In an exclusive interview, Gene Simmons shared fascinating details about his involvement in the Reagan movie. He spoke about covering the Ethel Waters song “Stormy Weather” and his deep respect for the former president. Simmons believed that during certain scenes in the movie, having music in the background would enhance the atmosphere. He was thrilled when the producers chose his version of the song for the scene.

High Praise for Ronald Reagan

Simmons was full of praise for Ronald Reagan, referring to him as a “great American” who will be remembered in future generations as one of America's great presidents. He also revealed an interesting fact about Reagan, stating that he started as an actor, joined the Democratic Party, but later became disillusioned and joined the Republican Party.

Covering a Diverse Range of Songs

Covering a song in a style different from his band KISS' sounds didn't seem challenging for Simmons. His band had performed various genres, including hard rock, heavy metal, glam rock, and the famous disco song “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” Simmons explained how he had experimented with different covers and genres in his solo work as well. For example, on his 1978 eponymous album, he covered Disney's “When You Wish Upon a Star.” He also wrote the original song “Waiting for the Morning Light” with Bob Dylan for his second solo album. Simmons has considered recording more covers and might follow in Johnny Cash's footsteps by releasing a cover song album like the “American” album series. He had a brief conversation with producer Rick Rubin about this possibility, cryptically adding “we will see” if it will come to fruition.

Other Musical Ventures

Rawhide Pictures, the producer of the Reagan movie, released a high-quality version of Bob Dylan's cover of Cole Porter's song “Don't Fence Me In” over the end title credits. They also released “Stormy Weather” on YouTube, along with a video of Simmons recording the song intercut with footage from the movie. Many big names have recorded “Stormy Weather” over the years, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland. Ethel Waters' rendition was even inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and Library of Congress. Simmons performed one of his favorite songs with orchestral swells behind a simple piano accompaniment, showcasing his musical talent.