KISS’ Gene Simmons says artists in US are treated “worse than slaves” due to radio payment

KISS’ Gene Simmons has said artists in the US are treated “worse than slaves” due to the money they receive for radio plays.

The bassist testified before the US Senate Judiciary subcommittee this week (December 9), in support of the Music Fairness Act, which calls for radio stations to licence artists’ songs for airplay.

“Let’s call it for what it is – an injustice that has been going on for decades,” he said. “When you work hard and you get to the top, what do you got? Zipperooney. That’s not the American way.”

In the US, terrestrial AM/FM radio stations only pay for the composition of a song, not the sound recording, meaning that songwriters get paid for the airplay but not the musicians on the record, nor the label.

Simmons continued: “If you are against this bill, you are un-American. You cannot let this injustice continue. It looks like a small issue. There are wars going on and everything. But our emissaries to the world are Elvis and Frank Sinatra, and when they find out that we are not treating our stars right – in other words, worse than slaves. Slaves get food and water. Elvis, Bing Crosby and Sinatra got nothing for their performance. We have got to change this now for our children and our children’s children.”

In other news, this week Simmons took back his comments about his bandmate Ace Frehley’s death, admitting he was “wrong”.

He had claimed that “bad decisions” led to Frehley’s death at the age of 74, despite reports suggesting he had died peacefully surrounded by family after “a recent fall at his home”.

“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used,” Simmons later said. “I humbly apologize. My hand to God I didn’t intended to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”

Simmons was also involved in a car crash in Malibu in October, with Simmons reportedly telling authorities that he had fainted or passed out behind the wheel. He recovered in time to receive the Kennedy Center Honors from Donald Trump earlier this month.

Elsewhere, the long-awaited KISS biopic is on its way, with director McG recently suggesting that it is “going to kick your fuckin’ ass”.