Gene Simmons to relaunch Canadian label
By Alexandra Heilbron on November 27, 2008 | 21 Comments
Gene Simmons, who founded the rock band KISS and stars in Gene Simmons: Family Jewels on A&E, has come up with a business plan to promote Canadian bands and get them on the worldwide stage. A shrewd businessman as well, he’s relaunching his dormant Canadian label, Simmons Records, in a joint venture with Magna car parts heiress Belinda Stronach and Universal Music Canada. Simmons, who’s currently in Toronto, told the Toronto Star: “I have a new business model that will get Canadian bands out on tour, onto television and into the world’s mainstream. The idea is to have the bands we sign develop a strong Canadian identity first in Canada, then move them onto the world stage. For years, the only way Canadian acts could make it was to go to the States and more or less become an American band. In the new music marketing age, that doesn’t have to happen.” He added: “Canadian labels have been trying to do something like this for years. What’s different this time is me. I know how to make things happen.”
This is great news. It’s nice to hear someone wants to actually do good for Canadian music!
GREAT news!…»There are rumours(Gene Simmons talked about this last week in a public event) about a NORTH-AMERICA QUEEN + Paul Rodgers + KISS LIVE TOUR next year!=MASSIVE!=EXPLOSIVE!=WOW!! ROCK the Cosmos! Yes.
Way cool! I bet Belinda is only interested in his tongue, she probably has more money than him.
tributegirl,
Belinda may have eyes for his tongue, but his heart belongs to Shannon Tweed.
Gene, what is up with that coif? Looks like something out of the Planet of the Apes..
Mr.Simmons please, we are not Americans. Our Artists are creative and doing fine. This is why we are successful, creative.
I listened to your interview on CBC radio. You are simply out for profit and claiming recognition that you were responsible for developing Canadian talent. In Canada we still have a natural and free spirit.
We are not American so please stay south of the border with your Philosophy. I am sad to tell you that you will do more harm that good to the natural beauty of music. A freedom to express the depths of the human soul.
Kiss was nothing more than Industrial Music. In these times the world needs love and genuine creators, Poets, Songwriters and story tellers.
Let us be who were are. Canadians, simple, caring, loving people.
Well I hope he thinks he has a good plan, because the history of all Canadian artists in the past is that they’ve had to go to the states to make it big, successful and famous. EVERY Canadian artist……….music or acting has had to go to the states to gain recognition and success. If it were as easy to do make it in Canada as Simmons seems to think, Canadians would have been doing it already for years. Look at all the Canadians living in Hollywood and signing on with American directors and producers. Well, let’s sit back and see what Mr. Magic can weave.
I heard part of Simmons interview with Kiom Mitchell on the way to work yesterday and he came across as a pompous ass, at one point commenting that “Madonna and Springsteen wouldn’t make it on American Idol”….now even to mention Springsteen’s name in the same sentence as Madonna??? She wishes.
add on….sorry, K-I-M, just enraged on behalf of The Boss…
»Gene ROCKS! Yes.
Please stay out of Canada, our artists don’t need your help.
Kiril Mazurek, Sarah, are you serious? Honestly, on the world stage, Canadian artists, unfortunately, fall WAY behind our American counterparts, even though our artists are as good, or better. Gene isn’t looking to “develop” talent here, he’s looking to “promote” talent here, which I think is awesome. If he can help get OUR artists out there on the world stage, all the power to him! And I agree, he probably IS a pompous ass, and to lump Springsteen in with Madonna is beyond insane, but still, if he can help OUR people, let him! Good grief, think about it, even our top athletes have to go to America to really make it big! And with the world economy in a total slump, anything that can help Canada get ahead, in any way, is a fantastic opportunity!
EGO. Plain and simple. And as far as Belinda goes… She’s a slut and Gene is willing to do anyone.
No, actually I think Bob is right, he only has eyes (and tongue) for one woman. Belinda will do whoever can help her “career”.
hey of Course Gene is doing it for the Money? So wot, as long as he gets Deserving Canadian Talent out Onto the World Stage, I’m all for it. As far as what Gene is, that has Nothing to do with anything. Gene’s Money & Exposure will do a Few Canadian Musicians some Real Good.Leave the Drama to the Americans.They do it So much Better. Besides, Some people find his On Camera Antics Hilarious, Pure Gene 4sure ha ha hey I’m Looking forward to Seeing/Hearing KISS in Halifax Gene . . . & a New Disc out Soon too Gene? my oh my!
Oh where to begin with this amount of bs..first,Gene isn’t in this for charity reasons. By signing/promoting bands he hopes to profit. It is a ‘business plan’ by a ‘shrewd businessman’ who has a new ‘business model’.
‘The idea is to have the bands we sign develop a strong canadian identity first’?? What does that mean? And what does he care?
‘He only has eyes and tongue for one woman’? Gawd.. he has an open relationship with that skank Tweed. Please,no more about his tongue. He’s 60.
Kiril Mazurek, I’m sorry to say but it sounds to me that you are a little blind about Canadian bands..Canadian Bands don’t to get into the lime lite and get the exposure they deserve like Americans so Gene Simmons is doing a great thing for Canadians….We Canadians are not all Poetry loving flower growing positive speaking full fledged peace loving people…And I don’t see anything wrong with those that are good enough with their musical talents (Better than good) to get there chance towards fame…Sounds like a little resentment towards bands getting recognition and not other talents.A little resentful.?
All the power to Gene Simmons for wanting to help…He’s got the $ and the talent and the best of all himself to get it going..(His name is key)
ha ha just noticed that “Planet of the Apes” hairdo comment…very good and bang on
I say it’s all good! Love KISS, Gene’s pretty funny, Shannon seems nice, they seem to be really great parents. Gene seems to wander off into some pretty strange business ventures at times…remember the ‘bull semen’ business? LMFAO! Of course he’s in it for profit…DUH! Do you think the big wigs over in LA, etc. aren’t in it for profit? If he’s willing to help change things for the better, who are we to stop him? What’s the worst that could happen?
Now, for the record….Gene has always been a ladies man and Shannon knew that when she met him and became involved with him. To each their own…as long as she is ok with it, that’s all that matters.
This sounds like a wicked idea
Someone on the outside looking in on us Canadians.
And who better than Gene
Awesome.
Thanks man