The discourse around Gene Simmons’ infamous “Rock is dead” quote just won’t end. The latest to chime in on it is Greta Van Fleet vocalist Josh Kiszka.
Kiszka said in an interview with NME (as transcribed by Loudwire), “Maybe the world of rock [Gene] remembers is dead…I don’t know. I think rock ‘n’ roll is a very elastic genre, it’s a very eclectic genre. It seems like every once in a while, a generation reinterprets what that is.”
Kiszka added, “And I’ve heard a lot, throughout the years, I guess people blowing hot air about… I think rock ‘n’ roll can become dormant, but you can’t kill something that supersedes time. It’s an attitude and a spirit and a celebration. I think people pass the torch and time moves on
Kiszka would conclude, “I think there’s probably a lot of people that would disagree with him. Elton John is one, I’m sure. I’ve heard it come out of his mouth.”
The GVF singer is right; plenty of people disagree with Simmons, including Tony Iommi and Alice Cooper. Perhaps the biggest voice to counter Simmons is his own bandmate Paul Stanley.
Stanley said in a recent interview, “I don’t think that music can ever be dead. I don’t think that bands can be dead, rock can be dead. It just takes somebody to reignite it to the level that it has been at some time in the past.
Stanley added, “A computer will never take the place of flesh-and-blood people making music. People may be enamored with it, and it may eclipse the other, but ultimately, it all comes full circle — it all comes back. It doesn’t go away. It may be sleeping. But there are bands out there making great music. Nobody’s complaining about Foo Fighters. Dave [Grohl] is passionate about what he’s doing and they’re terrific. So there are bands out there. As far as new bands, somebody will come along. Somebody will pick up the flag and go forward. Like I said, the pulse may be a little weak, but the patient’s coming back.”