Simmons participated in the Michaels Make-Off crafting competition, in pumpkin decorating. This competition was hosted by lifestyle guru Busy Phillips, and the whole concept for the video series was to demonstrate that anybody can make something with Michaels, and it can be done in an easy manner. “It’s great,” he admitted. “Everybody has preconceived notions, especially guys. That’s all nonsense really. At the end of the day, being part of this wonderful Michaels campaign has actually turned on a light. I would advise all those guys out there who have never been to Michaels to get their lazy butts out there and see how much fun it is,” he said.
On his plans for the future with Michaels, Simmons said, “I intend on taking some of my pals down there to Michaels, especially parties. From first time experience, it is more fun to go out there and get a huge basket and fill it with the goodies that I want.” “From my world, I am the master of my own world,” he said, with a chuckle.
When asked what motivates him every day, he said, “I have an advantage because I wasn’t born in America. Another advantage I have is my mother, who had a horrific childhood in Europe during World War II. Through the wisdom of my mother’s eyes, I understand the value of life.”
Digital transformation of music: through the eyes of Gene Simmons
On the impact of technology in the contemporary music scene, Simmons acknowledged that it has “destroyed it.” “Technology has destroyed the business, especially the new kids, they will never get the chance that we did. Generations of young fans have downloaded and file-shared music, and they have not paid for it. An example is my daughter Sophie, who had 10 million views on a song that she released last year, and she only made $214. It doesn’t affect me, since we play stadiums and arenas and we sell out, but a new band doesn’t have a chance, and my heart goes out to them, since there is a lot of wonderful talent, but new rock bands don’t have a chance in hell. The fans have been groomed and trained not to pay for it,” he explained.
Simmons continued, “I use technology mostly for communication and promotion. Twitter is telling the world things that I’m up to. I don’t gossip much and I’m not really interested who is marrying or divorcing somebody else. That doesn’t appeal to me at all. The informational stuff about news and world events immediately becoming available to everybody is really terrific.”
On the key to longevity in the music industry, he responded, “There is no secret, since if you could point to it everybody would do it, and everybody would have the long career. There is no answer to that. It’s a combination of having the right thing at the right place at the right time. A whole lot of work and a whole lot of luck, and even then, there is no guarantee.”
Simmons is a member of the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it never meant all that much to me. I won the very first day I got up on stage and people accepted the band. It’s been 44 years of having a great time, and awards are nice and you put them on your mantelpiece, and you walk out, but the past matters less. Tomorrow is always much more exciting,” he said.
For his loyal fans, Simmons said, “They are my bosses. I would be nobody without the fans.”
The iconic rocker defined the word success as “living in America.” “The heights that I’ve reached, if I lived in Africa or Asia, I wouldn’t have had the chance. The sky’s the limit in America,” he concluded.
To learn more about veteran rock star Gene Simmons from Kiss, check out his official homepage.
