GENE SIMMONS Explains Why He Named His Second Solo Album ‘A**hole’

While appearing on Mike Rowe‘s podcast “The Way I Heard It With Mike Rowe,” KISS bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons discussed his decision to title his 2004 second solo album A**hole.

“It’s supposed to be an insult and all that,” Gene said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I don’t have a problem with it. I don’t have a problem with anybody calling me anything. I really don’t. I know that I do good. I know that my mom’s okay with me, and that’s all the validation I need.

“There was a song on [the album] called ‘A**hole’,” he explained. “It goes, ‘You’re an a**hole. You’re an a**hole. Maybe I’m an **shole too,’ is the punchline of the chorus. And I thought, ‘Yeah!’”

Expanding on the inspiration behind the album title A**hole, Gene explained: “When I walked into Interscope Records… I was co-managing a band with Paul [Stanley] called CROWN OF THORNS. I came up with that name and created the band. So we got them a deal. And [Interscope co-founder] Jimmy Iovine walks in and says, ‘I want you to listen to a thing. It’s by a new artist I just signed. His name is Tupac.’ And I’m saying, ‘Is he African or something?’ ‘No, no. He is from L.A. or New York.’ ‘Oh, great.’ And it’s just a black cover and it says, ‘4 My’ N-word. [Strictly 4 My N****Z] And I thought it was a joke. ‘Oh, what are you gonna call the album?’ He goes, ‘No, it’s gonna be called that.’ I’m saying, ‘You’re using the N-word?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ And I’m going, ‘Why are you doing that?’ He says, ‘Well, ’cause he’s comfortable with that.’ So the most vile thing you could call an African American is the N-word. They take possession of it and use it themselves. So what’s one of the worst things you can say I am? A**hole. Great. Let’s call the album A**hole.”