When Kiss frontman and bassist Gene Simmons first laid eyes on The Beatles as a young boy, he had no idea that the encounter would spark a lifelong passion for music — and eventually lead him to name one Beatles album as the defining influence of his career.
Simmons’ introduction to the band came in 1964, when The Beatles made their iconic American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. The performance was more than just a TV moment — it was a cultural earthquake. Millions tuned in to watch four young men from Liverpool play songs that would change the direction of popular music forever.
“When I was a kid, I was affected by the Beatles — like a religious event, like a singularity,” Simmons told Spin Magazine. “I wasn’t a musician, I was just a kid. I turned on the TV, and there they were: ‘She Loves You, yeah, yeah, yeah.’ I thought, what is that? What accent is that? And they looked like girls — small human beings with silly haircuts. But it was magic.”
From that moment, Simmons was hooked. The Beatles’ image, their sound, and their fearless approach to songwriting fascinated him. Over the years, he followed their evolution — from the pop-driven A Hard Day’s Night to the experimental brilliance of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. But one album stood above the rest in his eyes: 1968’s White Album.
Why “The White Album” Stands Apart for Simmons
In a conversation with Goldmine, Simmons revealed that The White Album ranks among the ten albums that changed his life. What made it so special for him wasn’t just the music — it was the context in which it was created.
“The Beatles’ White Album is one of my favourites because you’re seeing turmoil within perhaps the greatest band that ever existed that recorded its own music, where each member was a star,” Simmons explained. “You could hear and feel the disjointed sense of that album, although the songs shined and the production was terrific.”
Despite being born out of internal tensions within the group, The White Album became a groundbreaking masterpiece. Spanning rock, folk, blues, and avant-garde experimentation, the double LP showcased the diversity and individuality of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Simmons also compared it to Abbey Road, noting that while Abbey Road might have been more polished and unified, The White Album was a wilder, more unpredictable artistic statement.
“For crazy, out-there music, it’s gotta be The White Album,” Simmons said.
The Album’s Lasting Legacy
Released on November 22, 1968, The White Album has been celebrated for its raw creativity and eclectic style. Tracks like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Blackbird,” and “Helter Skelter” remain fan favorites, while more experimental cuts like “Revolution 9” pushed the limits of what a rock album could be.
For Simmons, the record represented more than just a collection of songs — it was proof that music could be daring, emotional, and deeply personal all at once. It showed him that a band could evolve, take risks, and still create timeless art.
Even decades later, Simmons credits The Beatles — and The White Album in particular — with inspiring him to pursue music and shape the larger-than-life rock persona he brought to Kiss.
