks are screwing up the music industry. And KISS aren't bad, they just have alot of respect for the music industry. And I so understand where Gene is coming from. And KISS are Gods by the way.

SORRY Gene, we aren't getting forced-fed the crap that the music industry was once forcing down America's throat.

I think Gene Simmons would have been successful in any career he chose. He is a careerist. Ego and money drive this man. Music is and was a vehicle. Don't kid yourself. These guys could spend the rest of their lives making music if they wanted to. To say that you will release an album only when the business gets sorted out, very clearly states motivation and priority. If Kiss embraced the idea of putting out an album online such as Radiohead did, I am sure people would download and pay. They have an Army for god's sake. And I am sure if the music was inspired and good they would be able to feel some pride of integrity once again... not to mention (I'm sure) some more $ Gene.

The early kiss is awesome in so many ways. Just the idea itself, and the mystique, the power, the show, and of course the music... The sound track. I totally agree this is a great rock and roll chapter. But... clearly they are not motivated to create music for the love of music. Maybe once upon a time, but this is not them any longer. And you know what, that's okay. You love and respect them for what they did. But to argue that today, or even 20 years ago, these guys were about MUSIC is a pretty tough sell. I am sure Gene would agree. And could care less.

File sharing and artist empowerment has not killed music. In fact if you are a real music fan and/or a musician, you are excited these days. It did change however a business model. The music business model. One that Gene is a staple in. Of course he hates this. Again... what's his motivation here? But for a marketing machine (selling branded caskets!) I'm really surprised he/they don't get this. Maybe a new management company is in order.

Music has always been the same. And it always will be. Integrity and authenticity are what drives some of us. Wealth and ego drive others of us. Some artists walk the edge of this divide. Some do it seamlessly. Some do it without knowing or caring. Kiss is not one of them. Gene Simmons should count his blessings and stick to reality TV.

Radiohead gives away their music because they can't sell it. KISS can still sell discs. Hard rock is back on the rise again and everything old is new again.

I've heard Radiohead... and they define SUCK.

Long live good hard rock!

Well... if it's on AOL, it must be true... lol.... Greed sucks.... all forms of it....

original kiss was great..gene stopped creating trends and started following trends sometime in the early 80's when they became an LA hair/glam band and lost that New York edge. All bands lose it sooner or later like their hair. Gene is right to be upset about lost income but to blame it on the messenger and not the method is again a failure on his part to see ahead of the curve. I love KISS but Gene is annoying.