The Unlikely Intersection of Kiss and Van Halen: Gene Simmons’ Revelation
Gene Simmons and Eddie Van Halen: A Brief History
Gene Simmons, the iconic bassist and co-founder of Kiss, recently shared a fascinating piece of rock history: Eddie Van Halen once contemplated joining Kiss during a turbulent phase in Van Halen’s career. Simmons, who played a pivotal role in Van Halen’s early success, recounted how he ultimately convinced the legendary guitarist to remain with his band.
Simmons’ Role in Van Halen’s Rise
In the mid-1970s, Simmons was one of the first major advocates for Van Halen. He discovered the band while attending a performance at the Starwood club in Los Angeles in 1976, an experience that left him “incredulous.” This encounter led to Simmons producing the band’s acclaimed Zero demo, which featured early versions of future classics like “Runnin’ With the Devil” and “House of Pain.”
The 1982 Crossroads: A Moment of Decision
Despite his initial enthusiasm, Simmons eventually stepped back from managing Van Halen due to conflicts with Kiss’s commitments and the band’s manager, Bill Aucoin. However, the paths of Kiss and Van Halen nearly crossed again in 1982, during the recording of Kiss’s album “Creatures of the Night,” following the departure of guitarist Ace Frehley.
Eddie’s Proposal: A Turbulent Time for Van Halen
In an interview with MusicRadar, Simmons revealed that Eddie Van Halen reached out to him amid escalating tensions with lead singer David Lee Roth during the Diver Down era. “Eddie told me, ‘Roth is driving me nuts. I can’t take it. I gotta leave. I know you’re looking for a lead guitar player. Do you want me in the band?'” Simmons recounted.
A Terrifying Drive and a Tough Decision
Following Eddie’s call, he drove over to the studio in a doorless Jeep, which Simmons described as a “terrifying” experience due to Eddie’s aggressive driving style. After grabbing a bite to eat, Eddie listened to Kiss’s new material and expressed genuine excitement over the tracks. “He heard some of the tracks and was like, ‘Oh, I really like that!'” Simmons remembered.
The Advice That Changed Everything
Despite the prospect of bringing one of rock’s greatest guitarists into the fold, Simmons advised Eddie against joining Kiss. He emphasized that Van Halen was fundamentally centered around Eddie’s guitar work. “I said, ‘Eddie, a band is worse than a marriage,'” Simmons explained. “‘But with Van Halen, everything begins and ends with you — it’s all about the guitar.’
The Legacy of Eddie Van Halen
Simmons compared Eddie’s significance in Van Halen to that of Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin, asserting that there wouldn’t be space for Eddie’s creative force within Kiss. “It would be like putting Jeff Beck or Hendrix in AC/DC,” he stated. “Eddie would have taken over.”
Reflecting on the Decision
Looking back, Simmons believes he made the right choice by encouraging Eddie to stay with Van Halen, even though it meant the band eventually lost Roth. Van Halen went on to release “1984,” their final album with Roth, before transitioning into the Sammy Hagar era, which brought even greater commercial success.
A Lesson in Leadership
Simmons expressed his admiration for Roth, stating, “I love Roth—that’s still my favorite era of Van Halen.” However, he acknowledged that a new lead singer could be found. He likened the situation to AC/DC, who achieved new heights after the passing of Bon Scott, concluding, “So that rule — ‘You can’t lose the lead singer?’ Actually, you can.”
Conclusion
The story of Gene Simmons and Eddie Van Halen is a testament to the unpredictable nature of rock music, where decisions made during moments of crisis can significantly alter the course of history. Simmons’ foresight in advising Van Halen’s guitar hero to stay true to his band ultimately allowed both Van Halen and Kiss to thrive in their respective journeys.
FAQs
Did Eddie Van Halen officially join Kiss?
No, Eddie Van Halen did not join Kiss. Gene Simmons convinced him to stay with Van Halen instead.
What role did Gene Simmons play in Van Halen’s success?
Gene Simmons discovered Van Halen in the 1970s, produced their Zero demo, and was an early champion of the band, helping to pave their way to success.
Why did Simmons think Eddie Van Halen should stay with his band?
Simmons believed that Van Halen was fundamentally built around Eddie’s guitar work and that joining Kiss would not allow him to showcase his talents fully.
What was the result of Eddie’s decision to stay with Van Halen?
Van Halen went on to release successful albums, including “1984,” which solidified their place in rock history, even after losing lead singer David Lee Roth.
