The Kiss member is causing a stir with a controversial slave comparison. His mission: Enforce fair remuneration for artists for radio airplay.
The bassist and singer of KissGene Simmons, gave a speech before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee advocating for the Music Fairness Act. The proposed law proposes to oblige radio stations to purchase licenses to broadcast music titles so that artists receive appropriate remuneration. To emphasize his point, Simmons resorted to controversial words.
Artists wouldn’t even get food and water?
In his statement, Gene Simmons used drastic language. He described the current situation as un-American and used a controversial comparison: the treatment of musicians was “worse than that of slaves” because they at least received food and water. He cited artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby as examples who, according to him, received no compensation for the performance of their works.
History of the bill
Last year, 2024, Talking Heads co-founder David Byrne campaigned for the “Music Fairness Act”. The law aims to create a remuneration regulation that ensures artists receive income from the radio airplay of their music.
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More public appearances
Simmons has recently made headlines several times. During a television interview, he asked the interviewer live on air whether she was still working as a model. On Sunday, December 7, Kiss also received a tribute at the Kennedy Center, where country singer Garth Brooks covered the band. Gene Simmons, who was present at the celebration, also raised questions with his statements on the red carpet.