Fans are killing music says Gene Simmons

Kiss bassist and general rock legend Gene Simmons reckons that music piracy is destroying the music industry – and fans will ultimately suffer for it

“I still think [downloading] is a crime,” he states flatly in our new issue. “The sad part is that the fans are the ones who are killing the thing they love: great music. For fuck’s sake, you’re not giving the next great band a chance. How much have we lost through illegal downloading? It’s certainly millions. I don’t think it’s tens of millions, but it’s certainly millions. But so much of what we do with the licensing and the merchandising and all that…we do alright!”

Do you agree with Gene? Is downloading still ultimately a crime and should be treated as such?

Oh, and read more from the typically no-nonsense and, dare we say, rather ostentatious mouth of Gene Simmons in our new issue, out now!

Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.