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Following Robin Williams' death, nasty remarks previously made by KISS' Gene Simmons about depression and suicide have come to the forefront.




During an interview in July for the website Songfacts , Simmons' expressed how he can't understand how people these days can be so depressed when his mom, who survived Nazi Germany, lives a happy life.




"My mother was in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany," said Simmons, who was born as Chaim Witz in Israel in 1949, four years after World War II ended. "I don't want to hear f--k all about 'the world as a harsh place.' She gets up every day, smells the roses and loves life. And for a putz, 20-year-old kid to say, 'I'm depressed, I live in Seattle.' F--k you, then kill yourself."




This interviewed surfaced over social media just after news broke that Williams took his own life at the age of 63 this past Monday. The Academy Award-winning actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and in a constant battle with depression. In addition, Williams struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past.




Simmons' comments triggered the Twitter hashtag #BanGene to trend. Plus, a bunch of radio stations in Canada announced a boycott of KISS' music.




By Friday, Simmons released an apology via Facebook.




"I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression," said Simmons' Facebook.