Gene Simmons was scratching his head over how to make money off recorded music in late 2007, but in 2009, he’s figured out a plan: Embrace the idea of Canadian content wholeheartedly. No, really: The Kiss bassist has launched Simmons Records, a label that will “make sure that the next generation of world stars [emanates] from Canada.” And nowhere else! (At least not yet.)
It’s an intriguing proposition, for sure, as our neighbors to the north have had many an artist who’s been crazy famous in his homeland but hasn’t quite reached star status once it ventured beyond the Canadian borders. (For every Barenaked Ladies, there are a dozen bands that play second fiddle to them on their cruise.) How Simmons will turn bands from Canada into superstars who eclipse the likes of Bryan Adams and Celine Dion is as yet unclear, but I’m going to hazard a guess that lots and lots of merchandising will likely be involved. (Hey, since clicking the “submit a demo” link at the top of the page triggers an e-mail to one geneDOTsimmonsATumusicDOTcom, maybe I should ask him?)
SimmonsRecords.com [Official site]
This is at least the 3rd time he’s tried to launch Simmons Records that I can recall. The last time it went through Sanctuary Records but the first time was through RCA.
The only band I liked that he signed was EZO from Japan.
Is that screencap from an awards show? It’s like he’s never seen girls kissing before, the dirty old bastard.
According to a tedious blog posting I read the other day, Peter Sagal et al declared that over the course of 11 years on the air they’ve only had one awful celebrity guest: Gene Simmons. Every time I hear him speak I’m reminded that even if I didn’t hate their music, I’d hate KISS just because of him.
@musicquizking: wow. i have not thought about ezo in years.
I think Canadian radio has to play a certain percentage of Canadian acts. This could be his motivation, somewhat guaranteed airplay.
yay, more nickelback!
Go way Gene! You are loathesome and even Canadians don’t like you. Why don’t you try someplace further away from the U.S., like, say, Nigeria.
“The Kiss bassist has launched Simmons Records, a label that will ‘make sure that the next generation of world stars [emanates] from Lagos.’”
@maurajonston: I thought I was the only person reading this who would know the work of EZO…amazing!
His daughter is hot.