KISS’s Gene Simmons to release book about rock stars who died aged 27

As the title suggests, the KISS bassist’s latest book looks at all the rock stars and celebrities who have died aged 27 over the decades – the so-called ’27 Club’.  

Deaths Gene will write about include Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse.

The book’s synopsis reads: “Why have so many legendary musicians and other celebrities over the decades died at 27 years of age, just when their careers were taking off?

“It takes one to know one and in this book, phenomenally-popular rock god Gene Simmons delves into the many unusual tales associated with the music (and life) stopping at this specific age.”

It continues: “Why "27"? Why didn't they die at 26 or 28? Author Gene Simmons, he of Kiss, one of the world's most famous rock bands ever, with over 100 million albums sold, explores all that makes "27" the entertainment world's most mysterious number ever.”

Speaking to WRIF 101.1 about the book, lifetime teetotaller Gene said he was inspired by Kurt Cobain’s daughter Frances Bean who, he says, has had to endure comments like “Hey, it’s really cool your father died while you’re still a baby from drugs.”

Gene said: “It’s really about when you become rich and famous and everybody admires you – what is that thing that makes people destroy themselves, even to die? What is that?

"The rest of the world adores you and your fans love you and they give you money and fame and all that, and then you kill yourself. I don't get it. If you drink enough, your equipment won't work. If you get high, trust me, you're not gonna be witty or look cool. No, there's nothing about that. We've gotta tear down this stupid fascination with it – it's self-destructive.

“What's happening with opioids is killing everybody. No, there's nothing cool about that. I'll tell you what's cool: somebody who arches their back, stands up straight and says, ‘Every day above ground is a good day. Now watch me burn rubber.’ That's cool.”

In the same interview, Gene also said he issued warnings to Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley and Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland before their drug-related deaths in 2002 and 2015 respectively.

Gene said: “I met Weiland at a club, and I said to him, ‘Look, you’ve got to be straight’. Cut it with all the heroin and the crap, respect the fans, get up onstage, do a great show, it’s all yours. We’ll support you – but I want you clean on stage. He said, ‘Gene, I promise!’ It’s like what anybody who’s a drug addict and an alcoholic says, ‘I’ve been clean for a million years’ and stuff. And then he died.”

Reflecting upon a conversation he had with Layne Staley, Gene added: "Right before they went up onstage, I said, ‘Layne, here they are, they’re fans, they’re lined up, it’s all yours. Just go out there and do great’… "'Gene, I have been straight, I straightened up,’ and all that. And then he died.”

He continued: “If you were an alcoholic or a drug addict, you're gonna be that for the rest of your life. And that's what they tell you in AA and other organizations – that every day it's gonna be a decision. You're gonna have to make that decision to be straight, or ruin your life and hurt everybody around you.

“But what I'm saying, of course, is not cool. You're supposed to get wasted and ‘Hope I die before I get old’ and all that stuff.”

27 will be released in the US on 14th August 2018 and it can be pre-ordered here. A UK release date is yet to be revealed.