Feud Alert: Rihanna Slammed by KISS' Gene Simmons—Really?

Rock veteran can't resist lashing out at the Barbadian entertainer to explain what's wrong with today's arena shows

By Josh Grossberg Mar 21, 2012 6:36 PMTags
Motley Crue, KISSKevin Winter/Getty Images

Gene Simmons just decided to give Rihanna a tongue lashing!

At a press conference Tuesday in Hollywood hyping their highly anticipated coheadlining tour with Mötley Crüe, the KISS showman touted the rock and roll shows his band is known for in comparison with what he called "fake" productions of some today's biggest pop stars.

But he caused a stir when he singled out the "S&M" singer as one of the worst offenders.

"We're sick and tired of girls getting up there with dancers and karaoke tapes in back of them," Simmons told the gaggle of reporters. "No fake bulls--t. Leave that to the Rihanna, Shmianna and anyone who ends their name with an A."

Whether this was a ploy for publicity or a heartfelt plea, the rocker expressed dismay that concert arenas, once the domain of major rock bands like his own, have become the domain of today's pop acts.

"No disrespect to Rihanna, she's a great singer, but we're in a slump for some s--t that has some personality and appeal beyond a bunch of pop stuff that's floating around out there," the Crüe's drummer, Tommy Lee, told Billboard.com. "I'm glad he said that actually because I don't think I can bear watching another f--king award show that is just a little bit better than American Idol. It's f--king pathetic to watch people go out and f--king karaoke with a bunch of lights and video."

No word what RiRi has to say about that or Simmons' diss. A rep was unavailable for comment.

In any case, both bands promised a riveting show that, in KISS singer Paul Stanley's words, will offer up "more bombs and artillery" than the military.

Dubbed The Tour, the joint trek kicks off July 20 in Bristow, Virginia, and tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster this Friday.