Gene Simmons says inducting the Material Girl into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was an insult to her because she should be in 'Dance Hall of Fame' instead.
- Mar 23, 2012
AceShowbiz - In addition to dissing Rihanna as a karaoke singer, KISS called out Madonna and Blondie during a recent press conference announcing their joint tour with Motley Crue. The rock band launched snide remarks on Madge and Deborah Harry's band when asked to comment about their exclusion from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Gene Simmons said that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has become "a joke" because some people inducted were not in rock and roll genre. So, how to fix it? The bassist/co-vocalist who's known as The Demon offered his solution, "We've been thinking about it and the answer is simply, 'We'll just buy it and fire everybody'."
"In all seriousness for the fans, for something to be called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is such an insult to Madonna, Blondie and Tone Loc. Who the f**k knows what other disco act is in there? It's an insult to them because they don't get to be in the 'Dance Hall of Fame,' because that's what they do," he added. "They're legitimate dance, disco artists. They don't belong in rock and roll."
Agreeing to Simmons that the Hall of Fame was not relevant anymore, guitarist Paul Stanley shared, "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has reached a point where they're really scrounging and scratching to find someone left that they consider viable." He went on, "With all due respect, when you get to Patti Smith you're about two steps away from Pete Seeger."
Madonna, Blondie, Patti Smith and Pete Seeger have all been inducted to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Tone Loc hasn't. This year, the Hall will welcome the likes of Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N' Roses as its newest members. They will be inducted in a ceremony that will take place on April 14 in Cleveland and broadcast on HBO on May 5.
To be considered for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an individual artist or band "must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination." KISS first became eligible for induction in 1999, but were not nominated until ten years later. When they were finally among the candidates, the band didn't make it to the final list.
