While Gene Simmons continues to defend his recent statement that rock is dead, the KISS bassist has flip-flopped on his opinion regarding the legacy of 1990s superstars Nirvana.
In a 2013 interview with Team Rock Radio (audio below), Simmons shared his belief that rock icons were a thing of the past and that nothing beyond the 1980s has had a profile or lasting impact on future generations.
As for Nirvana’s legacy, Simmons said, "Kurt Cobain - no, that's one or two records, that's not enough. Amy Winehouse - that's one or two records, that's not enough. What, just 'cause you died that makes you an icon? No, no."
(Gene’s comments on Nirvana can be found at 8:20 in the interview below.)
Now, in a newly-published Esquire interview with his son, Nick Simmons, the 65-year-old repeats - verbatim - much of his philosophy about rock icons and says the Seattle group are the only act in the past 20 years to have a lasting impact. “Nirvana. That's about it. They are the notable exception,” commented Gene.
The senior Simmons failed to elaborate on what has changed his mind about Nirvana in the past year, although the band were inducted into the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame alongside KISS and others.
Simmons and Paul Stanley prevented a reunion and live performance of the original band at the event over a disagreement with Rock Hall organizers, who insisted that only the group’s original lineup be inducted, while the pair wanted all members from their 40-year history included.
Nirvana, meanwhile, closed the 2014 event with a raucous set as they were joined by a host of female singers for their induction performance.
Joan Jett opened the program with a searing rendition of the band’s signature tune, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”; Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth fame followed on “Aneurysm”; St. Vincent (a.k.a. Annie Clark) performed “Lithium”, and New Zealand pop sensation Lorde closed out the event with a version of “All Apologies.”
KISS recently wrapped up their summer dates with Def Leppard and are now on a 2-month break from live performances.
See also:
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