Condoleezza Rice meets rock band Kiss

Yahoo (AP) ^ | 5/30/08 | MATTHEW LEE

[The_Victor]

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - The Kiss Army fan club has an enthusiastic new recruit: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In a departure from her normally staid diplomatic duties, Rice met the legendary glam rock quartet when they happened to share a hotel in the Swedish capital. Rice was in Stockholm on Thursday for an international conference on Iraq. Kiss had a sold-out gig to play on Friday.

"I was thrilled," Rice said of her late-night encounter with frontman Gene Simmons and bandmates Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer in the executive lounge of the Sheraton Hotel where they signed autographs and handed out backstage passes and T-shirts to her staff.

"It was really fun to meet Kiss and Gene Simmons," she told reporters, noting they seemed well informed about current events. The band had asked if she could stop by after she finished dinner with the Swedish foreign minister and Rice readily agreed, she said.

Simmons and his crew, who are on a European tour, weren't wearing their trademark stage makeup, but were recognizable as rock stars to even non-fans by their hair, according to State Department officials who were with Rice.

Rice, a classically trained pianist, said she has eclectic musical tastes ranging from Beethoven to Bruce Springsteen. Hard stadium rockers like Kiss are included in the mix and Rice said her favorite tune of theirs is "Rock and Roll All Nite."

But, she conceded she had never seen the group in concert.

In fact, although she frequently attends classical music performances, Rice claims to have been to only four rock concerts in her life. The first was in the early 1960s when she went as a 10-year-old to see Paul Revere and the Raiders in her home state of Alabama.

After her family moved to Colorado, Rice went at the age of 16 went on her first date with an Air Force cadet to see Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. She later saw Earth, Wind and Fire in Denver and her last rock and roll show was a U2 concert in Washington, she said.

[tsmith130]

One time at a concert in Singapore (I use to live there), Santana gave me his pick from the stage...right before one of his security people nearly crushed my foot on his way to get some trouble maker out of the audience. I've moved so many times since then, I've lost the pick.

That really has nothing at all to do with this thread...sorry.

[sazerac]

When a band wears 8 inch high heels they are “glamrock.” Twisted Sister, Ziggy Stardust, Kiss, Gary Glitter....

[PLD]

I have seen that show and think it is good, but funny..Gene Simmons is a very intelligent business man..I had just heard of these guys KISS and never listen to the music they play and probably won't, not my type of music at all..They seem like a very happy family that love one another very much..I did see the military show where Gene went to the base to entertain the troops..He also seems to love America which I admire in anyone these days....

[Dr. Ursus]

Total agreement.

[piperpilot]

if anyone has ever seen the Gene Simmons show, there is an episode where he visits San Diego and Ft Pendleton (spelling?) He visits the vets hospital and thanks vets for thier service. He’s down to earth and respects those that protects our freedoms so that his fantasy world is made possible.....in his own words. Much Respect for his respecting those who deserve it!

I happened upon that episode by accident--I don't watch the show--and was very moved by it. Gene Simmons was in awe of those vets. Seeing them brought tears to his eyes. You had to see it to believe it, but I have no doubt that he was absolutely 100% sincere about it.

[Chode]

sure its not FAG rock???

[trublu]

Simmons does indeed love America. In his book he talks about his unabashed, unapologetic pride in his country. He was born in Israel and immigrated here at a young age with his mother.

I believe bandmate Paul Stanley’s mother was actually in a concentration camp.

[mnehring]

What the $^@#$^ is glam rock??

Rockers(sic) who wear more makeup and hairspray than their groupies... (and not in a goth or parody sense either.)

[Kimmers]

I have watched his show and saw that particular episode and it brought tears to my eyes, he was so respectful of our military. He seems to be one rocker that gets it.

I have to say I may disagree with some of the lifestyle choices but he raising some nice kids.

[massgopguy]

Simmons speaks five languages including Chinese. The man ain’t stupid.

[mnehring]

Mr. Chaim Witz seems to be a pretty cool guy once you get past the hedonism. (but heck, he is a rocker so you gotta forgive that.) He is always doing charity events and has done a lot for the USO and other military organizations.

[mnehring]

sure its not FAG rock???

Funny thing is they were getting 'more' on tour than probably everyone on this thread in our lifetimes combined.

[numberonepal]

He seems to be one rocker that gets it.

Here's another:

[LIConFem]

Geez, the second from the left is prettier than I am.

Think I'll stick with '50s, '60s and '70s classic.

[surrey]

I love Gene’s show. He sure does come across as a really nice guy and I agree his kids are normal and adore him.

[JZelle]

Was Che’s image on the pick?

[onedoug]

Trying to get Sweden ceded to Norway?...

[weegee]

Rock and Roll PING!

[weegee]

THE poster boy of GLAM:

[weegee]

Nope. Those were hair rockers.