Gene Simmons admits he doesn't have any friends

Kiss' Gene Simmons — (Image credit: Francesco Prandoni/Getty Images)

The life of a rockstar might offer a life of luxury in the form of piles of cash, screaming fans and a boujee wardrobe, but can it fill the deep, aching void within us that has us longing for real friendship? For human connection? Is a life unburdened by the ever-present threat of loneliness even possible as a godly, axe-slinging immortal?

If you ask Gene Simmons, he'll tell you no. In fact, the Kiss bass player has even admitted that his friend count stands at a pitiful zero. Luckily, he seems characteristically unfazed by the whole thing.

While speaking in the October/November 2022 issue of Goldmine magazine (as reported by Blabbermouth), Simmons discussed his lack of comradeship in a new interview.

"Even today as I sit here, other than Paul [Stanley, Kiss singer/guitarist and co-founder], and we only get together when we do stuff for the band… How do I say this without sounding inhuman? I don't have friends," he admits.

"Yeah, if friends means, 'Gee, I don't know what I'm going to do this afternoon. Hey, you want to come over and hang out?' I'm more interested in what I want to do, and I don't want to pretend that I'm interested in what you want to do because I am not."

The visionary Kiss co-frontman previously spoke of his absence of mates during a 2006 interview with Kiss Online.

"Quite honestly, Paul and I don't always agree on musical changes, or choice of songs, but intrinsically and at the heart of it, Paul is simply the brother I never had," he said.

"I feel closer to Paul than anyone I know. I have almost no friends. On purpose. I prefer acquaintances. I don't expect anything from anyone and I don't want anyone coming to me with their problems. Everyone is a grown up. But I digress. Paul and I live very close to each other and we don't see each other often. But at the end, he knows I will always be in his corner, simply because I respect him."

Kiss are currently taking their final ever World Tour across North America.

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Liz manages Louder's social media channels and works on keeping the sites up to date with the latest news from the world of rock and metal. Prior to joining Louder as a full time staff writer, she completed a Diploma with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and received a First Class Honours Degree in Popular Music Journalism. She enjoys writing about anything from neo-glam rock to stoner, doom and progressive metal, and loves celebrating women in music.