Desmond Child Describes Gene Simmons Lame Apology Over KISS Hit

The 2019 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO - Day 3

Desmond Child says the song that kicked off his career as a hit-maker was bittersweet at first.

Child befriended KISS front man Paul Stanley in the late-'70s. At some point Stanley, a fan of Child's band The Rouge, suggested the two try writing a song together. The result was one of Kiss's biggest hits, "I Was Made for Lovin' You."

Despite the song's commercial success, many longtime Kiss fans did not appreciate the song's disco influence. Even bassist Gene Simmons was quick to condemn the tune, and has repeated over the years that he "hates" it passionately.

Child tells Chris Jericho's Talk Is Jericho podcast that Simmons "never liked" the song and was unkind to him after it became a hit. That's no way to treat someone who "put money in your pocket," Child notes.

The Songwriters Hall of Famer says what really "hurt" him was when Stanley passed the buck on Simmons' actions by saying, "'[T]hat's Gene. It's not me.'"

After the conversation with Stanley, Child says Simmons left a message on his answering machine.

"It was, 'Hi, it's Gene, sorry,' and he hung up," Child laughed. "That was his apology!"

The two eventually reconciled, however. Child noted that, "After all these years, he's been an amazing friend and a supporter, and actually a mentor."

Kiss is in the midst of its 'End of the Road' farewell tour. Go here for tickets and more information.

Photo: Getty Images


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