Santana slams KISS

Sanatana slams KISS, from contactmusic.com:

(From Contact Music)
“Latin rocker CARLOS SANTANA has slammed outrageous KISS frontman GENE SIMMONS by questioning his musical ability and branding him “Las Vegas entertainment”.

The SMOOTH hitmaker is appalled by the standard of Simmons’ music and insists the rocker hides his lack of skill behind layers of gothic clothing and black make-up.

Santana says, “He’s not a musician, he’s an entertainer. A musician is (JOHN) COLTRANE, BOB MARLEY. Kiss is Las Vegas entertainment, so he wouldn’t know what music is anyway. That’s why he wears all that stuff.

“A musician doesn’t need the mask and the mascara so there’s a difference between an entertainer and a musician.”

Response from Gene:

Carlos Santana is cool. His assessment? I have no problem with it. That’s why they make menus in restaurants. Not everyone likes the same meal. I wish him well.

Personally, I have about every Santana record ever made – and also every KISS record ever made. Santana is a good guitarist, but honestly I don’t think he’s better than KISS. I can put on Santana records for hours and some of it can just put you to sleep. He’s put out two albums now (including the lastest one) which are pretty good, but from a guitarist perspective – he’s playing the same old tired leads in each one. From a guitar player’s point – he’s a one trick pony.

I can get my fill of KISS too – it’s true, but my tolerance is much longer with KISS than Santana. Sure, the makeup is a novelty – we all get that. But the musical anthems they have put out over decades outshine the theatrics that are just part of the show. KISS makes fun of themselves all the time. When you compare the two Santana is to me as much a one trick pony as Ace Freheley. I’ll always love Black Magic Woman and Oma Coyo Va – but do most Santana songs have to sound like same? Sorry Ace – I love ya too, but once you learn the standard 6 “Ace” riffs, a guitarist can master any KISS song ever put out.

This does not however make either “not musicians”. Carlos – what were you thinking? You sound like a senior citizen…..wait, oh crap! You ARE a senior citizen. I guess that explains the sentiment.

I checked the genesimmons.com web site, where he had the response quote above – and a pretty classy response I must add. Check out his web site some time – you wouldn’t believe the amount of things he’s into and tv shows he’s got out right now. The man is a walking idea factory.