The feud between two rock titans, Kiss‘s Gene Simmons and guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana, has been brought back into the spotlight following the resurfacing of pointed comments Simmons made about Santana‘s stage presence back in 2009. This exchange is part of a longer-running, if sometimes dormant, clash rooted in their fundamentally different approaches to live performance.
The initial spark reportedly occurred around 2005, when Santana, renowned for his spiritually infused musicianship blending Latin, rock, and blues, took aim at Kiss‘s elaborate stage personas. “He’s not a musician, he’s an entertainer,” Santana stated regarding Simmons, according to Blabbermouth. “Kiss is Las Vegas entertainment, so he wouldn’t know what music is anyway. That’s why he wears all that stuff.” He further elaborated, “A musician doesn’t need the mask and the mascara so there’s a difference between an entertainer and a musician.”
At the time, Simmons offered a more diplomatic public response to the critique, reportedly saying, “Not everyone likes the same meal.” Simmons has often acknowledged that Kiss, from its inception, aimed to incorporate heavy theatrics inspired by British rock acts, feeling that American bands often lacked visual spectacle.
However, Santana‘s remarks seemingly lingered. Four years later, in a 2009 interview with Las Vegas station KVVU-TV while discussing Kiss‘s activities, Simmons didn’t hold back. After stating, “It’s time for us to go out and show the little boys how the big boys do it,” he directly addressed Santana‘s performance style. “I’m sick and tired of these bands like Carlos Santana looking at his shoes and thinking that’s a rock concert,” Simmons declared forcefully. “Get off the stage.”
This verbal sparring underscores a core debate within rock: the value placed on visual entertainment versus pure musicianship. While Kiss built a legacy on dramatic makeup, pyrotechnics, and larger-than-life characters, Santana is celebrated for his intricate guitar work and more reserved, albeit passionate, stage presence. This dynamic mirrors other famous disagreements in rock history, though the contrast between Simmons‘ demonic persona and Santana‘s often peace-espousing image makes this feud particularly distinct.
Despite the past friction, both artists remain active. Kiss officially concluded their “End of the Road” farewell tour in December 2023 but have since announced a return engagement in Las Vegas scheduled for November 2025. Santana is currently on tour across the United States and also has upcoming Las Vegas residency dates booked at the House of Blues. The resurfaced comments serve as a reminder of their long-held, opposing views on what truly defines a rock and roll show.
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