Carole Kaye giving Gene Simmons a bass lesson

[hieronymous]

This appeared on the notreble.com website:



I'm kind of surprised how gracious Mr. Simmons is. They really need to both have basses so that she can show him the riff. But I think sometimes his bass playing abilities show through.

[copacetic]

Always admired her. She's a gracious and nice person to boot too. I had a nice correspondence going with her about 10 years ago, when I had some questions. She even me gave her phone number. At that time she was also very interested in getting her record straight and the record overall on recordings that she had done that were being credited to others. She also is really stuck on that Ibanez bass.

[Highlander]

Oh, it's hard to be humble... but he does a pretty good job of it...

[hieronymous]

Always admired her. She's a gracious and nice person to boot too. I had a nice correspondence going with her about 10 years ago, when I had some questions. She even me gave her phone number. At that time she was also very interested in getting her record straight and the record overall on recordings that she had done that were being credited to others. She also is really stuck on that Ibanez bass.

There's something stuck on the bass too! Foam mute from the top?

[Aussie Mark]

I was waiting to hear Carole tell Gene that she played on all of Kiss's studio albums.

[lowend1]

Could be the first time I've ever seen Gene not only temporarily shelve his ego, but also border on gushing over someone's playing.

[gearHed289]

Yeah, I thought that was a cool clip. I've seen some facebook comments about "oh, see, he really does suck!", but it looked to me like he was just a guy learning a bass groove he'd never played before. He was totally open to her suggestions and made the effort. Doesn't help that there's a cameraman there, but I guess HE should be used to that. 

I was waiting to hear Carole tell Gene that she played on all of Kiss's studio albums.

 

[westen44]

There's something stuck on the bass too! Foam mute from the top?

I'm not sure, but for whatever reason I think Carol Kaye may leave that on on purpose.  It seems like I remember that from somewhere. 

[Dave W]

I think you're right, she does use a foam mute.

As for Gene, it doesn't surprise me that his real personality is not his Kiss persona.

[amptech]

As for Gene, it doesn't surprise me that his real personality is not his Kiss persona.

I doubt that would be possible

But if he ever gets interviewd about this, he'll probably say that he traded the bass lesson for a 'flute' lession or something...

[Denis]

Perhaps he's being polite to her as a way of making up for the fact he was a complete asshole to Terry Gross when she interviewed him on "Fresh Air".

[nofi]

terry gross is wonderful. i don't think she has a mean bone in her body. a shame she had to interview gs. kiss persona or not he is still the supreme asshat in my book.

[ilan]

He never got the groove of her lick, he was trying to play disco octaves.

Very cool clip, thanks for sharing.

[Basvarken]

For a man who's been making a living as a professional bass player for more than 40 years his technique and ability is rather disappointing (imho).

[mc2NY]

Nice to see Gene show obvious real respect for her.

But I think he just stole her bass line for a new KISS tune