Is Gene Simmons a Bad Bass Player?

Gene Simmons is an incredible stage-performer, and is known as a business genius. But can he play bass? You tell me! Please comment, like, and subscribe.
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[@jerrymarlow5453]

Gene is a great bass player. He has solid creative bass lines. I would love to have a bass player as good as him in my band.

[@richcharvel7162]

I've always liked Gene's bass playing. He comes from the Felix Papparlardi/Paul McCartney/Jack Bruce school of bass. His playing on the earlier albums like "Hotter Than Hell" and "Rock And Roll Over" was cool.

[@melodyman5005]

A bass player, vocalist, showman. Talented in all three.

[@malinwj1167]

Does Gene play a lot of complicated stuff? No. Does Gene play some interesting bass lines? Yes. Is Gene a sloppy bass player? No. Is Gene a good bass player? Yes.

[@barryd-mx5eu]

I second that .!

[@_Only_Zuul]

he doesn't play interesting bass lines but he does the job what's needed and he definitely could not be replaced by any other bass player..

[@malinwj1167]

@@_Only_Zuul Au contraire - listen to the walking bass line in 'Love Gun'. The funk groove in 'Almost Human'. The straight ahead ostinato in '100,000 Years', just a few examples. He'd be the first to admit he's no Jaco, but he still plays interesting stuff

[@_Only_Zuul]

@@malinwj1167 i grew up listening to frank zappa, primus, faith no more, mr bungle, pantera, soundgarden, peter gabriel, genesis, prince, the police.. genes bass lines just aren't all that interesting to my ears because i've heard what some truly interesting bass playing is in rock music. gene simmons is definitely an interesting guy though and to me he is more in the category of average/ low key bass players that are essential for the band they're in. cliff williams of AC/DC fits this category too..

[@kenwidman7697]

Interesting side note a lot of people are talking about the 'love gun" bass and the 'I was made for loving you" bass among two of my favorite bass lines, and don't get me wrong Gene is definitely one of my favorite bass players of not my fav. But Paul Stanley wrote and performed both of them in the studio. Surprised the crap out of me when I learned it

[@eddioritz2580]

He’s no bass living legend but definitely not an average bass player. He’s lines are inventive and well played, in the past decade or so he’s age has taken a toll in he’s execution of the instrument but hey we all get old.

[@lasombra120680]

I have to give him credit. Good, solid player. Singer. In seven incch heels.

[@augustabiehly7225]

Gene is a decent proficient bass player. His bass lines are actually quite inventive considering the fairly limited musical scope he is working within. Listen to "Let Me Know", "Sure Know Something" or others. Music is not only about Jaco-like skills. There is beauty to be found in many different styles. And he has his own sound which is an achievement in itself.

[@michaelmammoliti5628]

Gene didn’t play sure know something It was Paul

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

@@michaelmammoliti5628 Studio personnel Paul Stanley - lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitar Gene Simmons - bass Ace Frehley - additional guitar, backing vocals Anton Fig - drums Vini Poncia - keyboards, backing vocals

[@dwaynejones1146]

@@michaelmammoliti5628 ,if not he played it doing Unplugged and it was rock solid and felt good.

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

@@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz Your quote is wrong. The lead guitarist was Ace Frehley. Paul was/is the rhythm player.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

@@AlbertoJorgeSoares When did I say otherwise?

[@Pamplemousse82223]

His walking bass line in Strutter is melodic, and Stones like, but better than Bill Wyman's style. I miss Gene's bass lines of old, he started his root note laziness in the 80s.

[@MartyWilson100]

Gene Simmons is one of the reasons I picked up the bass, I have always liked his melodic style

[@dwaynejones1146]

Gene is a solid player...not complex but it grooves and that is the job of a bass player.

[@Loganjlr]

Thank you for covering this topic! I’ve been thinking about this one recently

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

My pleasure! Feel free to share any thoughts you might have... 👍

[@jonkorpi6061]

If anyone thinks genes a bad bass player isolate his playing on a song or two you will change your mind

[@themilehighcatman5641]

Listen to Genes bass lines, old and new . He was very creative and held his own in the rhythm section of kiss. Any one that thinks KISS music is simple, basic or easy to play? Pick any KISS song and try to play it so it sounds exactly they do. I guarantee you it will be a lot harder than you would think

[@southamericanrocker]

the way he moves the pick is so precise and also economic in terms os pick movement

[@Ace96x10]

He's no Geddy, and he's no Chris Squire. But he's a very solid and creative bass player.

[@precbsfender]

He's no Stanley Clark.. bottom line, Gene's a fair bass player, what he does works..

[@louisborselio8608]

KISS Alive! best displays Gene's awesome bass playing.

[@seansherrod8725]

YEAP!!!

[@seansherrod8725]

Gene is/was a BAD ASS bass player!!! His bass lines were really FUNKY!!!

[@justwhisky]

Well presented!

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Thank you!

[@luggnutgaspar757]

Kiss Alive 1 is all over dubbed. Who cares? I learned all his licks.

[@dansimmons5382]

Gene is a decent bass player, all you gotta do is listen.

[@curtissteen2953]

When I was a kid back in like 99’ I rented the unplugged DVD and when I heard the bass line on Sure Know Something I freaked out. I played that on repeat and my heart broke when I had to return it. The album track is fine, but for some reason this live performance was just magic. I was struck by their musicianship right off the bat. I found that much later they had to do a bunch of overdubs and start songs over a bunch but you know, the effect it had on me was legitimate. I’m now a pretty advanced musician and I thank the guys in Kiss over all else for that. Musicianship isn’t something you can objectively identify, no matter how tempting it definitely is. It can come from the most home-grown, untrained acts. In fact, it often does.

[@charlestierce9627]

No he is a great bass player

[@larrynoe6162]

The fact that Kiss Alive and Alive II in the 70’s two live albums with 4 guys who were actors still happened.

[@johnny9223]

Agree with you (again). He's not a root only simple player. His lines are great. Good point about him playing them very well live while putting on an amazing show and singing.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Thanks for listening and commenting!

[@SanitysVoid]

Gene is the best bass player for KISS's Music.

[@yazdani3289]

😂

[@barryd-mx5eu]

There wouldn't be a KISS if Gene weren't there. Everybody else besides Eric Carr and Ace Frehley can be Replaced ..

[@BNatoAk]

He gave himself a 7/10 on the Dan Rather interview

[@robmarino314]

Gene is the best bass player in KISS and out of all the bass players in rock music, he is certainly one of them.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

He got the job done. And he did it in an extremely popular band. And...that's as far as it needs to go.

[@UncleBill732]

He does a cool "walking" bass line.

[@georgespottiswood4660]

Gene is a fine bass player.......always thought so, always will.

[@raywideman7157]

The short answer is .. Yes I can say his bass solo on the Animalize Live tour was one of the funnest solos I’ve heard because it had rhythm and was actually kinda funky. He is one of the few bass players that you can actually hum his bass lines. Simple, melodic, fun. He knows his role and fills it well.

[@Gamevet]

I think that Nirvana's Krist Novoselic has a bass playing style very much like that of Gene.

[@javieralvarezcuesta9026]

Gene's, walking lines in the bass, gave kiss much of their own melody and sound. Strangely as Gene is...he had never showed off about that, like he shows off about, well...everything else, but he sure could brag about his style, and not depending on the one note thing his entire career. He really makes a song have more color.

[@yourmommaz]

well said ! lol and true

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Agreed

[@tproudboomer5965]

Couldn’t have put it better myself. Been a KISS fan since the seventies and I’ve always thought Gene’s ability as a bassist was unfairly maligned. Now if Ace would just get back up to speed, he and Gene could do cool tour of smaller venues and I would probably enjoy it more than what’s been touring as KISS for the last twenty years.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Appreciate your thoughts and support! 👍

[@MetalHeart8787]

Gene is OK he is a Good Song writer, YES we Know geddy Lee is a Better musician & Gene wouldn't be able to play any Billy Sheehan songs if you offered him a Million Dollars to do so.

[@rocknrollcowboy1620]

Maybe a billion, but yea not a million

[@timweaver15]

Geezer Butler, Stanley Clarke, Gene Simmons and Les Claypool.. Thats my 4 horsemen..

[@DMSProduktions]

If you want to hear Gene's MELODICISM, listen to his playing on the Wicked Lester album!

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Lots of melody w/ WL...

[@DMSProduktions]

@@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz Yep!

[@dougstermcclellan5105]

If you really want to make an accurate assessment of the musicianship of Gene, listen to an early live version of Let Me Know! Even at that early stage of his tenure, he busted out a masterful performance. (Paul wrote it. Gene made it a good song) As both an accomplished guitar player and a pretty solid drummer (directly influenced by the band, Kiss), and knowing enough about both to understand the difference between an elite "musician" & an elite "entertainer", my personal assessment of Gene Simmons' body of work is that it's spot on! Ace & Peter were "rock-and-roll", what ever that means. Paul is a killer song writer! Guitar player? Knowing what I know now, meh. His kid, Evan? Keep your eye on him!! As for Gene, he "played the part" he needed to, at any given moment, to facilitate the success of KISS. Rather, the success of Flora's little Chiam! What better way to honor your mommy than to be as successful (in anything) as you possibly can? As much as people (rather, Paul) like to claim that he went AWOL in the eighties, I would opine that he thought KISS was a "dead horse being beaten". "Let's try acting! Because I want my millions! And, I will get them wherever I can!" Good for him, for being available to do whatever it took to take care of HIS! I've gone a bit sideways, here. Sorry about that! At any rate, I, too, feel like he sells himself short on his assessment. However, so does Geddy/Paul McCartney/Michael Anthony/Victor Wooten/ad infinitum/ad nauseum! And the notion that a great guitarist/musician doesn't consider themselves to be a part of the upper echelon drives them to work on it. Whatever "it" is, in the eyes of the individual. Gene Simmons exemplifies that! By the way, how many records has YOUR band sold?!

[@dougstermcclellan5105]

This really wasn't meant to pick on you. As I have sold zero records. I am NOT a writer of song, nor score! Just a cover band musician, at best. I just revel in the success of those who've put the pieces of the puzzle together. Rock on! And, thanks for the video! Very intriguing/entertaining!

[@uwehornung]

Gene is a lot better and a lot more inventive than he would need to be for Kiss. Especially on the early albums he was quite busy, actually overplaying by AC/DC or Judas Priest "chugging root note" standards (which I don't subscribe to). Even back in the 70ies, he was somewhat charmingly old-fashioned in his style, you hear that he grew up with music from the 50ies and early 60ies. The Detroit Rock City trademark bass run is (though not written by Gene, but by Bob Ezrin in inspiration from a Stax tune) actually quite nifty and difficult to get exactly right as it's somewhere in the middle between doublets and triplets groove-wise, most people don't get it quite right. I've never heard anyone play it as well and groovy as Gene. And I have tried myself! As hard rock bassists go, Gene is certainly in the upper half if not the upper third. It's just that most of the time he really doesn't give a damn (no one buys a Kiss ticket to follow his bass runs, he's realized that), but he has the required chops and ears. And his "bass solo" to the blood spitting is not a bass solo in a real sense, nor is it intended to be one, but a doomy-ambience-deep-note accompaniment to his visual show act. If he was a drummer, he'd pound a bass drum in mid-air with both his fists for the same effect.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Very well said!

[@uwehornung]

It bugs me that he is always berated as not playing very well when there are tons of bassists in other very famous bands who cannot hold a candle to him. He wears make-up and has a big mouth (entertainingly so, but never inane, he's NOT Ted Nugent), so people automatically assume hat he can't play shit. Wrong. And for the record: I'm not a Kiss Army grunt. To me, Kiss are not as great as their fans fervently believe, nor as bad as their haters (many of them with only the barest knowledge of Kiss' music) want them to be. And from the original line-up, Gene is probably the strongest instrumentalist. Paul is a heavy-handed meat & potatoes rhythm player, Peter can swing (and that IS something as a drummer, I'm not knocking him), but little else, and Ace turned a personal impediment in his playing (stumbling over notes in his soloing somewhat uncoordinatedly and with questionable timing) into an art form! 🤭

[@T.d.Mack74]

His original style was based on the Beatles...he just quick growing and showing up to play.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

That's true. And you can hear the Beatles influence in almost everything Kiss ever did.

[@yourmommaz]

The 1st 6 'studio' albums w/ ALIVE 2 side 4 Gene plays some great bass. it had some good moments even after the 1st 6 too but not as consistent imo.. he was probably more involved with the writing in the beginning and the songs were hands down the best of their careers .Classic era .. She - Ladies Room . Love theme and 100 000 yrs to name a cpl of my faves !

[@michaelwilson2340]

He's certainly not Jaco Pastorious, Steve Harris, Geddy Lee or John Deacon. But he's certainly made a lot of cash on his image and merchandise.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Ya, not too many Jaco dolls or Halloween masks out there! 🙂

[@michaelwilson2340]

@@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz Thank God for that. I'm afraid to buy a fretless Fender Jazz bass like Jaco's though. All that wear on the fretboard.

[@craigdamage]

I like listening to music that sounds good. Bands like Rush and King Crimson sound good with all their intricate parts along with complex changing time signatures. You have to be a really good bass player to play in a band like that. Bands like Kiss and AC/DC play a more simple and direct type of music. Most of that music is 4/4 time and based on simple blues and pentatonic scales. Easier to play but requires great energetic songwriting and exciting showmanship. I like all the bands I just mentioned and all have good bass players as well as drummers, singers and guitarists. Anyone who makes good sounding music is "good" on their instrument.

[@JoeyP322]

100,000 Years …. On the first album. Great bass line at the very least.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Very underrated

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Ya, he's totally underrated as a bass player. 👍

[@Crushin123]

I loved Gene's old original style - more importantly - your voice sounds just like Kirk Hammett! haha

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Appreciate the listen!

[@darrenwiggins9957]

If he was bad why has Kiss sold so many records? In most kiss songs it starts out with guitar and drum. The Gene kicks in the bass the song is then full and driveing .

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Great points. 👍

[@ishrotkahn5472]

Listen to the bass in Detroit Rock city. He is a solid bassist and I like his sound. Wonder what kind of Amp and strings he uses. His bass has a very similar sound to it that Duff MCkagan from gnr has. That very heavy twangy sound.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Good point about Duff.

[@ishrotkahn5472]

@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz yeah man...especially in the intro to rocket queen and you could be mine I was on a quest to find that sound when I first started playing lol.

[@ishrotkahn5472]

@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz duff uses a geiland Krueger Amp and ernie ball strings. Not sure about Gene.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

@@ishrotkahn5472 I've always loved Duff's bass sound and did a vid on it a while back... Thanks for the info!

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

@@ishrotkahn5472 Such a slinky but deep sound.

[@Robylazarus]

In my humble opinion, Gene brings a lot of theater and charisma to KISS, look at the persona , the Demon ( I can't think of any other musician who can put up such a grandiose act and carry it off with such panache), secondly he along with Paul Stanley are the pillars of one the most long lasting bands to come from the USA and finally my take on Gene's Bass playing --- Certainly no Steve Harris or Stanley Clarke, but again for KISS's music his playing is spot on and very articulate. Please feel free to disagree with me. Thanks.

[@Dave-xs9dm]

2nd richest. Tied with sting

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

I didn't know that! Interesting....

[@barryd-mx5eu]

Naw I wouldn't say Terrible or Even Bad ! As a fellow bass player , he is Effective and has enough Punch in his Basslines to feel him . His gimmick as the Demon of Rock n Roll and Stage presence is what I personally love ,his bass playing second .I just Admire the man's Diligence in what he's done for over 50 years now .

[@AlexAlexon3897]

The funny thing about this high-profile person is that his bass parts are so quiet! Pete Way is a good example of a melodic bass-player who didn't show off. Maybe Gene's in that kind of category, but it's hard to hear his playing clearly. Or maybe I'm listening to the wrong records.

[@harrykain285]

Gene Simmons is a showman,as a bass player he is meh,he didn't even play bass on some of there biggest recordings

[@gianni9415]

Gene simmons is a very good bass player, Ace and Peter were good musicians , just the drugs and booze got in the way. He gave himself a 7 BTW.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Hmmm, I thought he said 7 for songwriting... Anyway, he's better than many give him credit for! Thanks for your comment!

[@barryd-mx5eu]

The bass players job is To Hold Down that Bottom along with the Drummer and Gene Simmons has Done his Job for KISS for half a century .

[@astraluna6is9]

That question is like asking if he is a lousy song writer. Both answers are this. LOOK UP RECORD SALES FROM 74’ - NOW! catch my drift.

[@uncledeadhead3674]

listen to radioactive, thats a deep ass bassline with no digital bull crap.

[@jendel42750]

Yes, when he plays it in concert, it's excellent. However, Gene said he didn't play a note of bass on his solo album. A studio musician played bass for Gene, while Gene played rhythm guitar. Love your comment, though. AWESOME!

[@lrm215]

I believe it was Neil Jason that played on his solo album (bass)

[@uncledeadhead3674]

@@lrm215 neil played on af few songs but radioactive was gene

[@GUNIT683]

He's definitely not Jaco Pastorius, but he is just good enough for what they play

[@stevemann40]

He's a decent bassist, if only he was a decent person.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

"Gene's a ruthless businessman."

[@FAA-DPE]

He was an ENTERTAINER. And a master at that. Dont get caught up in the musical Virtuoso crap. That's not what it's all about.

[@lisazinn866]

If Gene is 8/10 then Chris Squire is 17/10

[@kengyang1908]

Gene is a good bass player as showman ship he's the best,,all about solid low-end alright gigadeee goo

[@JeffWok]

Kiss is the Hannah Montana of the 70's. It's all about the show. They are extremely effective at it. Gene does the best thing a bass player can do, play the song.

[@rv9905]

Gene is not only a bass player but als a singer, songwriter and performer. I don't think bass playing is important to him. Nevertheless he is a great player!

[@salilkarkarey3684]

is this kirk hammett talking

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

lol

[@daveweed2765]

Holy crap. Really? How is he a bad bassist? Because he plays with a pick? Icks are amazing tools to play bass. Makes pull offs so clean and you can palm mute and use alternate picking. Now i wouldnt play Sabbath or Mainen with a pick but i wont play ACDC, KISS or Motorhead without one. But honestly all this crap about good or bad bassists came about with social media. Someone taking lessons that knows it all. As for bassists? Never saw the amount of "snobs" playing other guitarists like I do playing bass. I do fingers and picks depending on the songs. But sadly among bassists if you play with a pick you are just a guitarists that is playing with a heavier and longer guitar. Hell God of Thunder wouldnt even sound right using fingers. So there.

[@joekelley5121]

Gene gave himself a 7 on a 10 scale.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

True. And it's really just his 70's stuff that maters because I don't think he played on the 80's Kiss albums much.

[@davidpstoopsjr4513]

Genes a great baddest but Paul Stanley played that bass on Love gun!

[@derekpillers8796]

No.

[@wiwi_life]

He's no McCartney, nor Geddy Lee, nor Claypool, nor Mark King (just the first bunch to come to my mind) of course. They are semi-gods; there could be no video asking "are they bad bassists?". BUT, for what I remember CHRISTINE SIXTEEN it's not so an obvious song to sing and play bass along like it was a joke. For exemple. And there are others. He's a professional artist. That's it. I saw him live many times. He is a very good professional musician. Not playing Jethro Tull, ELP or Rush, but who cares. Perhaps of the four original Kiss he's the best professional musician.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Christine 16 does have a great bass line!

[@FuturePast2019]

Peter is the weakest link. Ace .. too good for KISS? No, just too good for pop-KISS. Gene..wrote their best songs.

[@user-rj3gw4km2t]

No

[@cidnewman8032]

He’s mediocre at best. He’s a functional ‘garage band’ level bassist.

[@harryballzaky2674]

I think Peter Criss is a better drummer than Gene Simmons is a bass player. Musically, Gene is the LEAST talented of any KISS member but, he clearly has the skills to assist the rest of KISS to play some truly great songs. I saw KISS 4 times & the "Lick it up" tour he actually played a legitimate multi-note bass solo because he didn't spit blood on the "no make-up" tours. The one note bass solo works for the blood spitting Demon but, without the shtick he was forced to actually play his bass. He's a Good bass player but, not Great. However, he clearly does NOT suck at it.... He is also the greatest showman of the band & that's saying a lot because every member of KISS is a skilled showman.

[@williamstevens8587]

No… he is a pro . No matter how hard the haters wanna bullshit . Not reality ! In truth he is not only decent. He is creative . Stop the bulkshit

[@bigneutron5510]

He is what? A bassplayer? Are you kidding me? I always thougt he is a scarecrow, a lausi scarecrow.

[@jesus2400]

Bad bass play but a smart business man.

[@michaelyoung1502]

By no means….he just a basic player. Has good strong bass lines. BUT his solo. Sucks. One note flying around isn’t a solo. It’s just a show.

[@markchristopher420]

😂 Yes! I remember the *Asylum* tour where he rumbled an open E while he ran across the stage and then did a slow ascending one-note-at-a-time scale as he climbed the stairs on either side, where he 😳 shot off a firework from his headstock at the top! 🎉 🧀-iest thing 👁️ ever 🪚

[@sixfoursoul2538]

Trust me a 6 is very generous

[@fouts420]

bad human.

[@oscaralexander6594]

Answer: no. You're welcome

[@jmflyer55]

He’s a terrible bass player.

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Who do you like?

[@lisazinn866]

Chris Squire

[@davidlane9138]

He's about as good as Nikki 6. 90% showboat, 10% good😂

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Interesting comparison.

[@kenwidman7697]

I've been a bass player for 50 years now. Me and one of my band members have always loved kiss being that for most of my time with the band we performed our own originals (and of course my bass playing)was obviously heavily influenced by Gene in the first place I think kiss's songwriting abilities heavily underestimated, their damn geniuses as far as I'm concerned. recently retired and quit the band (getting too old for that) I just randomly decided to do every kiss baseline as close as possible to the studio cuts of all the albums cover to cover. First of all what a lot of fun. One of the first things I learned was that the guy is even better than I ever thought he was now that after 50 years I feel my ear has improved considerably I was able to pick up a considerably larger amount of nuance. the structure of the songs and the nuances of the bass (WOW) in the end it's just one man's opinion think what you like

[@TalkLinkMusic-gd7fz]

Thanks for sharing this! Excellent insights. I think Gene was smart to downplay his musicianship in Kiss and play up his "demon" character. I also like what you say about "nuance" and that's totally true with Gene. Bass players who work on subtleties really care about what they're doing because they rarely get to the top of the mix. So it's not showing off; it's artistry.