Gene Simmons claims 'rock is dead' & wants Lady Gaga to embrace the genre

He’s also hoping rap music will die a death

Published 18th Mar 2016

KISS bassist Gene Simmons has launched another one of his infamous tongue-lashings.

In a typically outspoken interview with Rolling Stone magazine, The Demon slammed rap music, reiterated his belief that rock music is over and heaped high praise on potential saviour Lady Gaga.

Echoing statements he made back in 2014, Gene lamented the state of guitar music today saying "as far as I'm concerned, rock is dead."

He clarified his statements, adding: "There ain't no new bands. Foo Fighters, I love 'em, but they're a 20-year-old band. These are long-in-the-tooth bands: Nirvana, Pearl Jam. They're old bands."

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Gene went on to explain that someone like Lady Gaga could inject some life into rock music if she changed her musical direction.

"That doesn't mean there's not new bands out there," he continued. "As far as I'm concerned, if Lady Gaga dropped the disco and the pole dancing and all that stuff and put together a rock band, that would be legitimate, because she's got the musical goods.

“She can write songs, play instruments and can actually sing. And she understands the fearless quality of spectacle. I'd love to see her do Queen-style music. She can do it. Madonna cannot."

Turning his attention to rap music, Gene said he was relishing the end of it: "I'm looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody, instead of just talking. A song, as far as I'm concerned, is by definition lyric and melody or just melody.

"Rap will die. Next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. And all that is good and healthy."