Gene Simmons Urges Congress to Pass Artist Payment Bill NOW

UPDATE: KISS co-founder Gene Simmons is taking urgent action to ensure artists are compensated for their music played on U.S. radio stations. In a recent interview with Scripps News, Simmons emphasized the need for the American Music Fairness Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at rectifying decades of “injustice” in the music industry.

Fresh off receiving one of entertainment’s highest honors at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, Simmons is set to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to advocate for the bill. Under current U.S. law, artists do not receive performance royalties from traditional AM/FM radio broadcasts, a situation Simmons passionately decried.

“The artist is not getting anything, and that’s an injustice that needs bipartisan support,” Simmons told Scripps News anchor Maritsa Georgiou. He stressed the vital importance of this legislation for both historical and future artists, stating, “This is not just about the past, Elvis and Sinatra; this is about the future.”

The American Music Fairness Act was introduced in January 2023 and is currently stalled in the House Judiciary Committee. Simmons expressed optimism that this measure could gain traction, noting, “This is about what’s fair for America and our stars.” He believes that both Democrats and Republicans can unite to support this bill.

Simmons’ advocacy highlights a significant gap in the music industry’s compensation structure, affecting countless artists across genres including rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, and country. “We need to remind ourselves that America invented, created the music of planet Earth,” he asserted, emphasizing the cultural significance of fair compensation for artists.

As the urgency for legislative action increases, Simmons is committed to pushing this agenda forward. The outcome of his discussions on Capitol Hill could have profound implications for the music industry and the rights of artists nationwide.

For a deeper look into Simmons’ views on media bias and his conversation with Georgiou, watch the full interview available on Scripps News. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.