Gene Simmons was never in a rock band so I really fail to see how he's an expert on this particular subject.
Honestly, I'd say that rock is finally making a comeback, after the deathblow Nirvana dealt it in the early 90s. There are more and more bands like No Connection and Halestorm showing up that are heavily inspired by older rock, and making great new music.
Rock's not dead, it's just taking a nap. bands making a 'name' for themselves means little, since the media chooses what is markettable and what will become well-known. As long as legitimate talent is being ignored in favour of the canned, hydrogenised crap that best "sells" today, Rock doesn't want to be out. But nothing will stay dead, not when so many still appreciate good rock music.
Gene Simmons became irrelevant the moment he started caring more about money and putting the KISS name on everything. When he dies, I hope he rots in his KISS coffin. No, being a rockstar doesn't pay as much as it used to, but its still there for the people who care more about the music than money.
Rock is dead? good it can come back as something cooler like a zombie What has died which I think he is referring to is the 80's/90's broken business model where bands get signed for loads of money and over 90% of bands fail to recover the major labels money and bands often end up getting ripped off due to not owning the wrights to their own music. The internet has freed things up and people are no longer willing to spend £12.99 for an album and this lack of money has squeezed out the complacent cock-rock money-whores like the kiss bloke but the freeing up of things has given birth to a great independent scene with all sorts new avenues for bands to gain exposure, fans and money. I'm convinced that radio-play and the charts are miles away from a true reflection of what is listened to by the population at large (pop music) and if streaming was factored into the charts the Bieber's of this wouldn't make the top 100
Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera, Mudvayne and on and on all made names for themselves and have/had sustained long careers post-80's, as well as been highly influential in the metal scene. EVERY genre could be labeled "dead" - everything is diluted now due to the mass availability of anyone who posts media across the limitless platforms for free, and the major radio network basically being a monopoly. KISS was a giant of the industry for numerous reasons, and still is. But that time is gone, as it's no longer about fanbases or aniticipation of new albums/music like before, when it took time and serious effort to get music recorded and mastered, as well as distributed.
did you guys even bothered reading the article? think what you will about KISS but dude is on point and highlight the real concerns with the evolution of music today. its not so much as there's no good music out there, but how rock came about and how it affected pop culture is very different now. i dont actually think its dead - thats just hyperbole - but with youtube and the reality programs the focus is much more on presentation and packaging. thats whats hes talking about - where is the next bob dylan, or lou reed going to come from? it used to be record A&R were the tastemaker, so you'd send somebody to check out this guys gig, put a record out and hope for the best. there's no risk taking these days. youtube hits are already an indication of popularity so the masses immediately have a say on whats in and out and anything other than the mainstream is pushed to the periphery. TLDR, gens sucks but hes got a point.
Rock dead? What? Nickelback Monster Truck Three Days Grace Rise Against Linkin Park Kongos Slash Seether Etc...
You just negated your entire post... and then somehow redeemed it... ...... I'm never second guessing myself again.
This makes you both the best and the worst kind of music fan. To the industry it makes you the best because it means you have no particular taste (for lack of a better phrase) and will buy anything they throw out and tell you it's popular. To the bands out there trying to make it, you're the worst, because you are HIGHLY unlikely to buy albums or go to concerts because you only like one or two songs from any given artist so neither are worth your money, making you more likely to just cherry pick and download what you want. This ↑↑↑ With this statement your opinion is invalid. You have the right to it, it's just wrong. From the 80's we got Motley Crue, Guns & Roses, Bon Jovi, Poison, Skid Row, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax. The 90's gave us Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, Tea Party.
