KISS bassist Gene Simmons has apologized for his recent remarks regarding the mental health issue of depression.
The rocker has been widely criticized for making insensitive comments about depression and suicide after a recent interview surfaced where he told sufferers “f*** you, then kill yourself”.
“I want to make this statement about my views on depression for the record and to clarify my prior remarks,” posted Simmons on his website and Facebook page. “To the extent my comments reported by the media speak of depression, I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.”
“I have never sugarcoated my feelings regarding drug use and alcoholics,” he continued. “Somewhere along the line, my intention of speaking in very directly and perhaps politically incorrectly about drug use and alcoholics has been misconstrued as vile commentary on depression. Unkind statements about depression was certainly never my intention. Fully, you will know that and I do not intend to defend myself here and now, by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with. Rather, I simply want to be clear that my heart goes out to anyone suffering from depression and I deeply regret any offhand remarks in the heat of an interview that might have suggested otherwise.”
KISS are facing a ban by some radio stations in response to Simmons’ comments, and the hashtag #BanGene is trending on Twitter – read more details about it here.
KISS are currently playing shows across North America with Def Leppard on a summer tour that will wrap up in Houston, Texas at the end of the month.
See also:
KISS face radio ban following suicide comments by Gene Simmons
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Search KISS at hennemusic
