Rock legend Gene Simmons has criticized rockers who are drawn to what he calls the “stupid rock 'n' roll lifestyle”.

The KISS star revealed that he doesn't understand why so many rock stars seem so intent on what he sees as pushing their health to the limit by experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

“There is a smart rock 'n' roll lifestyle and a stupid rock 'n' roll lifestyle. No one ever talks about the intelligent one, while the stupid one has always appealed to many," he said.

"But in the end the coolest rock stars are all dead. Perhaps they were the coolest, but they are dead now. Jimi Hendrix is dead, Jim Morrison is dead, Kurt Cobain is dead... I am clever and I'll survive because I live a smart rock 'n' roll life. I've never done drugs and it's a personal choice, I am not interested in harming myself. If you want to run your personal marathon you gotta go at your own pace, it doesn't matter if someone else overtakes you, the turtle will win, and turtles know rock 'n' roll."

Gene's band mate and KISS frontman Paul Stanley also echoed the sentiments saying: "Being rock 'n' roll doesn't mean having tattoos on your arms, earrings, or a bandana on your head. It means being free. You can live the rock 'n' roll life even if you are a doctor, or a cleaner. I never give too much importance to criticism; I just follow my heart and my passions. And this is something anyone can do, really.

"People think that the rock 'n' roll lifestyle is stupid, or destructive. Mutilating your body and poisoning your mind in the name of rock 'n' roll is, in fact, stupid. You should get the best from your life, without giving up any part of it."