Gerry Martire

Gerry Martire

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Wendy Dio Calls Gene Simmons' Rock Hand Trademark Attempt 'Laughable'

Gene Simmons' application this week to trademark the so-called 'rock hand' gesture has drawn the ire of...well, just about everybody.

Fans, fellow rockers, people who use American Sign Language, Texas football fans and many others have jumped at the chance to call out the KISS bassist on what looks like a shameless cash grab.

One woman to whom the pending ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has particular significance is the widow of the heavy metal icon Ronnie James Dio.

Ronnie James Dio was known for popularizing a similar gesture in the late-'70s. The 'devil horns' gesture is one of Dio's most enduring contributions to heavy rock. 

But rather than take the credit and run to a trademark office, Ronnie Dio always said his his grandmother inspired him to use the sign on stage, a fact not lost on Wendy Dio.

“To try to make money off of something like this is disgusting,” she told the Wrap. “It belongs to everyone; it doesn’t belong to anyone… It’s a public domain; it shouldn’t be trademarked.

“It’s laughable, I think, quite honestly,” she added. “I think [Simmons] has made a complete fool of himself. It’s disgusting. What does he want?”

The easiest answer to that question is attention, and if making money isn't Simmons' best still, it's probably getting attention.

Bashing Simmons is easy and there's always new material. Here are some of your best comments on the debacle.

Photo: Getty Images


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