KISS' Gene Simmons brands Rihanna 'fake'

How not to win over friends and influence people: Brand them a "fake".

Looks like KISS frontman Gene Simmons shredded that memo.

At a press conference in Hollywood, Simmons, while announcing a co-headlining 40-date North America tour with Motley Crue, bragged that their shows would be "bang for buck" rock and roll - and not some "fake bulls**t".

He's looking at you, Rihanna.

"We're sick and tired of girls getting up there with dancers and karaoke tapes in back of them," Simmons said. "No fake bulls**t. Leave that to the Rihanna, Shmianna and anyone who ends their name with an 'A.'"

And you can bet your fishnets he included Madonna in that snipe.

Simmons bashed the singer ahead of her halftime performance at the Super Bowl.

"I love all karaoke singers," he told TMZ. "I like all the girl singers who get up and sing with tapes. Shame on you.

"I don't care what your music is, have some integrity, be real, or full disclosure before the fact," he said. "Hold up a sign that says, '70 percent of what you hear is fake. It's a tape. I'm a karaoke singer.'"

He concluded: "By the way, Madonna's terrific ... I hate the tapes."

Speaking about the tour - dubbed The Tour - KISS' Paul Stanley told CNN, "When you think about a lot of the shows you go to see, they're not live! You go to these shows and you go, 'Wow, it sounds just like my album. It IS the album."

He added: "We're not going to be preaching about saving the whales. We're not going to be talking about toxic sludge. We're up there to rock and roll. Everybody deserves a night off, and that's what this is."

Motley Crue's Tommy Lee also chimed in about Simmons' comments.

"No disrespect to Rihanna, she's a great singer, but we're in a slump for some s**t that has some personality and appeal beyond a bunch of pop stuff that's floating around out there," he told Billboard.

"I'm glad he said that actually because I don't think I can bear watching another f***ing award show that is just a little bit better than American Idol. It's f***ing pathetic to watch people go out and f***ing karaoke with a bunch of lights and video. It's all completely watered down."

Crikey!

There's been no word as yet from Rihanna's camp, but I doubt it'll be too long before the Barbadian belter fires off a juicy retort. Actually, she's probably got other things - or someone - on her mind.

The singer has set tongues wagging after she was spotted making a midnight rendezvous at Ashton Kutcher's Hollywood bachelor pad on Wednesday, staying until 4am.

According to The Sun, Rihanna, had been dining out at a Santa Monica restaurant with her friend Melissa Forde, before heading out to Kutcher's home.

The 24-year-old singer was later spotted by a photographer (who just happened to be camped outside) arriving at Kutcher's pad at around midnight.

According to celebrity gossip website TMZ, Rihanna stayed in the house until 4am, with the reason for the late-night meeting still unknown.

Perhaps she wanted to look at his fixtures and fittings? Word is the Two and a Half Men star is moving out of the rental soon as it's on the market to be sold. Potential purchaser? Teen titan Justin Bieber.

What do you think of Simmons and Lee's comments about Rihanna?

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