http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE4AK1U520081121
Kiss unhappy about rock hall of fame exclusion
Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:59am EST
By Mitchell Peters
NEW YORK (Billboard) - They've sold millions of records, and
influenced several generations of fans and musicians. So why isn't
Kiss in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
That's what Gene Simmons would like to know.
"There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bands in the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame, but not Kiss," the band's outspoken frontman
said during a speech at the Billboard Touring Conference on Thursday.
"I believe we have more gold records in America than any other group,
but it's OK."
Having released their first album in 1974, Kiss easily fulfill the
requirement that an eligible act must have released its first single
or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
But the band is not among the nine acts on this year's shortlist,
which includes metal icons Metallica, rock guitarist Jeff Beck, and
soul singer Bobby Womack. The final five, determined by a ballot of
more than 500 industry voters, will be announced in January, ahead of
the 24th annual induction ceremony in Cleveland on April 4.
Simmons also took a dig at the top officials at the hall of fame's
foundation, which is chaired by Rolling Stone magazine publisher Jann
Wenner.
"A lot of those guys on the board can go and get my sandwich when I
want, and I mean that in the nicest way," he said.
The speech was filmed for an episode of his reality show "Gene Simmons
Family Jewels," currently in its third season on the A&E cable
channel.
Reuters/Billboard |
