Kiss and Tell
Canadian music’s unlikely white knight
Image credit: Gregg Segal/Corbis
Gene Simmons is better known for his seven-inch tongue than his business savvy, but the Kiss rocker says he’s just the man to help Canadian artists earn international fame from the comfort of their own side of the 49th parallel. Simmons has launched a Canadian record label with an unlikely partner (Belinda Stronach) and, of course, a reality show to document the drama.
What made you decide to get behind Canadian music? Are you a closet Celine Dion fan? It’s not just Celine. There are so many great musicians, from Neil Young to Nickelback—and that’s just under N.
You and Belinda seem like odd bedfellows. What do a hair metal god and an auto parts heiress have in common? A love of Canadian music. And I worked with Belinda when my company handled her dad’s energy drink.
What does Belinda bring to the table, other than piles of cash? Good local support. But I’m not going to be sitting around asking for anybody’s opinion. What I’m good at is trusting my gut. I’m the guy who discovered Van Halen.
What are some Toronto acts to watch? I’m crazy about Down With Webster. Part of my plan is a reality show following them on the road, the breakups after their girlfriends find out about the groupies…
Not that you’d know anything about that. Hey, you might love your guy, but the groupies don’t care.
Some recent Canadian legends are pretty easy listening. Are you looking for more edge? I don’t care if you’re a chanteuse or if you rock out. You’ve just got to be unique. Kiss is obviously that. There is no other.
Any Canadian bands that belong up there with Kiss? There’s only one Joni Mitchell. I’ve enjoyed Loverboy. You’ve got everything here: cleaner air, more beautiful women.
That’s a pretty big compliment coming from you. It’s true. I live with a Newfie, for God’s sake [1982 Playmate of the Year, Shannon Tweed]. Did you hear the one about the Newfie and the lobster…
Any good stories from the golden era? The golden era is right now. Kiss just got back from playing for 80,000 people in Australia and 150,000 people in Russia and Finland. You should get out some time.
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• Guitar Heroes: Neil Diamond or Neil Young—which of the same-named legends is worthy of your worship?
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Washed-up politicians, 'reality' television shows and teetotaler Gene Simmons--this stuff is as far removed from the true spirit of rock 'n' roll (and art in general) as what Belinda Stronach is from Peter MacKay. Truly pathetic. And they wonder why the music business is dying! Believe me, people, this is not the way to rejuvenate it. I would take any music that results from this silly venture nowhere near as seriously as I take the 1991 album Rachel Sweet made for children under the Barbie trademark name.
Boy, how 'classic' rockers are bankrupting their artistic and bohemian legacies by participating in such travesties! Morrison, Hendrix, Jones and maybe even Bolan would have laughed and shook their heads in disbelief at the utter ridiculousness of such undertakings. The indignant money-raking sensationalism that has resulted from internet file sharing and the collapse of the major record labels has really served to demonstrate many musicians' true colours!
January 29, 2009 | by R_W_Watkins