According to an issue in U.K.’s Classic Rock magazine, Kiss’ Gene Simmons’ devil horns was an homage to Spider-man. Based on the comic book series, the superhero would extract spiderwebs from his wrist following a devil-horn-like motion. Simmons recently filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the hand signal metalheads have been rocking out to at shows for years. Simmons believes, “no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance.”
Simmons stated:
“We laid down the templates. When you see bands rocking out in sync, that’s us. When you see bands putting up that two-fingered devil horn salute, that started with KISS.”
Apparently, everyone thinks about KISS when they raise their horns. However, this goes for both the thumb extended or curled as Simmons explained Ronnie James Dio was wrong:
“Well, I’ve heard Ronnie say that to my face and I said, ‘God bless you.’ I mean him no ill will, but I think he’s wrong.
Mine came from Spider-man doing his hand signal, as a homage to him. If you see me in photos, I’m sticking out my thumb. That’s the sign in sign language which means ‘I love you.’”
Meanwhile, Dio’s widow Wendy, thinks Simmons trademark attempt is disgusting and occult rock legends Coven threatens to sue:
“Our FB’s have been bombarded, so here is my answer to Gene Simmon’s claims…I did the Sign of the Horns when Coven started in late 1967(see BW photo).Again this sign was pictured on our 1st album released in 1969, and on our 1971,1974,2013 albums.This information is in more than 25 books.Also mentioned at our Wikipedia Coven page.I never trademarked MY sign because it was meant for all to do, tho it is legally ‘grandfathered in’ to me for use in music by all the history.Gene does not even DO the sign properly.He is doing the deaf sign for ‘love’. I think Gene and The Hollywood Reporter should get their story straight…Write the Reporter and tell them what YOU think.If he dares to go through with his application, I shall sue on behalf of us all…I suggest to write the Reporter your opinion on this matter…https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodReporter/ And please leave me your comments……..Horns Up and Many Hails to you all…Jinx for the Coven \m/”
