Gene Simmons to Testify on Fair Compensation for Musicians
Gene Simmons, co-lead singer of the rock band KISS, is slated to appear before the Senate Judiciary and Intellectual Property Subcommittee next week. The focus is on a bill aimed at ensuring that radio stations pay performers for the music they air.
On December 9th, Simmons will voice his support for the American Music Fairness Act. This legislation seeks to mandate compensation for artists each time their music is played on AM and FM radio stations.
Interestingly, this testimony comes just two days after Simmons receives the Kennedy Center Honors, a notable recognition of his contributions to music.
Some conservative lawmakers are pressing media companies on this issue, reflecting concerns about what they perceive as the entertainment industry’s “marketing dominance.” They advocate for a sense of corporate responsibility, urging big radio companies to provide fair compensation for artists who have been underpaid for years.
Simmons also intends to meet with senators from both parties to stress the importance of this legislation for both present and future recording artists.
“Having spent my career in the music and entertainment industry, I truly understand how vital this issue is,” Simmons stated. “The American Music Fairness Act represents sound public policy. Artists deserve proper compensation for their work.”
“I look forward to discussing this with both Republican and Democratic senators to highlight its importance to thousands of current and future American recording artists,” he added.
Joining him will be Michael Happe, president and CEO of SoundExchange, a nonprofit that manages digital streaming royalties for artists. Happe is a strong advocate for the bill, which would require radio stations to compensate performers, aligning radio with the existing royalty requirements for streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to testify before the Senate next week,” Happe said. “Recording artists are an essential part of our culture, and it’s frankly ridiculous that in 2025, they still aren’t compensated for their work.”
“I hope the Senate acts swiftly to rectify this situation and pass this critical legislation,” he added.
Earlier this year, over 300 artists signed a letter urging lawmakers to advance this bill, indicating strong support from the music community.
