GENE SIMMONS In Toronto: CBC News Video Report Available
March 13, 2009, 15 years ago
KISS bassist/vocalist GENE SIMMONS has been in Toronto this week on business, which included delivering a a keynote speech at Canadian Music Week. CBC news has posted a video report, which can be viewed at this location.
Simmons, who is on the lookout for Canadian bands for his Simmons Records imprint, told the Canadian Press that he he values star power over talent. He says, "Simmons Records is looking for artists who are bigger than their songs."
While in Toronto, and while taking a break from recording KISS' first studio album in 10 years, Simmons noted to The Globe And Mail, that the band is in no hurry to finish the album any time soon, not when Simmons has so many other pots on the stove, including his newly resurrected record label, Simmons Records.
“I'd like to sign three acts the first year,” says Simmons. “I'm looking for the next U2 and LED ZEPPELIN. The only thing that matters is ‘Do you have the goods?'“ he says, but adds “it's not enough to be [just] a band.”Meanwhile, he's getting set for a stadium tour of South America with KISS, before a swing back to Canada for a few gigs in July. Tomorrow, during Simmons's keynote speech at Canadian Music Week, expect a lot more talk about 360-degree marketing, branding and making the impossible possible. As he likes to say, “TV, music, politics, we're all in the same business. You need to use any and every tool possible in this really difficult economic period.”
To read the entire interview visit this location.
