Nikki Sixx Slams Gene Simmons Over ‘Heartless And Uneducated’ Prince Slurs

Nikki Sixx, of Motley Crue and Sixx A.M., has added himself to the growing line of celebrities eager to criticize Kiss singer and songwriter Gene Simmons, following his comments in regard to Prince’s death. Simmons publicly denounced Prince, suggesting that drug addiction was directly related to the singer’s death and that pursuing such reckless behavior made Prince’s passing “pathetic.” In response, Simmons received a widespread backlash from family, friends, and fans.

Nikki Sixx Speaks Out Against Gene Simmons

Nikki isn’t the first to condemn Gene for his statements about Prince’s death, and he certainly won’t be the last, but his words do seem to give voice to the thoughts of many who may have, at one time, looked to Gene as an idol, a role model, or a personal hero. The Motley Crue bassist even reveals that he had, himself, looked to Simmons as someone worthy of his own worship, but now has woken up to see the cold reality of Gene Simmons.

Sixx said Simmons’ “recent heartless and uneducated remarks about Prince’s death shows why he’s not my hero anymore or anybody’s.”

This past Wednesday, Nikki Sixx was interviewing on WNOR FM99 and was again asked his thoughts on Simmons remarks in regard to the passing of Prince, and once again, Nikki was in no short supply of words on the subject.

“Gene Simmons taking swipes at Prince without actually having the information is what I said #FromHeroToZero. We have no respect for Gene Simmons anymore; nobody in rock does. And I’m not gonna sit back quietly as a person [and] allow a bully to go out there and put down people he doesn’t know anything about,” declared Mr. Sixx.

During the interview session, Nikki was reminded of a previous altercation incited by another statement made by Simmons.

“The last thing that me and Gene got into is he said that if people are depressed, they should kill themselves.”

Nikki says he thinks Gene should just call it a day and let the issue of Prince’s death drop. Instead, Sixx recommends that everyone look at the massive collection of music Prince left behind, commenting that his love of music and his discography should be the only legacy left to consider. Sixx adds that Prince always maintained a high level of professionalism over the years and that making music had always been more important to him than making money.

Gene Simmons Defends His Remarks About Prince

Also on Wednesday, Gene made an appearance on Twitter to counter Nikki Sixx and his criticisms, defending his earlier statements about the death of Prince and the allegations that the Purple Rain singer died as a result of drug abuse.

“I apologize — I have a long history of getting very angry at what drugs do to the families/friends of the addicts,” said the Kiss singer. “I get angry at drug users because of my experience being around them coming up in the rock scene.”

Simmons has long been a very vocal critic of drug use and of those who become addicted to drugs, particularly when such abuses involve a person with talent and promise as a fellow musician. Gene has said that a person who allows himself or herself to become addicted to drugs lacks self-respect and lacks respect for his or her fellow bandmates. Simmons adds that a band is a team and allowing drug use to interfere with one’s creative successes also affects the other members of that team. Mr. Simmons stated that someone who becomes a drug addict doesn’t deserve success.

Kiss will kick off a new 37 date summer tour on July 7, when they take the stage at Boise, Idaho’s Taco Bell Arena.

[Image by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartRadio / Turner]