Gene Simmons of KISS.Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Gene Simmonsdoesn’t think most other musicians are capable of performing inKISS’costumes.
On Tuesday, the 72-year-old rock star spoke toEntertainment Tonightabout the “Rock and Roll All Nite” band’s upcomingEnd of the Roadfarewell tour and discussed their intricately-costumed, high-energy performance style, which he doesn’t think many of today’s superstar musicians — or even his own contemporaries — could handle.
Whether or not Simmons couldperform upside down while pregnant with twins at the Grammyslike Beyoncé, 40, remains to be seen, but according to the KISS co-founder, “We are the hardest working band out there and take pride in it.”
The bassist and singer known as The Demon also explained how the band keeps their stamina intact after 50 years of performing. “We work hard at it,” said Simmons. “No drugs, no booze, no smoking. None of that stupid rock and roll stuff. I hike almost every single day with [wife] Shannon [Tweed], we do three to five miles a day, and it’s hard to keep this going.”
KISS.Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Furthermore, he spoke about the band’s decision to stop touring following theEnd of the Roadshows. “The last thing that you want to do is be a guy that stays in the ring too long and gets his ass beat,” noted the “Detroit Rock City” performer. “Get out of the ring when you’re a champion.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Simmons advised today’s bands not to overstay their welcome as touring artists. “You’ve got to have some pride and not stay too long. Always keep them wanting,” he said before exclaiming: “I’m the most blessed and grateful guy in the world to be able to be in a band where I can wear more makeup and higher heels than your girlfriend.”
Last year, Simmons showed off his other artistic skills as a painter, debuting several pieces at a Las Vegas gallery inside the Venetian, andspeaking to PEOPLEabout the venture. “I never considered myself a painter. I never considered myself much of anything. You’re talking to the least qualified person you’d ever meet… I can tell you that I have a sense of wonder,” he said at the time.
“I just wanted to stay sane,” the rocker explained of his decision to start painting amid COVID lockdown in 2020, noting that he wasn’t aware of a few standard artistic practices. “I didn’t even know you’re supposed to name the paintings… I didn’t know you were supposed to have a style, and I didn’t do anything except try to keep my mind busy. So the art is more stream of consciousness.”
source: people.com
