Gene Simmons Says Talent Shows Leave Artists ‘Disposable’
KISS co-founder Gene Simmons has taken aim at TV talent competitions, arguing that shows such as “The Voice” and “American Idol” produce fleeting attention but not long-term, paid careers for the singers who appear on them. Speaking in a recent interview, Simmons framed the issue as part of a broader shift in how the music business funds and rewards new artists.
In comments from an interview with Legends N Leaders, Simmons said the “saddest thing” is that the industry is still a business, and that even hugely talented contestants often end up returning to low-paying gigs rather than building sustainable careers, Legends reported.
Simmons argued that the modern marketplace makes it difficult for a new generation of era-defining acts to emerge because record labels no longer provide the kind of advances that once helped artists develop. He also complained that widespread free or near-free music consumption leaves musicians unable to be properly paid for recorded work, calling that financial reality a key reason many promising performers struggle to move beyond short-term fame.
He additionally contrasted what he sees as the cultural impact of artists from roughly 1958 to 1988—name-checking figures and bands including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd—with the modern era, where he said there are popular stars but fewer acts that inspire generations of new bands. The remarks arrive amid Simmons’ continuing high-profile commentary on KISS history, including when he discredited Peter Criss while discussing the band’s legacy.
While talent competitions can offer instant exposure, Simmons’ critique underscores an old rock-industry argument: visibility does not necessarily translate into longevity. His latest comments place the blame less on individual performers and more on the shrinking financial support system around recorded music and artist development.
