In a recent interview, Gene Simmons declared that the Beatles are "above and beyond anything that anybody's seen in music over, oh, 200 years — easily".
The rocker made these comments on a recent episode of The School Of Greatness podcast with host Lewis Howes, where he was asked to name some of the greatest musicians and songwriters in the world that he had seen or heard.
Referring to the Beatles, Simmons said: "You have to understand, they only existed seven years and they came from a place that was a pool filled with liver, Liverpool, where nothing ever happened".
He continued: "High unemployment rate, no experience, no resume, no nothing. And yet [sings] 'I wanna hold your hand', [sings] 'She loves you. Yeah, yeah, yeah.' And that last chord, that minor ninth is as sophisticated chord, if you know about music… That thing is almost like a jazz chord — unheard of in rock music".
Mentioning songs, Simmons added: "Okay, look, I'm gonna give you something you'll be able to understand. [THE ROLLING STONES'] 'Satisfaction' is one of the great songs… It takes about 40 seconds to get to the first [chorus], 'I can't get no…' Or anything. [CREAM's] 'Sunshine Of Your Love'. It takes about 50 seconds to get [to] 'I've been waiting so long' and all that. On and on and on".
"The Beatles. 'I just wrote a new song.' 'What is it called?' 'It's called 'Help'.' 'How's it go?' It goes like this: [sings] 'Help. I need somebody. Help.' Not even an introduction, nothing. 'Got another one for you.' 'What is it called?' 'It's called 'Yesterday'.' 'How's it go?' It goes like this: [sings] 'Yesterday. 'I got another one for you. It's called 'Michelle'.' 'How's it go?' [Sings] 'Michelle…'
'Got another one for you. It's called 'Hey, Jude'.' Not only does it be begin with 'Hey, Jude', the word 'Hey' is before the music. [Sings] 'Hey, Jude', and then the chords come in".
"Those are what's called perfect songs. Not only that, but the title of the song is the first word of the song, it's the most memorable song and it's the last word in the song. [Sings] 'Yesterday.' The last [words of the] song, [sings] 'Cause I believe in yesterday.' Who writes songs like that? It's undeniable, their writing. [Paul] McCartney, especially, by far is the most successful songwriter in all of recorded history. There have been over a thousand different artists who've recorded just 'Yesterday'".
Speaking of KISS, Nick Jonas has been reportedly tapped up to play Paul Stanley in an upcoming biopic about the band. More on this story here.
