It’s been decades since KISS frontman Gene Simmons first graced the stage with his signature fire-breathing, pyrotechnic rock and roll show, but it seems he never got the memo that rock and roll is officially dead. Despite the fact that the music industry has shifted to more contemporary genres and the world has moved on, Simmons is still stuck in the past, desperately clinging to his rock star persona and refusing to accept the inevitable.
At first glance, Simmons seems like a living legend, a testament to classic rock and roll. The iconic makeup, flashy clothes, and larger-than-life attitude all fit the bill of a classic rock star. But take a closer look, and it becomes clear that Simmons is out of touch. He still talks about the ‘good old days’ as if he’s living in the past, and he continues to try to emulate the lifestyle of the 70s rockers he idolized. It’s almost like he hasn’t realized that the world he desperately wants to return to no longer exists.
Simmons’ demeanor at recent concerts and appearances proves he’s stuck in the past. He’s often seen trying to relive the glory days, but instead of being celebrated as a rock and roll icon, he’s often met with a collective groan. His attempts at resurrecting classic rock songs are met with silence and awkward stares as if the audience is trying to tell him that it’s time to move on politely.
It’s sad to see Gene Simmons stuck in the past, but there’s still hope for him. Maybe he’ll eventually accept that rock and roll is dead, and instead of trying to bring it back to life, he’ll focus on finding a new way to make music that speaks to the current generation. Until then, we can only hope that he sees the writing on the wall and realizes it’s time to move on.
