Dee Snider, Foo Fighters Rebut Gene Simmons’ Claim That ‘Rock Is Dead’

Gene Simmons is no stranger to controversy, and his recent pronouncement that rock is dead has provoked a typically passionate response -- including rebuttals from some of his peers.

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider made his counter-argument in a lengthy Facebook post, fittingly titled 'Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Dead.' Stressing that he has "nothing but respect" for Simmons, Snider insists "he couldn't be further off the mark," adding that while the business that made them both famous might have lost its mojo, the music hasn't lost its power.

"Rock 'n' roll is alive and well and thriving on social media, in the streets, and in clubs and concert halls all over the world," argued Snider. "And the bands playing it are more genuine and heartfelt than ever because they are in it for one reason: the love of rock 'n' roll."

Challenging anyone who thinks rock is dead to catch a show from any one of the countless great young bands currently on the road, Snider went on to refute Simmons' contention that the genre was murdered by filesharing, instead laying the blame at the feet of greedy label executives who overcharged for inferior product.

"When the general public finally realized they were being had, and the opportunity arose for them to stick it to the man, what did they do? The same thing their Woodstock Nation, baby boomer parents had done when they had their chance," Snider pointed out. "They stuck it and they stuck it good. Does anyone remember Abbie Hoffman's 'Steal this Book,' the massive selling, early '70s hippy guide 'focused on ways to fight the government, and against corporations in any way possible'? Multiply that by a googolplex."

And furthermore, Snider points out that even at the peak of the industry's power, a musician's life wasn't exactly easy. "Is it hard to make it rock 'n' roll? You bet. Always was, always will be," he shrugged. "Will rockers make as much money as they did 'back in the day'? Probably not. But that won’t stop them, and they'll be motivated by a much more genuine love of the art, and great rock will continue to be produced, played and embraced by rock fans."

The Foo Fighters soon hope to put Snider's argument to the test with their upcoming eighth LP, 'Sonic Highways' -- and they reminded fans that they're doing their part to keep rock alive on Sept. 6, tweeting a friendly "Not so fast, Mr. God of Thunder..." in response to Simmons' rock obituary.

Will record buyers back them up? We'll find out when the new Foo Fighters album arrives in stores on November 10.