Gene Simmons believes Axl Rose’s career would have been helped by a “good beating”.

The KISS bassist thinks the eccentric singer stopped his group Guns N’ Roses becoming the “best band in the world,” by falling out with guitarist Slash and refusing to reunite the band’s original line up.

He said: “Guns N’ Roses could have been the best band in the world, and the reason they’re not is because of Axl Rose. I mean, the drugs, the heroin, the alcohol and all that. But ultimately, it falls on Axl’s shoulders.

“A good beating would have helped. I mean, when you misbehaved as a little kid and continued to do it, there was somebody there to give you a what for. Then when you become a grown-up, who’s there to set you straight?”

Gene also offered a number of tips for the ‘Paradise City’ band – who have nominated as possible inductees to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame next year – but he admits not everyone is designed to be a “rock star” for a long time.

When asked what advice he would offer Guns N’ Roses to help them stay at the top of their game, he told Music-News.com: “You get to sleep in the bed you make. It’s simple. If you’re lucky enough to be accepted on stage by the audience, if you’re lucky enough to be able to write a song, if you’re lucky enough to have charisma on stage, that’s the beginning.

“And then you’ve got to be able to deliver night after night after night. And not everybody is designed to run a marathon. Because to be a rock star for decades means you’re running a marathon.”