Simmons Gives Lambert the Kiss of Death

Dennis Kraniak

MyFoxDetroit - Gene Simmons interview during the Fox 2 News Show 'Live at 11' on Thursday was set up to give the rock icon an opportunity to talk about the upcoming season of his television show " Gene Simmons Family Jewels ."

He talked about the show all right, but then with typical Simmons candor, he offered an answer to a question posed by Foxbeat Entertainment reporter Lee Thomas:

Thomas: "Is there any possibility that Adam Lambert will perform with your band Kiss in the future?"

Gene Simmons: "Well you know he's a very talented kid. He should have won American Idol as far as I am concerned. I will tell you that he deserves to be in a rock band that serves his particular style. He really doesn't have a rock-n-roll voice."

"He's more like Queen. He'd be great on Broadway. He's a great belter and all that stuff. But unfortunately, he's let the other story take center stage...his sexual preferences. That's going to be a career killer. I think it's going to be over before it's begun and it's unfortunate because the kid's got the pipes. There's no questions."

"He should really shut up. No one cares what you do behind closed doors anyway. And if you're putting that front and center, you're forcing us to deal with it and it's going to be a turnoff for the masses."

Lambert performed with rock band Kiss during the American Idol show finale, and bassist Gene Simmons was not as ready then to crown Lambert a rock singer. Rolling Stone reports that Simmons posted on his web site: "Respectfully, I don't think Adam is a rock singer," Simmons writes. "He sounds much more convincing singing ballads and Broadway shows. His voice doesn't seem to have a 'rock quality.' But, I'm sure hes going to do just fine."

"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert recently landed the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, where he talks about sex, drugs and his "Idol" experiences.

The 27-year-old singer from San Diego acknowledged in an interview that he's gay, and says it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Says Lambert: "I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

Simmons, co-founded KISS 35 years ago. The band is currently touring the world with US dates to come. The band is letting fans dictate where they perform, based on the number of online votes from KISS ARMY members in each city. His unconventional family are back and more drama-filled than ever for an all-new season of A&Es hit unscripted series Gene Simmons Family Jewels , kicking off with Sophies sweet sixteen party, giving viewers an all access pass to the celebration.