Carole Kaye giving Gene Simmons a bass lesson

hieronymous · July 10, 2014, 01:57:22 PM

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 · July 10, 2014, 02:20:28 PM

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 · July 10, 2014, 03:07:44 PM

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

hieronymous · July 10, 2014, 05:27:37 PM

Quote from: copacetic on July 10, 2014, 02:20:28 PM
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 · July 10, 2014, 07:13:41 PM

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

lowend1 · July 11, 2014, 07:27:07 AM

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 · July 11, 2014, 08:51:19 AM

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.

Quote from: Aussie Mark on July 10, 2014, 07:13:41 PM
I was waiting to hear Carole tell Gene that she played on all of Kiss's studio albums.

westen44 · July 11, 2014, 10:55:39 AM

Quote from: hieronymous on July 10, 2014, 05:27:37 PM
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 · July 11, 2014, 09:14:15 PM

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 · July 12, 2014, 12:40:11 AM

Quote from: Dave W on July 11, 2014, 09:14:15 PM

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 · July 12, 2014, 05:26:33 AM

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 · July 12, 2014, 08:37:05 AM

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 · July 12, 2014, 09:35:57 AM

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

Very cool clip, thanks for sharing.

Basvarken · July 12, 2014, 02:54:21 PM

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 · July 12, 2014, 03:31:23 PM

Nice to see Gene show obvious real respect for her.

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