Gene Simmons calls on Congress to approve radio royalties
Gene Simmons, the longtime KISS bassist, swapped his signature stage look for a suit as he testified before the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee on Tuesday, advocating for a bill that would pay artists royalties when their songs are played on terrestrial radio.
The legislation, reintroduced in January by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., would require AM/FM radio broadcasters to compensate copyright holders for airplay. Simmons stressed the importance of fair treatment for musicians, likening the lack of royalties to treating performers “worse than slaves” compared with icons like Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra, who also received little compensation for their work.
Music royalties for radio have been a contentious issue for years. While digital streaming services now pay artists, traditional radio does not, a disparity highlighted by SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe during the hearing. He noted that artists receive payment from services like SiriusXM, Spotify, and Apple Music, but not from standard radio play.
Representatives from the National Association of Broadcasters emphasized that local radio is a vital resource but cannot sustain additional financial burdens. The American Music Fairness Act, which Simmons supported, includes exemptions for small stations earning under $1.5 million annually and whose parent companies make less than $10 million, requiring them to pay a flat fee of $500 or less. Critics argue even that amount is too high.
The debate also intersects with broader radio policy, including efforts to mandate that new cars continue to include AM radio. Musicians such as Carole King and Cyndi Lauper have urged lawmakers to pair that requirement with fair compensation for artists, warning that musicians deserve payment when their music is played on these platforms.
The issue has prompted significant lobbying, with the Recording Industry Association of America spending over $5.8 million and SoundExchange $810,000 in the first nine months of 2025. Lawmakers from music-heavy areas like Los Angeles and Nashville often clash with representatives from rural regions concerned about the economic impact on small stations.
Simmons appealed to both parties, calling the current system an “injustice” that has persisted for decades. Alongside his congressional advocacy, Simmons was recently honored at the Kennedy Center by President Donald Trump, whom he praised as a supporter of the arts.
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