It seems like everyone, even Gene Simmons, is a Swiftie these days.
While discussing the new wave of bands and musicians that are making their impact in the music industry today, the iconic KISS rocker gave Taylor Swift a lot of respect.
At his Rock & Brews restaurant in El Segundo, California, Simmons bragged exclusively to Page Six, “There’s no question, Taylor Swift has taken over and she’s great.”
“I’m a fan. I know her, and she’s a very trustworthy individual. Apart than that, I don’t know what’s cool.
After thinking back on the musical icons of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Simmons omitted Swift’s name. With the exception of Swift, today’s talent lineup simply cannot match the genuine excitement that the music industry was experiencing at the time, according to the “God of Thunder” rocker.
“We had Led Zeppelin, The [Rolling] Stones, The Beatles, Elvis, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Motown, and all of that, Prince, David Bowie, when we were growing up in the 1960s.” Simmons, who is currently 74, recalls that all of it was taking place simultaneously. “What’s going on now?”
The KISS Army and the Swifties have occasionally overlapped, as Swifties may remember. Paul Stanley, the frontman of KISS, took his family to watch the singer’s Eras Tour hows in Los Angeles. The Starchild even shared a pic of himself rocking tour merchandise via social media.
“A half million people attended six shows at SoFi Stadium, and I understand why… AMAZING SHOW BY A PHENOMENAL ARTIST,” Stanley, 72, wrote on Twitter at the time. “We appreciate her staff for giving us the red carpet.”
As the opening act for Keith Urban’s Escape Together World Tour in 2009, Swift, 34, also donned spaceman makeup and a costume resembling that of former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.
Swift and her band mates, who were also dressed in full KISS attire, seized the stage during the country singer’s performance of his smash song “Kiss A Girl” in Kansas City, Missouri, for a memorable surprise prank.
After 50 years with KISS, Simmons and Stanley have been concentrating on their solo careers while Swift has been busy touring the world on her current Eras Tour. In December 2023, the rock group played back-to-back gigs at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of their final End of the Road World Tour stop.
“I felt really proud on one level. Simmons recalled his last moment on stage in an interview with Page Six at Rock & Brews, saying, “But on another level, it was very sad.”
“You’re happy because you’re excited about the new possibilities when you leave home, but you’re leaving mom crying at the doorway,” he continued. However, everything have to come an end. You have to have the pride and dignity of knowing when to stop before Mother Nature takes over.”
Despite no longer having to put his signature Demon makeup on every day, Simmons told us he’s “busier than ever” post-KISS.
Despite no longer having to put his signature Demon makeup on every day, Simmons told us he’s “busier than ever” post-KISS.
Even now, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer continues to tour and play with his Gene Simmons Band. After performing at the Kuopiorock Festival in Finland next month, the group will travel to Sweden, Germany, Holland, Spain, and other countries.
Along with other business endeavors, he has been hard at work growing his Rock & Brews empire, Money Bag Soda brand, and film studio Simmons/Hamilton Prods.
“I don’t have any grievances. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, no. Simmons told us that he is still close to his now-former bandmates Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer, adding, “Been there, done that.” “It goes without saying that we communicate via messages, emails, and other means. We converse and text each other every other day.
time with his wife, Shannon Tweed, and their two kids, Nick and Sophie. “The best part of this is, I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” he gushed.In his spare time, Simmons likes to spend
Despite no longer having to put his signature Demon makeup on every day, Simmons told us he’s “busier than ever” post-KISS.
On June 6, Simmons shocked local fans by visiting his Rock & Brews restaurant in El Segundo. The artist was there to record a segment for the podcast “Wild Ride! with Steve-O.”
Steve-O told Page Six, “I got to be more like him!” as he gushed about what fans can anticipate from the candid talk with Simmons.
Regarding the rock legend’s incessant jokes, he remarked, “I actually go out on tour doing comedy and I just couldn’t keep up with him.” “We have slightly different comedic styles, which is what made the episode so endearing.”
On June 13, Simmons’ edition of “Wild Ride! with Steve-O” will be available on all podcast platforms.