Debbie Schlussel: Guess Which Bizarro Rock Star . . .
. . . this is?
Here's a hint: He and his unmarried "partner" and their two illegitimate children star on, "Family Jewels" (should be called "Illegitimate Family Jewels") a reality show for A& E. He and the girlfriend, former Playboy Playmate and semi-porn movie star, Shannon Tweed, went through twin facelifts together.
Anything for love, er . . . attention and continuing moolah, when you're well past your heyday.
Answer:
I used to like Gene Simmons when he had a great quote, telling celebs and rock stars to stay out of politics. But, then, he didn't take his own advice and said really stupid things on the Rosie O'D level:
From my November 2001 column, "Rock Stars, Shut Up!":
"We don't comment on whales and the rain forest. We don't try to be ambassadors to Bosnia. Duh. You need a rock star for that? Some idiot who couldn't tune a guitar six months ago is now an environmental specialist? I blame media for giving rock stars more credence than they deserve. Why don't they ask Al Gore how to play bass?"That was Gene Simmons, founder and bassist for the rock group, KISS, in a 1997 interview with USA Today's Edna Gundersen. Simmons was right. That's the kind of rock star we need more of in America. Stick to music and stay out of politics.
It's especially good advice in 2001, with the War Against Terrorism. But unfortunately, especially now, every rock star apparently feels the need to spew forth an opinion though it's neither needed nor wanted.
Even Simmons has now unwisely chosen to ignore his own advice. On a recent episode of ABC's "Politically Incorrect," his comments about the war were either completely wrong or nonsense. First, he said, "'Islam,' by definition, means 'peace.'" No, it means "submission." Then he attacked Christianity for the Crusades, which happened how many centuries ago? That justifies attacks on the WTC in 2001 by Muslims? (FYI, the Muslims had their own crusades, and forcibly converted thousands of Jews and Christians to Islam.)
Another Simmons gem: "At the end of the day, this guy Bin Laden, he's not evil. He's not good, he's not evil." Not evil?! Huh?
But at least Simmons only sounds non-sensical and foolish. It's the rock stars who sound like they might really know something--but don't--that are worse. . . .
Posted by Debbie on March 20, 2007 02:44 PM to Debbie Schlussel