Gene Simmons was recently asked about his musical preferences regarding his preferred instrument, the bass, and the ever-opinionated KISS co-founder tackled jazz bassists and other virtuosos like Flea to make his point.
It's no surprise that Simmons favors simplicity (a catchy hook) over technical skill, as reflected in his songwriting on KISS.
In a new interview with guitar worldHe admitted that he never had any interest in being a “bass virtuoso”, adding that he doesn't like “show off in music” and that he is “much more drawn to things that are memorable”.
Simmons continued to give his narrow, passionate take on jazz (what he called music “meant to show how well you play”) and technically talented guitarists like John McLaughlin.
“You can be a jazz musician and be respected by musicians, but the rest of the world doesn't care,” Simmons said. “Let's play a game: name a jazz musician that means something.”
He continued, moving from jazz to bass virtuosos in general: “There are so many incredible bassists, like Jaco Pastorius and the jazz guys. Or guys like Flea, who is very good at his instrument, but I don't remember anything he plays, and I don't like the sound of a banged bass either.”
For Simmons, writing a song or a simple riff is “the hardest thing to do.”
“Sometimes it's surprisingly simple and barely moves,” he concluded, “but I can hum it, that's what matters because it's memorable.”
For what it's worth, Jaco and Flea finished in the Top 5 of ConsequenceThe 100 greatest bassists of all time.
Meanwhile, Simmons appears to be done writing/playing simplistic riffs with KISS following the rock legends' farewell tour in 2023. The band members have since sold the KISS music catalog, name and image to Pophouse for $300 million, and the KISS avatar program. Its launch is scheduled for 2027.
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