When Adam Lambert performed on stage with KISS’ Gene Simmons on American Idol, it was a dream come true for the contestant. So why might Lambert be rethinking his respect for the rock legend?
Because Simmons has blasted Lambert’s decision to come out. “He killed his career because now the conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference,” says Simmons. “He’s done. … I hope I’m completely wrong. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong.”
This isn’t the first time Simmons has blasted Lambert on his decision to be out. He’s previously gone off the deep end, invoking the ridiculous bestiality comparison with a Fox TV affiliate: “Adam should have won. On the other hand he should have kept his mouth shut about his sexual preferences. I don’t really care what he wants to do and neither does America. But this kid’s got talent, Adam Lambert can go on. As long as he’s quiet about whatever else he prefers to do indoors. I personally don’t care, I mean if you love farm animals, that’s fine, but I don’t wanna read a magazine about that.” (Simmons has also dissed Lambert’s “rock” persona.)
But coming out, updates Simmons, is the end of Lambert’s career. Too bad the KISS bassist and singer misses the whole point here: Lambert didn’t come out — he just chose to address what everybody already knew. Had he not been so open with his sexuality, all of the attention would have instead been focused on how he’s not discussing it. And then we would be dealing with an Anderson Cooper of the music industry, demanding our respect for remaining a closet case. And nobody should be a fan of that.
How about we take this to the next level?
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D-Sun
Isn’t this the man who made his 4600 sexual conquests a figurehead of his career, and now puts every moment of his private life on film for some A&E reality show?
AlwaysGay
STFU Gene Simmons! What a bigot. I hope his show fails and we never hear from him again.
Adam is a fantastic singer and personality.
Jayson
Gene Simmons is uglier than a mud fence
Cam
Gene Simmons…you mean the guy that everybody under the age of 35 says “Who”? When his name gets mentioned? I seriously doubt that his advice on what constitutes good career moves in today’s industry are as relevent as they would have been 20 years ago.
HayYall
This happened weeks ago; slow news day at Queerty when you have to rehash this?
ChristopherM
This just goes to prove Nate Silver’s point about changing demographics and increasing support for equality as the elderly die off. Go sit down, Peepaw…those platform boots are doing nothing for your varicose veins.
Heath
Gene shows a startling amount of natural insight into the pros and cons of coming out as a gay celebrity. Just sayin’
Fitz
1) this is old. 2) Simmons isn’t being a homophobe, he is commenting on the homophobia in the public and industry.
TANK
@Fitz:
I think he’s being a homophobe with the bestiality comment. You think he’s not comparing gay sex to bestiality in saying that IT, like bestiality, should not be become public knowledge. This from a man who wears his sexuality on his sleeve. You are pretty self loathing.
John Santos
This coming from the man who tried to sell his own sex tape and when no one was interested, pulled it off the market. The man who prostitutes his children and wife on TV every week, claims that others should be quiet about their sexuality. Sad.
gilberto
yo solo se k adam es genial y k rompe barreras ya es conocido en mexico y se sabe que es muy buen cantante y con eso me basta
espero su cd muy muy pronto waaa
EE Keller
@Fitz: OMG…Gene Simmons is not a homophobe….I could barely type it…if it wasn’t so stupid, it would be funny.
curt wilde
ok i think im over the hawt queer idol for a time (until the album not gonna follow this) & Gene Simmons seriously just ask adam out if ur that curious
jason
Gene may simply be informing rather than advocating. He’s been around music for decadees, and understands its psychology.
My view is that rock and roll was built on male heterosexual fantasy. It was simply a means for straight men to pick up chicks. From Elvis to The Beatles to KISS to rap and hip/hop, the pattern’s there.
TikiHead
Hah — I wrote, never heard back:
Mr. Simmons,
I am really really sorry.
For what, you ask? That gay people exist. That we have the NERVE to say so in a matter of fact way. Just Kidding! Psyche! (miming fish hook in jaw)
Your remarks about Adam Lambert were ill-considered and oafish, and belied a true lack of empathy.
Why in the fucking Hell should he cloak his own romantic tendencies in darkness, when YOU don’t? Why is Adam Lambert under a special requirement to shield your delicate sensibilities from the mere fact that he is same-sex attracted? You straight folks are a bit blinded here by your own near-ubiquity, your privilege: we gays/lesbians/bisexuals have to witness much worse, every day.
How hard is this to get? Please reconsider your very rude and hurtful remarks.
rrr
There were already pics online of Lambert making out with guys. Between that and his heavy flamboyence there was no question about Lambert’s sexuality at the start.
Simmons is talking from his own experience in the American music business. Times have changed and also the demographic Lambert is reaching for isn’t the one that’s made up the Kiss Army. Lambert’s career may be a bust like so many Idol contestants’ careers and his frankness about his sexuality may even contribute to that, but the frankness is not an automatic career death sentence.
I can’t remember Cooper ever demanding people respect him for staying in the closet. He’s just said he’s not going to talk. Jodie Foster predicted people in the future would respect her more for having stayed in the closet, but that’s about as near as I can recall someone getting to that and even she didn’t demand respect be given to her for making the closet decision.
Tony
Gene Simmons. Old. Has not had a hit song in um like 30 years. Has a gay son who will come out, most likely as a bottom. Gene is a douchebag, hideously ugly. I effin’ hate A and Ewww with the fugly Jon and Kate plus H8 and all the other pseudocelebrity douchebags they have to queef out. Gene Simmons, such a douche you can smell the vinegar and water miles away. Just writing about him makes me feel less than fresh.
TANK
I hope is son lurch isn’t gay. What a freakshow. Just what we need–more weird looking people.
Lynn David
Weird…. I had my first sex experience the night I attending a KISS concert back in the 70’s. I haven’t been the same since.
Lynn David
That was my first sexual experience with another guy…..
hyhybt
“I can’t remember Cooper ever demanding people respect him for staying in the closet. “
How exactly would that be possible, anyway? Announcing that you’re in the closet is no way to stay there.
Millie
To D-Sun,
The answer for your question is yes,this is the man.And he’s also a comedian! Very funny man indeed!I laugh very hard when I read what he said.Oh,Gene,WTF,are you kidding me? LOL!!
Marc
Gene is probably right. For those criticizing him for bring old and irrelevant let’s see if Adam Lambert has a career that spans 4 decades. Highly unikely if it will last a few years.
Joanaroo
Back in 75 I became a Kiss fan and back then the group was seen more as a novelty with their costumes and makeup. Many thought they wouldn’t last long either and even NBC’s Edwin Newman hosted a show about hype selling the group. God, I’m old. Anyway, times change and Adam may fool Gene very mubh!
redherring
“And then we would be dealing with an Anderson Cooper of the music industry…’
I’m SO SICK OF THE SCORN TOWARD Anderson Cooper here. It would be one thing if he were ignoring gay rights issues or hitting the town w/ some “beard,” but he’s fine by me…
1.) forcing activism on anyone(yes, even a news anchor) is completely counter to the willed spirit of activism.
2.) and this stance is completely anti-progressive in the end:
(think of those obnoxious white repubs. guys who passionately and tirelessly rail against reverse racism, etc., b/c… just b/c it’s become countercultural to do so).
3.) Is Cooper really “silent”? yes, but only in one way. Even as a former member of HRW, though I often identify quickly and clearly in some spaces, I casually don’t in other areas of my life-shocking those who’ve already learned to adore and accept the sexually ambiguous me when this homo rears his head.
ie., let the man choose his own swagger!
Lefil
@Marc
Do you even understand what Simmons is saying?
He admits that Adam is very talented, but he believes Adam has literally killed his career before its begun by talking about his homosexuality. So basically he is saying that Adam should not have come out. Do you think he is right?
Dana Martin
ADAM IS AWESOME IN EVERY WAY. HE WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH. HE IS THAT TOUR ! I WAS 2ND ROW AT THE MEMPHIS SHOW. IT WAS SOOOO VERY OBVIOUS WHO EVERYONE WAS THERE TO SEE. HE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. HE OOZES SEXY.
schlukitz
Simmons is from another age. He’s totally irrelevant!
He should hang his Medieval swords, suits of armor, shields and helmets up in the display case, call it a day and retire to his rocking chair.
Onward and upward, Adam. You rock!
An Other Greek
“I personally don’t care, I mean if you love farm animals, that’s fine, but I don’t wanna read a magazine about that”
uhm, that is a homophobic statement (to all you apologists for the clown Simmons)
Have you ever heard the man interviewed?
He is a Republican that is mercenary in his greediness and money worship. Shameless charlatan with an ego of no end.
He sucks, and I’m way way over Kiss anyway.
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Michael Letterman
Gene is completely on the point here. No one knows how to publicize in the music industry like Simmons does. There are many who agree with his message. We don’t give a crap what you do in the privacy of your home (with the provision that it is with a consenting adult) but don’t wave your perversion in our faces. The second you do so you lose our support and make targets of yourselves, for ridicule.
For those who want to insult the man keep in mind he arrived in this country near penniless and built and promoted what is arguably one of the most influential bands this country has produced. He has also managed the band’s promotions to place them among some of the richest in the industry. If success is measured in hits and in gross revenue then no one can argue he wasn’t successful.
paf
I think it is sad that Mr. Lambert had to become indecent on the AMA show just to advertise his sexuality. He should have got rid of the filth and the bondage number and stuck to singing and slick dancing and proper entertainment. I am sorry but I agree with Mr. Simmoms, Lambert’s career will never be mainstream now and will not last very long.