Why Gene Simmons Is ‘Sick and Tired’ of Bands Like Santana

Gene Simmons is getting candid about what makes a good rock concert.

In a resurfaced comment from an interview in 2009, the KISS bassist called out Carlos Santana’s performance style after the “Oye Como Va” singer insulted the rock band’s theatrical style.

Over 15 years ago, the “Detroit Rock City” singer, now 75, brought up Santana, now 77, when answering a question about KISS’s future in an interview with Las Vegas Fox station KVVU-TV, Channel 5. In response, he said, “It’s time for us to go out and show the little boys how the big boys do it.”

“I’m sick and tired of these bands like Carlos Santana looking at his shoes and thinking that’s a rock concert,” Simmons declared. “Get off the stage.”

KISS is known for their dramatic makeup, elaborate costumes and larger-than-life performances. Santana, meanwhile, has a more soulful style, mixing Latin, rock, blues and jazz.

Four years prior, Santana called Simmons “Las Vegas entertainment,” per Blabbermouth. “He’s not a musician, he’s an entertainer. Kiss is Las Vegas entertainment, so he wouldn’t know what music is anyway. That’s why he wears all that stuff.”

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“A musician doesn’t need the mask and the mascara so there’s a difference between an entertainer and a musician,” Santana added.

Simmons’ initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments. “Not everyone likes the same meal,” he said, via Far Out Magazine.

KISS — made up of Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer — kicked off their farewell End of the Road tour in 2019 and wrapped it in December 2023. In March, the band announced they were un-retiring and will return to the stage to perform in Las Vegas (of all places) in November.

Santana, meanwhile, is on his own tour right now, making stops throughout the U.S. before heading to Las Vegas himself for several performances at the House of Blues.