KISS's ERIC SINGER Rips Drummers Who Charge For Advice And Information: 'That's Not How It Works'

During a question-and-answer session at the second "KISS Kruise: Land-Locked In Vegas" on Saturday, November 14 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, KISS drummer Eric Singer was asked what advice he would give to new drummers looking to make it in the music business. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm gonna just say this. No matter what any guys online — 'cause there's people… I'm not gonna name names, but there's guys that are online trying to tell you to sign up for them to coach you. They're gonna tell you how to make money and how to get paid and how to make it. That's not how it works. 'Cause anyone that wants to help you will not charge you for advice and information. They'll freely give it to you 'cause they wanna help you. I always say pave the road smooth behind you for the next guy. You should always help other people.

"But the way the music industry is now, I'm glad I'm not a young guy trying to start off in this business because it's not the same business," Eric admitted. "When I first moved to L.A., I felt, like, 'Oh, I'm in L.A., I'm in California. This is the music scene where it's happening.' You really felt like you had an opportunity and that you really stood a chance to maybe do something. I don't know if that feeling still exists in a lot of music cities anymore because nobody wants to pay for music. Everybody wants it for free.

"So I would just say... Here's what I would say. You better love playing drums. You better love music if you're gonna go through all these ups and downs, 'cause it's a very, very difficult business to be in," Singer added. "It's not for the weak or faint of heart, as they say. You better really love music and have passion for it, 'cause that can be the driving force for yourself. Find the inspiration within yourself."

The now-68-year-old Singer first joined KISS in December 1991 following the death of Eric Carr. He played on the band's 16th and 17th studio albums, "Revenge" and "Carnival Of Souls", and embarked on several tours. In 1996, however, KISS's founding drummer Peter Criss reunited with other original members of the band for the "Alive/Worldwide" tour. Singer stepped away, only to rejoin again in 2001. After temporarily departing once again in 2002, he permanently rejoined the band in 2004.

In addition to KISS, Singer has toured and/or performed with QUEEN's Brian May, Alice Cooper, BLACK SABBATH and more. He is also the drummer for his KISS bandmate Paul Stanley's R&B side project SOUL STATION.