KISS's Gene Simmons issues public apology to David Lee Roth - watch
He says he feels 'ashamed'
Last updated 25th Aug 2021
KISS bassist Gene Simmons has publicly apologised to former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth for derogatory comments he made in a recent interview.
Speaking to Rolling Stone last week, The Demon criticised Diamond Dave by seemingly suggesting he's past his prime and comparing him to Elvis in his final years.
“It bears noting that during Dave’s heyday, nobody did what he did,” Gene said. “He was the ultimate frontman. Not (Robert) Plant, not Rod Stewart, nobody. He took being a frontman way beyond anything.
“And then, I don’t know what happened to him… something. And you get modern-day Dave. I prefer to remember Elvis Presley in his prime. Sneering lips, back in Memphis, you know, doing all that. I don’t want to think of bloated naked Elvis on the bathroom floor.”
The comments arose when Simmons was confirming that David Lee Roth won’t be supporting KISS anymore on the End of the Road World Tour. He was previously the opening act on the first North American leg in February and March 2020.
Very annoyed at Gene's comments, a day later Dave shared a photo 18 times on Instagram of a young boy wearing shades and flicking the middle finger. The image featured the words ‘Roth to Simmons.’
In an interview with US Weekly, Gene has now apologised for the “diarrhoea” that came out of his mouth during the interview and said he is "ashamed" he hurt Dave's feelings.
“I am so sorry and ashamed, actually, that I hurt David's feelings," Gene said. "I'm the guy, actually, that saw Van Halen at a club, signed them to my production company, flew them to New York, produced their first 24-track 15-song demo and championed the band.
“And, actually, we took David out as our opening act on the tour (in 2020). And in the course of an interview… You hear me talking — I just sort of stream of consciousness… I don't mean to hurt people's feelings, and every once in a while, diarrhoea of the mouth comes out."
He added: "I read that quote, and somehow the way they put it together… I think I said something like, 'Nobody touched David in his prime — not Robert Plant, not Jagger, not anybody… He was the king.' And then somehow there was a segue to Elvis bloated on the ground and fat and naked and I don't wanna see that.
“I wasn't talking about David, but that doesn't matter. What matters is I hurt David's feelings, and that's more important than the intent. So I sincerely apologise for that. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. It reminds me of the guy that gets out of a truck and says, 'Hey, I'm sorry, buddy. I didn't mean to run you over.' Well, what the f---'s the difference? You've been run over."
Watch Gene Simmons apologise to David Lee Roth:
Asked if Dave was upset because he respects his opinion, Gene added: “Nah. I don't think anybody gives two s---s about what I think, and that's the way it should be — treat everybody sort of on an equal plane. This is gonna get me in trouble too — even the Pope poops every day.
“You know, this kind of the humanity of it all. I'm not better than you; you're not better than me. And feelings — that includes the Pope, who's a good guy and everything — feelings are human. And anybody can hurt your feelings. I mean, you can be the king of anything, and a kid can come over and say, 'Eh, you stink,' in front of everybody else, and it can hurt your feeelings.
"So, for that I'm really sorry about. I never meant to hurt his feelings. But in the way the words came out, yeah, I could see where that was the impression. Not my intention."
KISS headline Download Festival on Friday 10th June 2022 alongside Saturday headliners Iron Maiden and Sunday’s Biffy Clyro.
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