Gene Simmons recently made headlines by declaring “rock is finally dead” in an interview in Esquire. Never mind that the interview was conducted by Gene’s son Nick Simmons, but the KISS icon couldn’t be further from the truth.

The interview mainly talks about how artists don’t have the same opportunities today as they did 20-30 years ago, because of mp3 file sharing. “The problem is that nobody will pay you for the 10,000 hours you put in to create what you created,” says Simmons. “I can only imagine the frustration of all that work, and having no one value it enough to pay you for it.”

This is the crux of Simmons’ argument, that studio work is undervalued. In that sense, Simmons is absolutely correct. Recorded music has lost some financial value. That is not to say, however, that studio albums have lost their artistic value. A quick glance at a Rolling Stone album review comment thread will reveal some of the most dedicated audiophiles, passionately arguing tooth and nail to defend (or prosecute) an artist’s work.

The fact is, file sharing is a blessing for the music community. A 2012 study revealed that music profits increased a full 27%, from $132 Billion to $168 Billion, between 2005 to 2010 (take a look at all the numbers below). File sharing allows artists an extraordinary platform for exposure, and, not only that, the artists can retain creative control over their own content. Improved technology allows anyone, even someone like me, to create and distribute music, without ever needing to close my laptop. It’s beautiful.

Instead of bands looking to “catch a break,” artists can define their own terms for success, and put in the man hours necessary to convert those dreams into a reality. I’ll give you a perfect example.

In 2006, I had the pleasure of taking an AP Music Theory high school class with a guy named Andy Frasco. The class was held immediately after lunch, and Frasco would always arrive a few minutes early, dabbling on the classroom piano until our teacher demanded his attention. The guy loved to sing, and carried himself with strength and determination.

Flash forward eight years, and Frasco has performed at some major festivals (including Electric Forest), and recently finished a tour in Europe. Is he the next John Lennon? No, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s on the road damn near every night, passionately sharing his artistic creations to a crop of fresh faces. This is the face of today’s rock and roll.

The thing is, Mr. Simmons, recorded music doesn’t have to be worth shit. In the interview, Simmons talks about how there are more “classic” artists from 1958-1983 than there are from 1983-onwards. A bizarre argument, considering that something in the present can’t really be a “classic,” but his point is that the record industry no longer exists in its old familiar form. Then, a label would take the initiative to promote an artist, but, in turn, the label maintained some creative control over the artist’s musical direction. Does that sound like a “craft” to you?

We’ve entered a new era of music. The focus has shifted from recorded to live. Albums are like paintings; appreciated, with a sense of curious dignity. The power of music has always been in its ability to unite individuals, and, as the value of recorded music dwindles, more artists and industry professionals are exerting this power. The boom in festivals over the past decade speaks to this end.

The ignorance behind the statement “rock is finally dead” is appalling. Perhaps it’s unsurprising, coming from the lead singer of a band that lacks any originality. If you have to wear makeup to entice people to come see you play live music, that speaks volumes about the quality of your music.

Fortunately, I have the opportunity to work for Live for Live Music. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with musicians, to see countless performances, and to keep tabs on some incredibly talented artists. These are real people, working really hard to stake their claim amongst the musical gods and goddesses. This is the face of today’s rock and roll.

Maybe Gene Simmons’ era of hyped-up, glam rock is over, but rock can’t die. Rock and roll is an idea, and you can’t kill an idea. The idea evolves with time, expressing itself in new and exciting forms. If that scares you, Mr. Simmons, then go on preaching the death of rock and roll. If you need me, I’ll be seeing live music.

-David Melamed (@DMelamz)