Gene Simmons Says 'A Good Beating' Would Have Helped Axl Rose

Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage

Gene Simmons knows a thing or two about what makes a successful rock group, and in a recent interview with Music-News.com, he said Guns N' Roses could have been "the best band in the world." There was only one major obstacle in their way: singer Axl Rose.

"A good beating would have helped," the KISS bassist said. "I mean, when you misbehaved as a little kid and continued to do it, there was somebody there to give you a what for. Then when you become a grown-up, who's there to set you straight?"

While Simmons acknowledged that drugs and alcohol also contributed to the demise of GNR's original lineup, he said the blame "falls on Axl's shoulders."

As the recently married reality TV star and shameless master marketer explained, it takes more than an initial flash of brilliance to ensure a long career in music.

"If you're lucky enough to be accepted on stage by the audience, if you're lucky enough to be able to write a song, if you're lucky enough to have charisma on stage, that's the beginning," Simmons said. "And then you've got to be able to deliver night after night after night. And not everybody is designed to run a marathon. Because to be a rock star for decades means you're running a marathon."

Watch Gene Simmons Discuss Guns N' Roses