Gene Simmons Proud Of Kiss Empire

Gene Simmons is "proud" of the KISS "empire".

The veteran musician can't understand why some bands refuse to endorse products and with his own group putting their name to over 3,000 different ventures, he believes they have properly embraced the spirit of the "music business".

Speaking on Absolute Classic Rock, he said: "The KISS empire really has become that, and it's unfortunate that a lot of bands have neglected to take care of it, because what we do is actually call it 'the music business', it's not called 'music', and intrinsically we understood that at the beginning."

"So, the KISS empire stretches over 3,000 licensed products, everything from condoms to caskets; we'll get you coming and we'll get you going. The KISS golf course is debuting in Las Vegas in a month."

"Across the street from the Hard Rock, and the KISS coffee houses are now a new franchise, and you can't imagine, there's a KISS Hello Kitty deal that launched in 90 countries just now, back to school items, bed sheets and all that."

"Now I'll grant you that a lot of bands may have a problem with that, I'm proud to do that, I want the next generation of kids starting at three years old to say, 'Mommy, I want KISS'".

The band value their loyal fans so much they got 3,000 of The KISS Army together and took them on a cruise through the Bahamas - and Gene doesn't think a group can ever undervalue their supporters.

Thanks for the report to ContactMusic.com.

Comments

[eclipse812]

Kudos to who wrote the article, that picture matches it perfectly imo

[boomhower52]

i remember when all i gave a shit about was money..

[nailsarecruel]

"I want the next generation of kids starting at three years old to say, 'Mommy, I want KISS'".

Enter KISS lipstick to turn that kiss into a KISS.

[bassmike200]

Well he's telling it like it is, you can't fault him for that!

[Lord_Doku]

KISS should stick to a laissez-faire stile of corporate policy. Let the fans decide if they deserve an 'empire'.

[Coolpix56]

nailsarecruel wrote:

"I want the next generation of kids starting at three years old to say, 'Mommy, I want KISS'".

Enter KISS lipstick to turn that kiss into a KISS.

A KISS within a kiss?

KISSception.

[DaniArrow]

Well you know... if I'd have spent my life on becoming a rich and famous rockstar and sell everything I can and by doing so accomplished what I wanted to accomplish, I'd be proud too. No mistake in that.

[Sparda93]

Eat your axe, Gene.

[chaossilvr]

OMcE96 wrote:

**** you gene simmons you grotty wanker , you truly are the arch enemy of punk

....clearly, when was KISS punk?
Yeah, Gene may be an idiot sometimes, but he had it right when he said it's actually the music "business".

[Samhuinn]

[IMG]it's not called 'music'[/IMG]

Atleast he got that part of KISS right ..

[Epiklesis]

Why most band neglect music buisness? I don't know, maybe cause they are artist who wants to be remember for their music and not the biggest douchebag of all time.

[Eirien]

The veteran musician...

I think at this point we should stop calling him a musician, he's known much better for being a business man. Not that I have a problem with that. He's totally honest about what his intentions are; to make lots and lots of money.

[Vinson]

Nothing wrong with what they accomplished. That it drove a couple members out I have issue with, but if you can make your music your living....more power to ya.

[chickenfoot]

Coolpix56 wrote:

nailsarecruel wrote:

"I want the next generation of kids starting at three years old to say, 'Mommy, I want KISS'".

Enter KISS lipstick to turn that kiss into a KISS.

A KISS within a kiss?

KISSception.

I lolled a bit

[Year Zero]

So Gene boned like 5,000 women in the day, Charlie Sheen's got him beat though with 10,000.

[Battman1993]

Gene Simmons is "proud" of the KISS "empire". with his own group putting their name to over 3,000 different ventures, he believes they have properly embraced the spirit of the "sellout".

Fixed

[Root Beer]

Aaaand it's news that Gene Simmons is an industry-ass-kissing dipshit now? Must be a slow day...

[wylde1994]

soon i reckon all that KISS will be remembered for is their merchandise rather than their music....shame :/

[Gee Halen]

Alright. KISS my ass.

[Iamtdawg]

Kiss off

[hazydavy]

Lord_Doku wrote:

KISS should stick to a laissez-faire stile of corporate policy. Let the fans decide if they deserve an 'empire'.

Obviously they do as that's what they've created. Say what you will about their music as art,but you can't deny their savvy when it comes to business. And you know damned well they've created some (some) good music.

[thegreasefire]

And Mr.Crabs strikes again!
This article made my day... haha

[nigeltheginger]

I thought they shot him in Libya a couple of weeks ago

[TheHawkdaddy]

Gene, just accept that the general public no longer gives a shit about KISS.

[Rebel Scum]

Sparda93 wrote:

Eat your axe, Gene.

Careful with that axe you-Gene

[X DogBert X]

I want the next generation of kids starting at three years old to say, 'Mommy, I want KISS'"

Wait, he thinks kids actually want to buy his cheap kiss backpacks and kiss pencils when they could be buying shit kids actually enjoy? He's seriously deluded if he thinks kids give a FUCK- about his band or his "empire". The only people in the world who give a **** about kiss are middle aged men who drink beer and think they're "rockstars". When these people die out the Kiss market will be worth absolutely nothing

[stompbox]

Dont for get Gene the fans gave there money to you they can also take it away dont let that big head get to damn big , and that also gose for any band out there what u give is what you get.....wake up call life calling....

[csrogers87]

I enjoy KISS for their music. sure none of the members are technically great at the instruments and most of the lyrics are cheesy to the max, but I grew up hearing them and I respect how long they have done it for. Each member of the band brought something different to the table. I honestly can't see why everyone hates on Gene for. The man is honest and speaks his mind. And he is a DAMN good business man. I can see why he wants KISS everywhere. Just look at say members of slipknot. they could have took their image and ran with it the same way. If you also have a certain image it goes hand in hand with getting heard. The only thing different is Gene stated up front he likes being rich. lol.

[swave75]

I am in the KISS Army. Gene is the man. So what if he is vocal about his money or empire.

[kratos379]

Being a musician is about making music. It's not about business. Business isn't entirely bad, since it does allow the musicians to focus only on music so that they don't have to get another job. However the main goal is to make something for people to enjoy, to push bounds, or to even change the way people think or feel about things. Business comes in a distant second to actually crafting art.

[Draconis93]

The veteran musician can't understand why some bands refuse to endorse products and with his own group putting their name to over 3,000 different ventures, he believes they have properly embraced the spirit of the "music business".

Idk about this, but maybe, JUST maybe, it's because those bands care more about the music. Not garden gnomes. Or coffins. Or chess sets. Or.....Kiss condoms. *shiver*

[iup788]

kratos379 wrote:

Being a musician is about making music. It's not about business. Business isn't entirely bad, since it does allow the musicians to focus only on music so that they don't have to get another job. However the main goal is to make something for people to enjoy, to push bounds, or to even change the way people think or feel about things. Business comes in a distant second to actually crafting art.

There is no "goal" of music. The goals of SOME musicians may be the same as the ones you stated, but the goals of KISS - have fun and make cash.

[Morgothik]

The best musicians would make music whether they ever made a dime or not. Gene Simmons would not.

[Rock-4-Life]

People need to take a step back and realize that, while KISS does have a large merchandise empire on top of their incredibly successful music; they still defined a generation, united the largest fan base of any band at the time (the KISS ARMY for any of those ignorant to it), and inspired thousands of musicians and hundreds of bands. The fact is that Gene is 100% correct in that music is a buisness and to controll a business you need to expand your product base to cater to the consumer. Not all bands seek to make money and sell their name on thousands of products, and this is thier choice as a band. In the end, people wanted KISS, and Gene happily provided.

[zomgguitarz1234]

iup788 wrote:

kratos379 wrote:

Being a musician is about making music. It's not about business. Business isn't entirely bad, since it does allow the musicians to focus only on music so that they don't have to get another job. However the main goal is to make something for people to enjoy, to push bounds, or to even change the way people think or feel about things. Business comes in a distant second to actually crafting art.

There is no "goal" of music. The goals of SOME musicians may be the same as the ones you stated, but the goals of KISS - have fun and make cash.

You know whats funny about people who say music shouldn't be about money?

The fact that it doesn't matter what your motive is as long as what you made doesn't sound like shit in the end.

I think Lulu was suppose to be about artistic experimenting, you know stretching your wings and being all 'artistic' like everyone says music should be about. However, lulu sucked and 90% of this forum agrees with me. How hypocritical of them.

[aig91]

Checked

[Root Beer]

Rebel Scum wrote:

Sparda93 wrote:

Eat your axe, Gene.

Careful with that axe you-Gene

This made my life.

[NoInnerKind]

Eirien wrote:

The veteran musician...

I think at this point we should stop calling him a musician, he's known much better for being a business man. Not that I have a problem with that. He's totally honest about what his intentions are; to make lots and lots of money.

That's what I was thinking. The man knows a lot about musical theory, but he's a mediocre bass player. But, that being said, the man could pull out your own kidney and then sell it back to you.

[hanselrocks1]

eclipse812 wrote:

Kudos to who wrote the article, that picture matches it perfectly imo

I was thinking the same haha. He's got his trollface on

[W>O]

Gee Halen wrote:

Alright. KISS my ass.

OHHH.. YEAAHHHH !! FATASS, he'll definitely kiss your FATASS.. hahahahahahahaha..

[blueghost]

is anything sacred to jew Gene? i hate kiss!!!!! they took something honest and perverted it please go away!!!!!

[starfire666]

"everything from condoms to caskets; we'll get you coming and we'll get you going" - hahaha, THIS

[sstony]

I think some of you haters have your tampons in the wrong hole. Kiss is this big because they have a massive fan base, if you don´t like what they have to offer don´t buy it or change the station, it´s that simple.

[RayToroIsAGod]

everything from condoms to caskets; we'll get you coming and we'll get you going.

This is actually hilarious.

[J0HNNYBR4V04756]

If you have a problem with putting a goddamn logo on a coffee cup or backpack or coffin, then you are the problem. You might not like them, but there are clearly people who do, so quit bitching about how some guy is putting a logo on something so people can buy it.

[RP75]

More like he's proud of the dollars.