“ROCK IS DEAD – that was the headline in a recent interview I did, of course, taken out of context. That’s okay.
It’s still true.
Name a rock band in the last 30 years that has risen to iconic level. Nirvana? Anyone else?
Name iconic rock acts in the first 30 years – from 1958 through 1988 – ELVIS, THE BEATLES, THE STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD, SPRINGSTEEN, AC/DC, METALLICA and MOTOWN, and countless more.
Yesterday KISS headlined a terrific event called FASHION ROCKS. It was on CBS.
There were some terrific acts on the bill. Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, sure, band called Perry, and many more. Including hosting by Justin Bieber and various models.
Honestly, even though the event is called FASHION ROCKS, and even though KISS closed the show and headlined….. THIS WAS THE ONE AND ONLY ROCK BAND ON THE ENTIRE BILL.
Defense rests, your Honor.”
When I defended Gene SImmons about his “Rock his dead” comments, he said the same thing I said. In this day and age of the industry, the “iconic” status doesn’t go to rock acts anymore. The iconic “status” are going to pop, rap and country artists these days.
While I do agree that Nirvana was one of the only bands in the last 30 years who reached the iconic status… I can certainly name a few more… the Foo Fighters for starters. Pearl Jam is another one. Soundgarden? Metallica? Megadeth? Slayer? Radiohead? Red Hot Chilli Peppers?
Stone Temple Pilots had something going for their first couple of albums but their career went downhill later.
What can we do to make the music industry respect “rock n’ roll” again? The industry relies on pop, rap and country ’cause it sells. Rock doesn’t.
I hear him, though. Today’s industry is a joke… I’ve been saying it for a long time.
Like I said before, it’s getting tougher to buy good music ’cause pop music is dominating the industry like mad. I have a tough time trying to find new rock music that is good but I do happen to find good rock music lately like Black Label Society is a great band for example, they’re not really iconic yet but they’re fantastic. I love Zakk Wylde’s guitar playing and songwriting.
A metal band called, Ghost. B.C., is pretty new and they are a great band who deserves mainstream success but we know they’ll never get it.
Blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, deserves mainstream success ’cause he’s a killer guitar player!!! He’s so underrated, he’ll never get the mainstream success ’cause nobody cares about the blues. He throws some rock n’ roll into his music too.
I’ve been saying this stuff for a long time that rock n’ roll will NEVER get mainstream again. Gene is so right!!! Get over it!
Kev
K'Brocking 
He is still saying “Rock is dead” and it is not. It may not be the dominating force it once was, but it is still far from dead. Duran Duran was there. They fall under the genre of “rock”. Gene is an idiot.
I think when Gene says “rock”, what he really means id AOR. Just one small part of the very braos spectrum that is Rock.
You still don’t get what he’s saying, though. He knows that there are still rock bands… the simple point he’s trying to make is it’s hard for rock bands to get the “iconic” status. That is what killed rock music and I agree.
Kev
If you actually read what he’s trying to say, you’d understand him. I think everybody understands what he’s saying… people continue to bash him anyway ’cause he’s Gene Simmons. He has every right to an opinion like we all do.
Kev
braos = broad
I know what the hell he is TRYING to say, but what he is actually saying is completely different and WRONG. That’s why he is back pedaling and explaining himself. Because he is an idiot. And he’s just upset that he isn’t in the spotlight anymore.
Haha… I just love it when people make claims that Kiss isn’t in the spotlight anymore. They just finally made the rock n’ roll hall of fame. That’s all you really need to get in the spotlight so he’s all good!!!
Kev