Nikki Sixx launches attack on Gene Simmons for his controversial Prince comments

The Sixx:A.M. star hits out at Simmons despite his apology.

Published 12th May 2016

Nikki Sixx has slammed Gene Simmons for his controversial comments about Prince’s death saying, “he’s not my hero any more.”

Gene’s self-professed “big mouth” landed him trouble again on Tuesday when he said that Prince’s death was “a choice” and described it as “pathetic that (Prince) killed himself.”

In the wake of a huge backlash, including from his KISS band mate Paul Stanley, Simmons apologised for making the comments without knowing the true facts of Prince’s death.

“I don’t shy away from controversy, and angry critics really don’t bother me at all,” Simmons said on Twitter. “If I think I’m right, I’ll throw up a finger, dig my heels in and laugh. But this time, I was not. So, my apologies.”

Despite Simmons’ lengthy apology, Nikki Sixx has weighed into the whole furore with a strongly-worded tweet.

Sixx wrote: "(Gene Simmons') recent heartless and uneducated remarks about Prince's death shows why he's not my hero anymore or anybody's."

He then added the hashtag “#FromHeroToZero.”

Elsewhere, Gene Simmons’ wife Shannon Tweed has blasted Paul Stanley for apologising on Gene’s behalf.

Stanley tweeted on Tuesday: “Embarrassed by cold clueless statements re Prince's death. Without all the facts better to say nothing. My apologies.”

In a subtweet attack, Shannon Tweed has responded: “We ALL have our failings but true friends don't point at them & throw you under the bus! Especially partners of 40 years!”

In response, Stanley defending himself, writing: “Partners of 40 years says it all. Don't confuse walking under the bus with being thrown under. My apology was right.”