Kiss’s Gene Simmons Talks About Michael Jackson (And It Isn’t Good News)
Kiss bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons says he’s heard enough celebrity tributes to Michael Jackson, and wants to hear from the kids who accused the late pop singer of molestation.
The estimable Sleaze Roxx website has the following:
“I want the kids who’ve accused him, to be blunt, of molestation, to have their say,” Simmons told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview from Los Angeles on Thursday.
“I want to hear what they have to say. Not celebrities. Let’s celebrate the talent and everything later, let’s just figure out if there are any victims here.”
The recently deceased Jackson was tried for child molestation in 2005 but was ultimately acquitted of all charges by a jury. He faced a similar accusation in 1993 but that case was settled out of court.
Simmons said he initially declined to provide his opinion on Jackson, but that enough time had elapsed since the singer’s death for him to break his silence.
Simmons said he knew Jackson roughly 26 years ago. At the time, Simmons was living with Diana Ross and found Jackson to be “charming and shy and self-effacing, you know, very pleasant, obviously talented”.
Jackson paid millions of dollars to settle out of court with a 13-year-old who accused him of molestation in 1993, Simmons noted.
“I want to know what that boy has to say,” Simmons said.
“So while it’s sad that [Jackson] had this sad life and I understand, that’s horrible – Michael’s not the only victim. I want to know what these boys have to say.”
On a lighter note, former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley has released a commercial for his upcoming solo CD ‘Anomoly’. The album is scheduled for release on September 15, 2009.
Check out the commercial below.
Who cares? The man is dead.
Hate to say it, but I agree. Through all the tributes, tears and hand wringing people appear to have forgotten that potentially Jackson ruined a number of young lives with his alleged behaviour. The truth will probably never be known now.
As a huge KISS fan I like Gene Simmons and respect what he says and does. However, I think he’s overstepped the mark here. Michael Jackson, no matter what your opinion of his lifestyle or eccentricites went through a fair trial in 2005 which evidently pushed him to breaking point. He was found “NOT GUILTY” on all counts, the family proven to be liars and con-artists. He left court back in 2005 a free man, vindicated. Even the tabloid media seemed to agree that the case against Jackson was extremly weak. His early death, on the eve of a possible comeback is absolutely tragic – as was much of his latter life. Let’s leave the guy to rest in peace and be thankfull for the unquestionably brilliant music he produced.
I can`t wait for simmons to die, so I can read about it, the no talent nobody.
He sure is an arse, I wouldn’t mind if he had some integrity, if he really cared why wait until now? oh yeah because either way its either gonna shock people or have them agreeing with him and as they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity (unless of course your a sick criminal of some kind)
Finally. Someone has the guts to say what most of the world has been thinking. Way to go Gene. I can’t believe how fast people forget about things when it suits their needs. I refuse to watch any footage or listen to anything pertaining to Michael Jackson. I would much rather hear about Farrah Fawcett and how hard she fought her battle. R.I.P. Farrah.
Thank you Gene…What the #$%&..Jeeze people…It’s just NOT ok…
To Dawn and Nancy. If you were accused of a crime and then went through a 4 month trial which thankfully ended in a “not guilty” verdict, would you expect people to accept that verdict or would you be happy for people to question it for the rest of your lives? He was found “NOT GUILTY”. End of.
No question that Jackson had huge amounts of talent, but Ive never understood why he settled out of court for a rumoured twenty million U.S. dollars when he was accused of molestation charges a second time.. any grown man that thinks its ok to be in bed with young boys is at the very least, making very poor and naive choices.
If I was in the same situation and was innocent, theres no way in hell I would’ve settled… it just makes you look more guilty I.M.O. plus your rewarding someone for tarnishing your reputation. The fact that he settled out of court always made me suspicious…
Good on Gene for speaking his mind.
He might well have been found not guilty…. but he did have to pay off one of the families … a LOT of money… to keep quiet.
And according to the court transcripts he fed the young kids at Neverland what he called “Jesus Juice” which was alcohol and encouraged them to be in his bed. No smoke etc… Im with Gene.
Go read this…. and get real
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/michael-jackson-bad-and-very-dangerous-1731258.html
God Bless Gene for saying what millions are thinking. To those who say, “Well, he was found innocent of all charges.” So was OJ. Guess he’s innocent, too. Douches.
Gene is right about this one.No one really questions Jackson’s talent but when you say that you like to be in bed with young boys that’s very unappropriate imo.I think that Jackson simply had way too much money and influence to be condemned.
judging by all these comments, I guess my original comment pretty much hit the nail on the head
Here we go again, all those so called victims got what they were looking for, a piece of Micheal’s wealth and fortune. You should asked for the parents of those kids to give an answer for giving their own kids to some one they knew had tendencies to possibly molest kids.
The timing you are using to bring these issues is so out of taste; shame on you; you are just showing the type of individual you are. racist untalented, you had to hide behind a mask because you had no talent as an singer you were a clown and a Jew with strong connections.
You’d think that Gene Simmons would be another dumb rocker but in fact, he is highly intelligent.
Many paedophiles do actually have a charming demeanour which they use to gain the friendship and trust of their victims. MJ really fits the profile in lots of ways.
Actually one boy who had a phone encounter with Jackson in 1979 has already spoken out since MJs death. Maybe there’ll be more to come. I feel sorry for his kids though in the midst of all this.
I think that MJ was the most talented child performer ever and I’m very sad that it’s come to this, it’s all such a mess.
Kiss was a lousy “Band” for People with a very bad Taste. I hate these Guys.
Gene is right on the mark!! where there is smoke there is fire!! who wold pay a boy 20 million+ for doing nothing wrong are you people stupid or what!
Where there’s smoke there’s fire? No, where there’s money, there’s extortion.
Dear MJ Haters, please first check to see if you have a heart or even a smidgeon of compassion for human suffering. Then read this…
Was Michael Jackson Framed?
tinyurl dot com/l9ohxe
Then educate yourself about “universal vitiligo.”
tinyurl dot com/ljj4yl
Then listen to his speech at Oxford University.
tinyurl dot com/njg344
Then stop judging and try really hard to understand…
tinyurl dot com/ldurh9
Then ponder Michael’s body of work and ask yourself, “Have I brought even a small fraction as much joy to the world?
Well, have you?
gene is a classless dickhead and if you think this is copasetic then your a dick too.
I wonder how many underaged children Gene has polaroids of in his collection of thousands. I dont remember there being many groupies over the age of 18 at the concerts I attended in the 70’s-80’s.
It’s been well over 2 months since MJ died (going on 3 now) and the media is still milking the hell out of it; It makes me sick! I’d had enough by the weekend, after just a few days! Princess Diana nor Elvis ever got this much (insane) coverage. The media (and TV Guide channel in particular) is hammering on this enough to piss off Thor! These people are mentally deranged, sucking the life out of fans and non-fans alike. Let it GO! He’s DEAD… let him R.I.P. !! Enough Already!!!!
Read the book by Aphrodite Jones. She was a reporter who thought Michael was guilty and was covering the trial when she looked at the facts she realised she was wrong.
Michael was innocent.
As many underage groupies as this fugly face put it to, he has no right to pass judgment on anybody. He’s a child molestor himself and an admitted one. Those guys thought it was cool as hell when they were banging 13, 14, 15/16-year old groupies. He needs to stfu.
Case in point: Michael Jackson was tried on those charges. What is the point in continuously trying to re-try the man? He’s gone. What does it prove, one way or the other?
Gene Simmons needs to be investigated about all the little girls he diddled with back in the day.
Sandy, Gene Simmons was also very wily and charming, I’m sure, when he was coaxing all of those underaged girls into his bed during the 70’s. Don’t be swayed by what this do-good poseur has to say.
Gene Simmons needs to do his research.For one thing Michael didn’t pay his accusers,his insurance company did and it was against Michael’s wishes.It is all in the transcripts.Second of all if any of this was true don’t you think the FBI would have found all this out,they followed Michael around for 17 years and found NOTHING! NO ONE CAN OUT SMART THE FBI FOR THAT LONG! If there were any truth to any of it someone would have come forward long ago,but hey, they cant really extort money from a dead man now can they??That’s all it was from day one!Gene Simmons is a real pig and nothing but a whore master.He sure isn’t much of a role model for his kids that is for sure.You cannot tell me half of the women he admits to sleeping with were all of age either.KISS is nothing but a bunch of fat old men and has beens.For someone who pretends to be so concerned for kids,what does he think statements like this is going to do to Michael’s kids.Now this puke is trying to say a musician told him he had seen kids coming out of MJ’s room what the hell does that prove,not a damn thing and it is all hear say.Why didn’t this so called musician come forward himself during the trial.LIARS AND COWARDS!
Way to go SOCALGAL. That is exactly my thoughts. Unfortunately we still have to deal with all the ignorant prople in this world.
This is very sad.
Not only is there absolutely no record of any musician quitting any of Michael Jackson’s tours, it is also well documented that Michael adored children of both sexes.
Mr Simmons himself says he met Michael when he was a teenager and that this is the extent of his involvement in Michael’s life. Therefore any theories he has regarding the turbulent allegation years of 1993 and 2003-2005, are mere speculation.
His ’smoke without fire’ comment is no replacement for the fact that after 10 years of being investigated by both the LAPD and the FBI, no evidence of criminality concerning children could be attributed to Mr Jackson. There is also the small matter of the 12 American citizens in the dominantly Republican State of Santa Barbara who found Michael to be unequivocally – not guilty.
Anyone can allege anything, and they often do when money is at stake – as the thwarted extortion attempts of Letterman, Travolta and Cindy Crawford attest. What is needed is a clear rebuttal of these outrageous statements by Mr Simmons who it is clear, has not found his days of ’shocking for effect’ easy to leave behind.
Gene Simmons is a loser who is trying to capitalize on the fact that in the 1980s, he met Michael Jackson on a few occasions while he was dating Diana Ross. He described Michael in glowing terms back then.
Now, he relies upon pure lies to sell more Kiss/Simmons junk. He claims that there was a witness who testified about a tape regarding “Jesus Juice.” Who was the witness? Ask Tom Sneddon, the prosecutor if any such witness existed. Even he would laugh.
Also, Simmons wants to hear from the accusers. Where was his concern when Michael was alive? Of note, the father who accused Michael in 1993 recently killed himself while alone in his apartment. NO ONE attended his cremation. Hmmm? Also, as I recall, the accuser in 2005 got a criminal trial to let the world hear what he had to say. It wasn’t much and clearly it was unbelievable.
I also love Gene’s tales of boys from Brazil. During the trial the prosecutor was unable to provide any evidence that Michael Jackson had any involvement with Brazil or sending the Arvizos to Brazil. The whole Brazilian connection was a pure figment of the prosecution’s imagination.
Clearly, Gene Simmons has used the public’s ignorance of the trial and the evidence to fool this magazine. The trial transcripts are available online. There was a great deal of evidence-none of it demonstrated guilt.
Mr Simmons’s comments are inaccurate.
They are also a repetition of some of the remarks contained in the opening statement made by Tom Sneddon – the man who unsuccessfully prosecuted Mr Jackson in the trial of 2005.
It is perhaps not suprising that Mr Simmons makes these remarks, for they were the type widely publicized by the press in the period leading up to the trial.
The fact that Michael’s lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, overwhelmingly disproved each of the very allegations Mr Simmons is now repeating, was barely covered by the press at the time – or since.
There is also there absolutely no record of any musician quitting any of Michael Jackson’s tours, and such information is readily available if anyone wishes to look for it.
Mr Simmons himself says he met Michael when he was a teenager and that this is the extent of his involvement in Michael’s life. Therefore any theories he has regarding the turbulent allegation years of 1993 and 2003-2005, are mere speculation.
His ’smoke without fire’ comment is no replacement for the fact that after 10 years of being investigated by both the LAPD and the FBI, no evidence of criminality concerning children could be attributed to Mr Jackson. There is also the small matter of 12 American citizens in the dominantly Republican State of Santa Barbara who found Michael unequivocally – not guilty.
Anyone can allege anything, and they often do when money is at stake – as the thwarted extortion attempts of Letterman, John Travolta and Cindy Crawford demonstrate.
What is needed is a clear rebuttal of these outrageous statements made by Mr Simmons, who clearly has not found his days of ’shocking for effect’ easy to leave behind.
Mr Simmons’s comments are inaccurate.
They are also a repetition of some of the remarks contained in the opening statement made by Tom Sneddon – the man who unsuccessfully prosecuted Mr Jackson, in the trial of 2005.
It is perhaps not suprising that Mr Simmons makes these remarks, for they are typical of the kind widely publicized by the press in the period leading up to the trial.
The fact that Michael’s lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, overwhelmingly disproved each of the very allegations Mr Simmons is now repeating, was barely covered by the press at the time – or since.
There is also absolutely no record of any musician quitting any of Michael Jackson’s tours – for the reasons Mr Simmons alleges, and such information is readily available if anyone wishes to look for it.
Mr Simmons himself says he met Michael when he was a teenager and that this is the extent of his involvement in Michael’s life. Therefore any theories he has regarding the turbulent allegation years of 1993 and 2003-2005, are mere speculation.
His ’smoke without fire’ comment is no replacement for the fact that after 10 years of being investigated by both the LAPD and the FBI, no evidence of criminality concerning children could be attributed to Mr Jackson. There is also the small matter of 12 American citizens in the predominantly Republican State of Santa Barbara who found Michael unequivocally – not guilty.
Anyone can allege anything, and they often do when money is at stake – as the thwarted extortion attempts of Letterman, John Travolta and Cindy Crawford demonstrate.
What is needed is a clear rebuttal of these outrageous statements made by Mr Simmons, who it is clear, has not found his days of ’shocking for effect’ easy to leave behind.
Gene Simmons has no idea of what he is talking about. If Kiss fans care to know the truth (which I doubt) it can be looked up. You can start with a journalist by the name of Charles Thomson.
I sincerely hope he forwards these lies to MJ’s family and estate attorneys so Gene Simmons can be rightfully sued!
From Charles Thomson award winning journalist: http://www.charles-thomson.net
Gene Simmons In Bonkers Jackson Rant
It seems that the lead in Gene Simmons’ make-up has gone to his brain.
In a bizarre rant during a Classic Rock interview, Simmons accused Michael Jackson of child molestation, citing several completely fictitious pieces of evidence.
The aging glam-rock star claimed that he knew a musician who quit a Michael Jackson tour because of ‘what he saw’ on the road. I am frequently paid as a Jackson expert and I can state with certainty that I am unaware of any musician ever quitting a Michael Jackson tour mid-way through. In fact, Jackson used the same musicians every time he toured, with minor alterations on a tour by tour basis, but never mid-way through.
Elsewhere, Simmons claimed that Michael Jackson was on tape ordering ‘Jesus Juice’ for children. This is a fiction.
It was alleged during Jackson’s trial that he served alcohol to the Gavin Arvizo and his siblings, but they each gave contradictory accounts of the incident. Staff accused by the children of serving them booze all denied having ever done so, but did reveal that the children had been caught stealing alcohol behind Jackson’s back.
No audio tape of Jackson ordering alcohol for children was ever brought forward and the star was acquitted on multiple counts of serving alcohol to a minor. Simmons’ claim that Jackson was on tape ordering alcohol for children is pure fantasy.
By far, Simmons’ most outrageous claim was that during Jackson’s trial a travel agent testified that the star had hired them to fly to Brazil and fetch young boys for him. This allegation is a total figment of Gene Simmons’ imagination. No such testimony ever occurred during Jackson’s trial.
Growing up, I was always taught that if you don’t know what you’re talking about, you shouldn’t say anything. Evidently Gene’s parents didn’t instill in him the same belief. That, or he’s just going senile.
It is completely irresponsible to pass comment on a criminal investigation that you know nothing about and even more irresponsible to make a criminal accusation and then support it with non-existent evidence. Simmons has heard fragments of reported speech from Jackson’s trial and then assigned them entirely new meaning as the years have passed, building up an arsenal of evidence against Jackson which never actually existed.
However, the blame doesn’t lie solely at Simmons’ door. Classic Rock should do their research before regurgitating such drivel. Yes, it is reported speech, but it is still irresponsible for any publication to perpetuate baseless myths which indicate that an innocent man is a paedophile.
Thanks to Google News, this story has now gone global. All over the world people are reading it and many will believe Simmons’ comments, partially because he’s in the music business and there is an element of presumed insider knowledge, but mostly because the initial reporting on Jackson’s trial was so inept.
Simmons’ comments have no basis in reality. Jackson is categorically not on tape ordering children alcohol. There was categorically not any testimony at his trial about flying boys in from Brazil. These two allegations are without any evidencial basis whatsoever, and for Simmons to state them as fact is despicable.
In future, Simmons should either do his research or shut his trap. His irresponsible and unfounded allegations have now entered the homes of millions around the globe and you can bet your bottom dollar that nobody is going to print a rebuttal or a retraction.
Mr. Simmons! I don’t know what kind of music you would be producing with such hateful and jealous thoughts about Jackson. Your venomous and hateful viewpoint also reflects your obvious extreme jealousy for a wonderful human being who had tremendous influence on millions around the world. You envy his unparalleled talent and loving messages to humanity through his unique work. You are still unable to bear the fact that Jackson was not only rich financially but extremely wealthy in love. Please…learn to spread love to the world instead of salacious opinions about an innocent person. Use your God-given talent, if you have any, to spread love instead of wasting your energy to pollute this world. Have you done in your entire pathetic life as much good for this world as Jackson did in one day of his extraordinary life? Accept the truth that people like you are responsible for killing not only the greatest entertainer but one of the greatest humanitarians America ever produced. Stop manipulating the public by feeding them lies. It is not just in Jackson’s body of unparalleled work that his ultimate greatness lies, but in his unparalleled humanity. His music and dance are only an expression and manifestation of love, compassion and humanity toward his fellow human beings and our planet. Jackson’s intense ability to think and feel deeply made him a very caring and loving human being.
MJ haters! If you take a little time, there’s a lot of well-documented information on the internet about Jackson’s trial—all of which speaks to his innocence. The recently released FBI files further corroborate the truth of his innocence. It’s very clear that the false accusations against Jackson and the continuous media ridicule even after he was acquitted by a jury reflect poorly on our justice system.
this is from March, no comment from this jerk, since ?
I feel sick to my stomach again.
He dare speak from his ___.
How the ___ can he support these lies and the perverse sensationalism of media ?
If he really wanted to find “the boy” why didn’t he just do it. We want that creep to come forward someday, anyway.
Does he crave attention in some sick way ?
By the way, MJ did not pay out $ to the creep; insurance did. See Geraldine Hughes on youtube prove it.
Who really gives a rat’s ass what Gene Simmons has to say?
Arvizo was proven to be a habitual liar. No way did Jackson abuse that boy following an intense investigation by LE and CPS, and while still under investigation by the LA and SB DAs offices. Even the most deviant pedo wouldn’t take such a risk. Jackson had all the time prior to that, why wait until after he was under investigation? Arvizo has confirmed Jackson’s innocence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uHSUQ_X9LU
Yes, wouldn’t we love to hear Chandler’s story, NOT in some sleazy tabloid, but from the horse’s mouth while under oath. He declined two opportunities to tell his story. Appears he was smarter than Arvizo, and didn’t want to be cross examined and have all the lies spill forth. He fled the country to avoid testifying in 05 because he knew that Mesereau had witnesses prepared to testify to the truth- Chandler told them his father made him lie.
Every adult in Chandler’s life attempted to use him for their personal gain. From the mother who pushed her son on Jackson and gave him their phone number; to the father who gave him a hypnotic and planted suggestions; to the uncle who wrote a book (side stepping the confidentiality agreement) and printing alleged private counseling session between Jordan and a shrink; to both DAs who were pushing a law that would allow them to force Jordan to testify; to the Medialoid press that printed some of the most disgusting rumors and otherwise private information about a minor. In fact, Jackson was the only one who genuinely cared about his well being.
Jennifer batten has silenced gene simmons once and for all. The guy is a liar:
http://charlesthomsonjournalist.blogspot.com/2010/02/jackson-guitarist-no-truth-\
to-simmons.html
charlesthomsonjournalist.blogspot.com/2010/02/jackson-guitarist-no-truth-\
to-simmons.html
To be honest, I just knew today who Gene Simmons is, after countless search of all MJ’s article everyday.
He’s unfamiliar for me that I’m expecting more like him will have future writings about MJ on their Tweeter and Facebook.
Racist S.O.B
Whats so bad about asking the alleged victims? It would be justice for all participants. I tried to believe in MJs innocence , but the evidence shows me different.
I dont know if I like Gene Simmons, but he is right. We should get to know the truth about the idol Michael Jackson and his victims …or his bad accusers. Why do his fans never want to know ?
In case all have forgotten the so called victims testified in the 2005 trial. To the dismay of the prosecutor they testified on Michael’s behalf. The other 2 one of which was Gavin Arvizo were simply proved to be liars. Jordan Chandler fled the country so he wouldn’t be served to testify.
People who don’t know the FACTS should just be quiet. I’m getting rid of my KISS license plate. No more free advertisement, Genie. Enough is enough!
Jennifer Batten has totally discredited all the lies Simmons told.
I agree with DJ totally.
According to Jennifer Batten, Simmons is a liar, he made up the story to tarnish Michael’s reputation because he was fired a WEEK BEFORE Michael started the tours.
We are in the U.S.A.! Everyone has a right to their opinions! Because of this, Mr. Simmons can speak his opinion, and Mr. Jackson lived his life the way he saw fit! Mr. Jackson may have been acquited in that trial, but why did he pay millions to another accuser? Only God knows, and He is the ultimate judge!! No one will get away with anything! R.I.P.
He was a rich star in LA LA land! Of course he was found not guilty. All you had to do was look and listen to the guy to know he was playing with little boy’s wieners. He said it was perfectly normal for grown men to lay in bed with children. All pedophiles think that way. Wake up people!
Michael Jackson died 9 months ago, I have yet to hear from any of his ‘victims’. Also, Jordan Chandler was asked to testify by the D.A. Tom Sneddon at the 2005 and he REFUSED TO TESTIFY, and he left the U.S. so he would not have to testify. On Nov. 4, 2009 Evan Chandler blew his brains out. He is the one who extorted the $$ from MJ. Evan Chandler was also estranged from his son Jordan for years, I have also read that Jordan didn’t even go to his dad’s funeral. So where are the victims, why aren’t they talking???
If any one is still interested in this story please listen to this interview of Charles Thomson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51vkwknqsdY
@Sue
Opinions are one thing, outright lies that will hurt three children undoubtedly struggling to cope with the death of their father – are another.
If Mr Simmons had any decency he would apologize for his remarks. They were utterly baseless and in light of Batten’s statements – clearly indefensible.
I won’t hold my breath for an apology though, that takes real courage and integrity – and Simmons possesss neither.
Obviously the media didn’t make a big hype about the boy admitting that he lied…maybe you guys should look that up cause he fessed up. Of course he settled out of court he didn’t want to ruin his name and it ended up happening anyway. Micheal helped those families and in return then screwed him. Read “The Michael Jackson Conspiracy” by Aphrodite Jones. She was actually in the court during the trial and speak of what the media didn’t mention. This all got blown out of proportion because the media condemed him even before a verdict!! And the book proves he was out righ framed.