Gene Simmons’ opinion on Grateful Dead

The American Rock and Roll scene has always been vast, with countless bands creating unique sounds. There were groups like Kiss, led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, which would not only make good Hard Rock music but would also pay attention to the theatrical side of their shows. On the other hand there were bands like the Grateful Dead, for example, that were less business driven and more focused on improvising during their live shows, giving a unique experience to fans.

Over the decades, Kiss’ bassist, singer and songwriter Gene Simmons talked about many groups, one of them being the Grateful Dead.

Gene Simmons’ opinion on Grateful Dead

Kiss was always a really business focused band and Simmons, especially, always had on his mind things that the group had to do to not only become a successful band in music, but really a business organization with many other forms of income. They are really an example of how a band can also make a lot of money with merchandising.

So it was expected that bands like the Grateful Dead would not really be among Simmons’ favorites. He already said in the past that the group was boring to watch live. That’s what he reaffirmed in an interview with Forbes, saying Jerry Garcia was limited as a guitarist. Also that the Dead actually created a culture around them because the fans would smoke weed during the shows.

Simmons believes Jerry Garcia was limited as a guitarist

He explained that if you are a writer, an actor or part of a band, you are really fortunate if a “culture” is created around your work. He gave as examples the writers of Harry Potter and Lord of The Rings, because they created a story, wrote the books and then it wasn’t just a story anymore. A big culture was created around their work and people started to discuss the theme and dress like the characters.

“The Grateful Dead was never my favorite band. If you play an instrument, you know that Jerry Garcia had a limited range in his playing ability. That doesn’t mean that you didn’t like it or that you didn’t like the song, but don’t kid yourself, the reason The Dead—in America, not in South America or Europe—The Dead used to fill stadiums full of people […] What do you do when you go to Dead concerts? What’s the first thing that comes into your mind?”

Gene Simmons believes The Grateful Dead became successful because the fans were high during the shows

He then explained that the reason why the Grateful Dead was never part of his “culture”, was because he doesn’t use drugs. He said that in a concert where everyone is high, you don’t pay attention to the music and then compared their shows like the “gathering of a tribe”. Because they were able to, not planning it, to create a culture about the band, but not for the music, like Taylor Swift did.

“It was about not dressing up, not being like rock stars and having a guy named Garcia. There were not many Hispanic guitar players, Santana and then you have to think about it. They were anti. Call it what it was, rock was a white man’s thing. Rap is a black man’s thing. Country & Western, up until recently, was almost predominantly a white cultural thing.”

“Wearing the cowboy hat has nothing to do with roping cattle or being in Texas. It’s a culture. You’re fortunate if you can create a culture that’s above the music that you’re doing and that’s the most impressive thing about The Dead, that they were able to somehow create a culture that you are a part of.”

“There’s music that you really are impressed with, but there’s no connection to the heart. It’s just, “Gee, I like that song.” I’m sure you could name a few Foreigner songs, but there’s no emotional connection and gathering. When you have a gathering of the tribe, then you’ve got something extraordinary and it’s rare, don’t kid yourself. Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, James Bond—those are cultures. They’re not just characters. For bands, it’s The Dead, and not many more. KISS? Yeah! It ain’t just a band, it’s a brand!” Gene Simmons said.