Flu Wayne Simmons

This 1982 recording features saxophonist Sonny Simmons and drummer Billy Higgins and a smokin' pickup band that included bassist Herbie Lewis and pianist Joe Bonner, and a horn section that added Michael Marcus on baritone, Al Thomas on trombone, and Joe Hardin on trumpet. The opener is "Sparrow's Last Jump," a stomping hard bop workout that features Simmons in top lyrical form and Lewis bowing the entire tune, despite the fact that it's based on hard bop – hell, post-hard bop – changes and is played in 6/8 Mingus tempo! Of course, Higgins is dancing all over the kit and it's obvious that, in his solo, Simmons is reading that frenetic yet seamless dance because he goes over the time signature with his legato phrasing and cascades his arpeggios right through the middle of the intervals. It settles a bit on the title track, where the horns are left out so Simmons is sitting in only the rhythm section. Here, Higgins plays out a double-time rhythm on the ride cymbal before slowing it to four.

Most Kiss fans associate Gene Simmons with the band's hardest-rocking compositions; after all, he's responsible for such heavies as "Watchin' You," "Calling Dr. Love," "Larger Than Life," and "Goin' Blind." So many Kiss fans must have been surprised when they heard Gene's diverse 1978 solo album, with songs that contained choirs and string arrangements, plus elements of Beatles pop, '70s funk/disco, and feel-good rock & roll…

Jeff Simmons (electric bass/piano/organ/accordion/vocals) - erstwhile member of the Indian Puddin' & Pipe, West Coast Natural Gas, Easy Chair, and Ethiopia - issued a pair of solo long-players on Frank Zappa's short-lived Straight Records imprint. First was the primarily instrumental Naked Angels original soundtrack (1969), followed several months later by this LP. Joining Simmons are Craig Tarwater (guitar), Ian Underwood (sax), and Ron Woods (drums/percussion) with Zappa (lead guitar) and John Kehlior (drums) collectively guesting on the exceedingly bluesy selections "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up" and "Raye." Apart from the Zappa connection, the effort showcases Simmons' considerable talents as a composer and performer…

The man, the myth, the legend. Gene Simmons. He’s done, seen and said it all in his career, and we can’t get enough of him and KISS. Today, Gene Simmons has announced The Vault Experience! A limited box set which covers 150 songs spanning his career across 10CDs, feat. Guests Bob Dylan, Eddie & Alex Van Halen, Joe Perry of Aerosmith & Kiss members, AND Gene will personally hand deliver The Vaults to punters who purchase, hence “The Experience”.