Gene Simmons, the outspoken frontman of the rock band KISS, apologized for public remarks he made concerning the death of music legend Prince. Simmons had called Prince’s death “pathetic” and a suicide, saying Prince had slowly killed himself with drugs — an assessment many thought insensitive. But Simmons also honored Prince, saying he was “heads, hands and feet above all the rest of them” even leaving King of Pop Michael Jackson “in the dust.” Prince’s talent and accomplishments were exactly why Simmons was so brutal in speaking about his death.
Simmons’ apology came after fans and even his family told him he’d gone too far. Simmons is a controversial voice, but he was willing to say he overstepped on the Prince matter. Still, Simmons explains the anger that drove him to unleash that venom. Years of frustration and a front row seat as drugs and alcohol claimed rock star after rock star fueled Simmons’ ire. “I have a long history of getting angry at what drugs do to the family/friends of addicts,” Simmons wrote. And while he says he “didn’t express myself properly” regarding Prince, Simmons’ anger hasn’t gone away. It’s only larger. And while many people thought Simmons was wrong, friends and families of addicts all over the world nodded their heads in knowing sorrow at his truth.
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 11, 2016
