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The Kiss founding member and all-round rock expert spins tunes from the likes of Judas Priest, Deep Purple and Garth Brookes.

The KISS Co-founder bangs your head with Judas Priest, Deep Purple, and er, Garth Brookes.

Since emerging from the Glam Rock scene in New York in 1974, KISS has gone on to sell out stadiums and millions of albums around the world. KISS are legendary for their pyrotechnics and theatrical stage show. Gene Simmons, bassist and founding member, is known for his extraordinary tongue, his tireless work ethic, and his savvy business mind. Not to mention his love of the ladies. But in this series, he joins Radio 2 to share his passion for Classic Rock, which he credits the UK with creating.

'When I was a kid and I turned on the radio - sure we had American RnB and we had the American versions of Rock and Roll - but it wasn't until I heard the Beatles, and then the Stones, and then Led Zeppelin and on and on and on that I feel in love deeply with this thing we call Rock. America created Rock and Roll, but it was the UK that gave the world Rock - Classic Rock. Guitars, amplifiers turned up to 11 - yes glorious 11. Louder is better. Bigger is better. You're girlfriend has been lying to you all these years - size does matter.'

Some of the music he plays comes from bands that inspired KISS, but most are from bands he discovered or invited to tour with KISS - bands like Rush, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, and Van Halen.

Later in the series he tells stories of unlikely collaborations with iconic figures like Bob Dylan (whom he wrote a song with) and Lou Reed who worked with KISS on a concept album 'Music From the Elder'(1981).

Gene also plays music from bands he produced over the years like Wendy O Williams covers of KISS songs performed by Lenny Kravitz and Stevie Wonder, and surprisingly, country superstar Garth Brooks.

'I'm flattered that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 has given me the chance to play the music that I love dearly, that I continue to play over and over again, that I introduce young people to. I'll never forget when my son, Nick, first heard Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy, he went, 'What's that?'And then I played him Queen, and goes, 'What's that?', and that music continues to attracts new ears generation after generation which is why its Classic - Classic Rock.'.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Jun 2015 22:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Anyway You Want It

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You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best

See all episodes from I Love It Loud: The Gene Simmons Rock Show

Music Played

  • Judas Priest

    You've Got Another Thing Coming

    • Boom Boom Live 1990.
    • Lemon.
    • 12.

  • Pat Travers Band

    Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)

    • Boom Boom Live 1990.
    • Lemon.
    • 12.

  • KISS

    A World Without Heroes

    • (Music From) The Elder.
    • Mercury.
    • 7.

  • Lou Reed

    Walk On The Wild Side

  • Gene Simmons

    Waiting For The Morning Light

    • ***hole.
    • Sanctuary Records.
    • 4.

  • Chicago

    I'm A Man

    • (Single).
    • CBS.

  • The Move

    Hello Susie

    • Movements: 30th Anniversary Anthology CD2.
    • Westside.
    • 5.

  • The Tubes

    White Punks On Dope

    • Virgin.

  • Deep Purple

    Burn

    • Purple Rainbows CD2.
    • Universal.
    • 2.

  • The Jimi Hendrix Experience

    Hey Joe

    • Polydor.

Broadcast

  • Wed 24 Jun 2015 22:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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