Gene Simmons Offers Terrible Apology for Telling You To ‘Kill Yourself’ If You’re Depressed
After Gene Simmons of KISS offered some unwarranted advice to those who suffer from depression, he’s had a change of heart, if he actually has a heart. Dr. Simmons’ advice was to f*ck off. and “kill yourself.” Simmons went on to say that people on buildings threatening to jump should just “have some dignity and jump.”
To counter the backlash that ensued, Simmons has apologized. Sort of.
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Simmons wrote on Facebook:
I want to make this statement about my views on depression for the record and to clarify my prior remarks.
To the extent my comments reported by the media speak of depression, I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.
I have never sugarcoated my feelings regarding drug use and alcoholics. Somewhere along the line, my intention of speaking in very directly and perhaps politically incorrectly about drug use and alcoholics has been misconstrued as vile commentary on depression. Unkind statements about depression was certainly never my intention. Fully, you will know that and I do not intend to defend myself here and now, by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with. Rather, I simply want to be clear that my heart goes out to anyone suffering from depression and I deeply regret any offhand remarks in the heat of an interview that might have suggested otherwise.
(my bold)
I’m not sure what he means by those “truly” suffering from depression. It’s not as if psychiatrists are inundated with people faking it. As for drug addicts and alcoholics, obviously he’s never worked in the field had a soul.
Sometimes drug/alcohol abuse intertwines with depression if the latter goes undiagnosed, some people self-medicate. That’s a fact.
Several radio stations, including Power97 and BobFM in Canada have announced that they will no longer play KISS music. A leading Australian station Triple M which owns five metropolitan stations across the country also announced a ban. New York’s longtime WPYX DJ Uncle Vito has followed their lead.
What’s depressing – since he brought it up – is having someone close to you die because of depression or drug/alcohol addiction because both are stigmatized by society, thus making it even more difficult to get treatment.
Jinkies Gene, I hope you don’t get ‘depressed” over the backlash.
Big thanks to my pal Tiffany from Liberal America for sending me the link.
Image: Biography.com
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edmeyer_able August 16th, 2014 at 11:42 am
tl/dr My big mouth is effecting my sales.
NW10 August 16th, 2014 at 11:49 am
http://www.troll.me/images/pissed-off-obama/you-sir-are-an-idiot.jpg
Carla Akins August 16th, 2014 at 11:53 am
That is not an apology. Recently George Takei posted a meme that took a lot of heat. Although initially, he did not pull it he did eventually apologize – he included the evolution that took place in his thinking. It’s a good apology, not perfect but appreciated. You can view it here: http://www.sorrywatch.com/2014/08/15/takeis-sorry/
Anomaly 100 August 16th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
No one on Facebook is buying his ‘apology.’
https://www.facebook.com/officialgenesimmons/posts/701848093236863
DJD11 August 16th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Here’s the line that got me, “…I do not intend to defend myself here and now, by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with.”
Self serving while telling you he’s not going to be self serving.
Yenta August 16th, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Hmmm…”self-help organizations”. That may be very telling…he thinks people should be able to help themselves out of WHATEVER.
M D Reese August 16th, 2014 at 3:09 pm
He really sounds a lot like the typical GOPTP politician who stepped in it and now would like it off of his shoe…
arc99 August 16th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Although I appreciated their creativity and unabashed celebration of the most raucous rock imagineable, I have never been a real Kiss fan. I know enough about them to know that Gene Simmons has always been a much better businessman than bass player. He was always very protective of his copyrights as well as keenly aware of any and all opportunities to maximize the band’s income.
So I am more than a little shocked that Simmons would step in such a huge pile of poo that is sure to have a noticeable effect on the band’s bottom line. Anyway, not much reason for me to pay any attention at all to Kiss anymore..
Oh well, there is always Motley Crue whose bass player is also an a$$hole but in a much more likeable way…
Foundryman August 16th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Simmons is a prime example of gutter trash making it big then return to the gutter.
BanditBasheert August 16th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
I don’t think he EVER left the gutter.
Dcbos August 16th, 2014 at 1:25 pm
KISS my azz.
BanditBasheert August 16th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
A few years ago, wasn’t there a “reality” show on the Simmons Family? And Simmons was drunk during the entire season…!!
He plays a bass – he is NOT a critic, an intellectual, he is barely functioning!
Who cares that he shot off his ignorant booze soaked mouth?
edmeyer_able August 16th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
On must subject you are correct no one should care but on this possibly people who have someone in their family that suffers from depression.
Kelly Turner August 16th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Actually, he hates alcohol and drugs! Otherwise, he’s an idiot, for his comments!
ChrisVosburg August 16th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
A oldie but a goodie:
Q: What do you call a guy who likes to hang around musicians all the time?
A. The bass player.
Ba dump bum.
Herb Sarge Phelps August 16th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
The really sad thing is the Arena Football League was hoping he would get people to watch what is a very good game. It appeared he has done that, but now with this stupidity he will also do damage to the league maybe greater than he did good. He is irresponsible and obviously an idiotic cold hearted person who needs to grow up and remember he steps up to be part of the AFL he should not say stuff that hurts it. I know the owner of the Arizona Rattlers and he is a nice caring person who avoids saying anything to hurt his team’s image. The Rattlers are very active in the community and Simmons spits on this good work with his selfish and hateful statement. Shame on him and may the LA Kiss lose every year until he knows depression and let’s see how well he does with it.
WILLDYE4U August 16th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Again….
It’s not HIM, it’s not Rush,
it’s US!
How come WE just don’t get it?
They just make up the rules as they go along.
The rules change depending on whose turn
it is. For example, if you or I get addicted to
drugs, we must be locked up & throw away
the key. BUT, if it’s Rush’s turn, RULE CHANGE!
A little ‘O!, sorry, a little Re-Hab & BAM! All Good!
They say something that offends millions?
HEY! I didn’t mean THAT! I was talking “off the cuff”,
you’re taking it “out of context”!!!!!!
But “You didn’t build THAT!” & “What
difference does it make?”
You un-American, America HATERS!!!!
Yep!
It’s DEFINITLY US!!!
craig7120 August 16th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
He and other like bands was the reason I went country when country wasn’t cool. I was a rebel, that condidered wearing makeup and big hair to be girly. City boy who likes Barbra Mandrel, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash over Kiss, Aerosmith, Metallica was considered blasphemy.
Tom Petty is and will be my all time favorite rock n roller
Yenta August 16th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Another celebrity who thinks he’s too big to fail! I don’t have statistics, but I believe that MOST substance abuse is an attempt to self medicate. I know there are some people who become addicted by starting with “recreational” drug/alcohol use, but I think the abuse comes from anxiety which leads to depression. These judgmental people think it’s always about choice.
I was once friends with a physician who had no clue about depression. I mentioned something to her about a family member, and she actually told me that she had occasionally been “blue”, but pulled herself out of it! NO CLUE. How many of those are there? And I’ve heard physicians’ conversations where they revealed that they thought addiction was just a choice.
M D Reese August 16th, 2014 at 3:00 pm
If he starts feeling down, I wonder if he’ll take his own advice. I won’t care–I’ll just wonder.
labman57 August 16th, 2014 at 3:12 pm
“I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my comments, and to those who weren’t offended … You guys rock! Everyone else can go ‘off’ themselves.”
Always Right August 16th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Flippant remark, but nothing mean spirited, He failed at Comedy 101.
Anomaly 100 August 16th, 2014 at 8:42 pm
That wasn’t meant to be comedy. He was serious. Why do you excuse this sort of behavior?
I’ll bet you think Nugent is a laugh a minute.
majii August 16th, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Simmons meant everything he said in his original comment. If he didn’t believe the things he said, he’d would have never said them in the first place. Those who support him know he was wrong to say the things he said about depression, alcoholism and other addictions, but they will continue to defend him because he’s one of ”theirs.” There’s no room for truth, empathy, compassion, or objectivity in them. This is who/what they are. Nothing one of “theirs” ever says/does should be criticized or condemned, and if it is, they then claim that it was taken out of context or was a joke, knowing full well that it was neither.
Anomaly 100 August 16th, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Everyone has been touched by drug/alcohol and/or depression in some way. Meaning, they know someone close them that’s gone through it, which makes his remarks even more reckless. He’s a materialistic self-absorbed little twit that only cares about record sales.
On Facebook, his fans are abandoning him. I’m talking about people who aren’t into politics.If someone defends him because he’s one of ‘theirs’ then they too, should be judged. It’s morally bankrupt to call for people who are suffering to ‘kill themselves.’
Anomaly 100 August 16th, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Everyone has been touched by drug/alcohol and/or depression in some way. Meaning, they know someone close them that’s gone through it, which makes his remarks even more reckless. He’s a materialistic self-absorbed little twit that only cares about record sales.
On Facebook, his fans are abandoning him. I’m talking about people who aren’t into politics.If someone defends him because he’s one of ‘theirs’ then they too, should be judged. It’s morally bankrupt to call for people who are suffering to ‘kill themselves.’
majii August 16th, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Simmons meant everything he said in his original comment. If he didn’t believe the things he said, he’d would have never said them in the first place. Those who support him know he was wrong to say the things he said about depression, alcoholism and other addictions, but they will continue to defend him because he’s one of ”theirs.” There’s no room for truth, empathy, compassion, or objectivity in them. This is who/what they are. Nothing one of “theirs” ever says/does should be criticized or condemned, and if it is, they then claim that it was taken out of context or was a joke, knowing full well that it was neither.
Hirightnow August 16th, 2014 at 8:58 pm
I never passed the test for Air Traffic Controller.
That’s why I never tried to be one.
Hirightnow August 16th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
HEADLINE:
Gene Simmons sees income drying up due to stupidity even his die-hard fans see as unacceptable.
RK Johnston August 16th, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Like I said in another post on another site;
As a survivor of suicide (as well as someone who is fighting the Mental Health Wars from the sharp end), I have this to say to Gene Simmons–
You Can KISS My ASS!
–RKJ
Suzanne August 16th, 2014 at 9:50 pm
He made a comment about “being a retard” a few years ago. I stopped listening to him at that point because my son is “special needs”. “retard” is not only politically incorrect, it’s ignorant. My son has autism, but he’s not deaf.
crc3 August 17th, 2014 at 8:52 am
Like I said before…Simmons can go f*ck himself and I mean that with all sincerity…