Gene Simmons: Please STFU.
16 November 2007It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
– Mark Twain
I happen to like some of the music Kiss has produced. On occasion I even watch “Gene Simmons Family Jewels”.
But, Gene Simmons seriously needs to learn a thing or two about when to shut the fuck up. Seriously. He recently gave an interview, where he graced the world with the following statements:
Question: But some artists like Radiohead and Trent Reznor are trying to find a new business model.
Simmons: That doesn’t count. You can’t pick on one person as an exception. And that’s not a business model that works. I open a store and say “Come on in and pay whatever you want.” Are you on f—ing crack? Do you really believe that’s a business model that works?
No, Gene. It’s just a business model you dont like. And, it’s really funny you mentioned that it does not work. It’s called using a Loss Leader to drive sales of other merchandise. Every single retail entity that exists uses just such a business model you halfwit. I suppose you would say it does not work for Wal-Mart? They made more money than you will ever see in your life by perfecting the loss leader business model.
Alot of people live off of this very business model. Priests live off a collection plate. I suppose the Catholic Church is just an aberration? How about Museums? Every exhibit they don’t charge for is a loss leader for the biggest exhibits they do charge for. I suppose NPR and public radio don’t count either. Every employer in the world pays what they want for the work they want done. If my employer pays me $50.00 an hour for two years, and decides to one day drop my pay to minimum wage, I go somewhere else.
As someone who uses his reality show as a vehicle to showcase what a superior business acumen you supposedly have, you really look like an idiot here. Whats worse, people see these words for what they are: shilling for the old school label system. This is the system that tried to keep Radio from playing recorded music. It’s a system that needs to die. For someone who claims to be a businessman, you failed to heed the very sage like words of Robert Heinlen:
“There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in this country the notion that because a man or a corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary public interest. This strange doctrine is not supported by statute nor common law. Neither individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back, for their private benefit.”
– Robert A. Heinlein
And that is why your comments make you look like a complete and total idiot.
But, then you were not done yet. You offered up another nugget:
Question: So what is music just becomes free and artists make their living off of touring and merchandise?
Simmons: Well therein lies the most stupid mistake anybody can make. The most important part is the music. Without that, why would you care? Even the idea that you’re considering giving the music away for free makes it easier to give it away for free. The only reason why gold is expensive is because we all agree that it is. There’s no real use for it, except we all agree and abide by the idea that gold costs a certain amount per ounce. As soon as you give people the choice to deviate from it, you have chaos and anarchy. And that’s what going on.
The most important part is the music? Maybe that might be true if you believed in the artistry of your craft. But you don’t. You haven’t for years. A music lover, and an artists takes great care of their works. The true music lover cares about things like sound, and presentation. They care about how the sound is presented, and the forum in which it is presented. They want the listener to hear and feel the same thing they do.
Where exactly does the Kiss Toothbrush fit into your love of music?
And, as Bill HIcks put it…
“Here’s the deal, folks. You do a commercial - you’re off the artistic roll call, forever. End of story. Okay? You’re another whore at the captialist gang bang and if you do a commercial, there’s a price on your head. Everything you say is suspect and every word that comes out of your mouth is now like a turd falling into my drink.”
So, really…your “businessman” persona you have so carefully built up over the years, really got blown. Nice cover, but its toasted now. A real businessman tries to adapt to keep profit. Not flog the old and use the courts to maintain the “way we have always done it”. You have failed to adapt. You have failed to recognize the changing world.
So, Gene…you failed here. Big time. You identified yourself to the rest of the world as a schmuck who is barely tolerated by his wife, kids, and the world at large. While I respect some of the things you have to say on a few topics, it’s clear that business wise…
You have lost your way.
Current Mood:
Annoyed
