Gene Simmons Apologizes For Depression & Suicide Comments

After some serious backlash for comments Gene Simmons made about depression, substance abuse and suicide the KISS bassist has apologized.

During a July 31 interview with the website Songfacts, the 64-year-old went on a rant after being asked about getting along with the original members of his band KISS.

“I don’t get along with anybody who’s a drug addict and has a dark cloud over their head and sees themselves as a victim. Drug addicts and alcoholics are always: ‘The world is a harsh place.’ My mother was in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. I don’t want to hear f**k all about ‘the world as a harsh place.’ She gets up every day, smells the roses and loves life. And for a putz, 20-year-old kid to say, ‘I’m depressed, I live in Seattle.’ F**k you, then kill yourself,” he said in the interview. “I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I’m the guy who says ‘Jump!’ when there’s a guy on top of a building who says, ‘That’s it, I can’t take it anymore, I’m going to jump.’”

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Following Robin Williams’ death on Monday — where the actor took his own life — many were critical of Gene’s comments. And now, Gene has addressed his comments.

“I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones,” he said in a message on Facebook. “I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.”

— Jesse Spero