KISS legend Gene Simmons is featured in a new interview with John J. Moser of The Morning Call. An excerpt from the story is available below:

Despite such long term success KISS is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was nominated for the first time this year, after being eligible for a decade, but not accepted.

Simmons sniffs, "It's not a snub to us. We've gotten everything we've ever dreamed of and more. There's nobody in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in fact, if you took all of them and put them together that could match all the licensing and merchandising we've done and the legacy we've left."

"I mean, yes, Madonna's important. I have no [darned] idea what she's doing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Or Grandmaster Flash or any other disco or rap artist. I think it's an insult to them to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I don't want to be in the Rap Hall of Fame."
"But what band would I rather be? There's not a band in there that has as much fun as we have. ...Would I rather be in CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH or KISS? I think I'll take KISS."

In recent years, Simmons has become just as well-known for his reality television show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," which documents his life with his longtime companion, Shannon Tweed, and their two children. He also participated in Donald Trump's show "Celebrity Apprentice."

Simmons says he doesn't mind how the show portrays him: "My life's an open book," he says. "Take it or leave it. Not everybody liked Jesus, either." And he proudly points out "Family Jewels" recently broadcast its 100th episode.

He also says his business dealings have left him very secure. He notes, for example, that he narrates the new video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. " Simmons says "making a great business deal that throws off millions of dollars, that's pretty satisfying," but notes being on stage with Kiss "is unequaled."

"We are having a ball, as you can imagine. How'd you like to get up on stage, wear high heels and more make-up than your mommy does? "

So now that KISS is back on track, how long will the band last?

"No end in sight that we can see," he says. "There's going to be a certain point where they're going to have to bury us in the ground. We're all going to get our turn. But so far, so good."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

(Thanks: KISSonline.com)