Gene Simmons states that there are no longer any bands on the level of the heyday classic rock

Kiss’s Gene Simmons has repeated his claim that rock’n’roll is “dead”, insisting that not one “iconic” act has emerged in the past 26 years.

The 65-year-old’s latest remarks came as part of an interview with Kansas City Live TV (via Gigwise). He blames file-sharers for “murdering” rock music, arguing that there are no longer any bands on the level of the heyday classic rock.

“From 1958 until 1988 … [you can] name hundreds and hundreds of classic rock acts,” Simmons said. “I’ve got Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin. On and on and on. Even Motown. Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson. From 1988 until today, [can you even] give me five? You can’t name [them]. Iconic? Nobody. How about that!”

Interviewer Joel Nichols conceded Simmons’ point, stating that he could not name any “iconic” acts from the late 80s, 90s or 2000s.

The conversation followed an Esquire interview from early September, when Simmons declared the past three decades had not provided what he called “timeless” or “revolutionary” artists. “Nirvana. That’s about it. They are the notable exception,” he said. “Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered … New artists that stand the test of time … whose art can survive them, who become icons, are so rare as to almost be nonexistent.”

Speaking this week, Simmons claimed the problem could be traced to declining record sales. “I think it really comes down to when technology outpaces the laws of the land,” he said. “It’s the wild west – people just go and grab territory and don’t pay for it. It devalues new bands. It doesn’t affect me – I make a living – but it’s sad, because the next Beatles or the next Kiss … does not have a chance.”

Source: The Guardian