Facing KISS Boycott, Gene Simmons Apologizes for Telling Depressed People to Die Already

[Hissyspit]

http://www.spin.com/articles/gene-simmons-apology-suicide-depression-nikki-sixx

Facing KISS Boycott, Gene Simmons Apologizes for Telling Depressed People to Die Already

August 15 2014, 5:25 PM ET
by Brennan Carley

When Nikki Sixx has a firm foothold on the moral high-ground, you know you've messed up

After Nikki Sixx and most sentient beings aware of the controversy slammed Gene Simmons for disparaging comments he made about depression and suicide, the loud-mouthed KISS frontman took to Facebook to issue a formal apology late this afternoon. It's also worth noting that at least one radio station called for a boycott of all things related to the band as a result of the initial comments, as Death and Taxes reports.

"To the extent my comments reported by the media speak of depression, I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression," the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (or someone representing him) wrote. This was not the first spot of controversy he faced this week. "I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones."

Simmons upset people when, in an interview with SongFacts.com on July 31, the rocker said things like: "I don't get along with anybody who's a drug addict and has a dark cloud over their head and sees themselves as a victim," and, "For a putz 20-year-old kid to say, 'I'm depressed, I live in Seattle.' Fuck you, then kill yourself." The subsequent death of Robin Williams served as a grim reminder as to just how irresponsible such words are.

According to Rolling Stone, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx took Simmons to task for the comments on his Sirius radio show this week. "It's pretty moronic because he thinks everybody listens to him," Sixx said, "[and] that he is the God of Thunder." Weirdly, Simmons had tweeted out a kind remembrance about Williams on August 11 ("R.I.P. Robin Williams. A kind and generous man.&quot that was deleted at some point on Friday, August 15.

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[Fred Sanders]

1. Gene Simmons, the King of entertainment Ponzi schemes, never says anything anyone should care a

crap about.

Invest with Gene Simmons, Kiss your cash goodbye.

[winstars]

2. $$$ is all he cares about. I was with someone once who is WAY bigger than Simmons in music,

and we met him. After the hello's he proceeded to recount to us all the $$$ he had just made that week. On and on, it was so boring... After no one engaged him in any further conversation, he walked away. My, much more famous, much more richer that Gene Simmons will ever be friend than said "why would he think I gave a shit about money, particularly his..."

[AgingAmerican]

4. My first thought when I saw the OP title

"$$$ is all he cares about"

[Skittles]

6. Mr. Simmons is horrible

I remember seeing part of his reality show at a friend's house and he came across like someone who cared mostly about money - even his family seemed to take bit parts in his self-centered life

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. he thinks he's so cool. hate his stupid hairdo.

[Skittles]

15. LOL, these fools always think plastic surgery will help

utterly pitiful

[Buddyblazon]

9. Funny....

Years ago, KISS was putting on a show in the Michigan UP. I was part of the staging company. Day of production, he and I both found ourselves in catering for lunch an hour after everybody else. It was just him and I.

Not knowing who I was or what I did, he invited me to join him. We proceeded to share stories about our mothers for the next 45 mins as we ate our meals. I found him to be incredibly friendly and a big mama's boy. Guy REALLY loves his mother.

Funny how our interactions with him were completely different.

[NightWatcher]

3. A KISS boycott that's been going on for a couple decades already for most...

[Captain Stern]

5. KI$$

A radio station boycotting KI$$'s music is pretty much meaningless. It just means they won't play 'Rock And Roll All Night" once every month.

[hifiguy]

7. Fuck you, Gene.

Apology not accepted.

[tularetom]

8. Nope, I've been boycotting KISS for about 40 years now and one apology won't change that

[L0oniX]

10. The KISS Doll manufacturing corporation stock holders are sooooo pissed off.

[otohara]

11. He's Always Been Disgusting - Once When

he and the band came to the record store I was marketing director for a reporter from one of the local
stations asked if he had anything to say to the women of Denver and this is what he said.

Yes, to the women of Denver, next time you're doing laundry and the machine is in the spin cycle
sit on it and think of this "then he stuck that tongue of his out"

The young reporter's face turned white and that was the end of the interview.

He's a pig

[conservaphobe]

12. I was already boycotting them for having zero talent (other than marketing). nt

[IDemo]

13. Didn't KISS kind of go out with the AMC Gremlin?

Apologies to Gremlin collectors.

[Segami]

16. Kick! Lets hope his 'mom' never suffers from depression.

Take your stupid tongue and go fuck yourself.