Gene Simmons Declares Rock Is Dead—Is He Right or Just Out of Touch?
For years, Gene Simmons has been sounding the alarm: Rock is dead. The KISS frontman has repeatedly argued that modern rock bands simply don’t measure up to the legends of the past. His latest remarks are just as blunt.
“They don’t exist. Name one, if you can think of one,” Simmons challenged in a recent interview, dismissing the idea that any contemporary rock band has reached the heights of past giants like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, or even KISS itself.
While Simmons’ statement is bound to enrage younger rock fans, he does raise an uncomfortable question: Where are the new rock gods?
Is He Right? The Case for Rock’s Decline
It’s hard to argue against the fact that rock’s dominance has faded. In the ‘70s, ‘80s, and even ‘90s, rock bands weren’t just popular; they were culture-defining. They sold out stadiums, dominated radio waves, and dictated the fashion and attitude of entire generations.
Today? The biggest names in music are pop stars and rappers—Taylor Swift, Drake, and BTS, to name a few. Rock acts struggle to crack mainstream charts, and album sales for even the biggest rock bands pale in comparison to what artists from other genres pull in.
Streaming has only made things worse. Rock thrived on full albums, but today’s generation consumes music through algorithm-driven playlists that prioritize viral hits over album-oriented artistry. There’s also the lack of mystique—rock stars once felt larger than life, but in an age of social media oversaturation, artists are more accessible than ever, and perhaps, less mythical.
Or Is Simmons Just an Out-of-Touch Gatekeeper?
On the flip side, many argue that Simmons’ take is just another bitter old rocker complaining that “things aren’t like they used to be.” Rock might not dominate like it once did, but that doesn’t mean great bands don’t exist. Acts like Foo Fighters, Greta Van Fleet, Royal Blood, and The Struts have kept the genre alive. If anything, rock has evolved into new forms—punk, indie, and alternative scenes are thriving.
And let’s be real—if the industry worked today like it did in the ‘70s, would KISS even make it? The band was criticized early on for being more about theatrics than musical talent. The same criticisms Simmons lobs at new bands could have easily been aimed at KISS in their prime.
The Harsh Reality: Rock Might Not Be Dead, But It’s No Longer King
Ultimately, Simmons’ comment might be both right and wrong. Rock still exists, but it’s no longer the dominant force in mainstream music. The days of rock bands becoming the biggest stars on the planet might be over.
But does that mean rock is dead? Not necessarily. Maybe it just means that the genre is evolving into something different—something that Simmons and other rock purists simply don’t recognize.
So, what do you think? Is Gene Simmons onto something, or is he just clinging to a past that will never return?