The Current Music Blog
< Today In Music History: Do The Loco-Motion! | Main | Jason Molina's got "Little Sad Eyes" for you... >

Tuesday Coffee Break: Gene Simmons is 60

Posted at 8:42 AM on August 25, 2009 by Steve Seel (5 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

(updated below with your requests)
Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him - and he wouldn't have it any other way. Gene Simmons of Kiss is 60 years old today.

He's said incredibly offensive things. He's proven a master entertainer, promoter, and marketer. He claims to have never taken drugs, drank or smoked in his entire life. He's socially very liberal but strongly supported the military objectives of the Bush administration. He has achieved exactly what he set out to do as a young man: become a multi-millionare rock star, by knowing exactly how to manipulate the message and the medium. He's really quite gross, but that's all part of the marketing strategy, isn't it?

So help us wish Gene Simmons a happy birthday today, with a set of songs that communicate your own special fondness or antipathy toward the guy. Whatever you say, we're sure he'll take it as a compliment.

Update: your requests we played:

1) Carly Simon, "You're So Vain"
2) The Beach Boys, "Hold On To Your Ego"
3) The Who, "You Better You Bet" (why? Because of this - explained in the first entry under "Controversies")
4) KISS, "Ladies Room" (so chosen because It's a classically offensive KISS title, and Gene sings it)

Comments (5)

the replacements cover of Black Diamond.

the replacements "Left of the Dial" for the the line. pretty girl growin' up playin' make up, wearin' guitar.

the monkees "Papa Gene's blues" because it has his name in it and would probably offend his sensibilities.

Posted by Kent | August 25, 2009 9:04 AM

I placed a request for "Voodoo Child" by Jimmi Hendrix because that's the cockiest song that comes to mind.

Gene is definitely full of himself, but he deserves to be.

Posted by Justin | August 25, 2009 9:17 AM

I realize I'm too late to make a request but I think that "God Gave Rock n Roll to You Pt.2" would have been perfect because it comes from a Kiss era that I think even Gene Simmons is embarrassed about... if he's capable of feeling that emotion.

Posted by wellst. | August 25, 2009 10:32 AM

in search of a clapping song, how about "Take the Money and Run"--I don't know if that't the title, but it is the chorus. Hopefully not too "classic rock" for you guys. Love your station and your show, by the way!

Posted by Becky | August 26, 2009 8:58 AM

Monkey In Your Soul by Steely Dan for memorable hand clap selection.

Posted by Mark Lillemoen | August 26, 2009 9:09 AM

August 2009
S M T W T F S
            1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31          


Master Archive
Recent Entries
Tools
Categories
Services
Become a Sponsor