Kiss's Gene Simmons to testify before a Senate subcommittee on American Music Fairness Act

Gene Simmons, the lead singer of the rock group KISS, will be testifying before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property next week on legislation that would require radio companies to pay performers for playing their music, the musicFIRST Coalition announced on Tuesday.

The bill, called the American Music Fairness Act, aims to require AM/FM radio to pay performers to play their music, similar to what other streaming platforms do, according to The Hill. 

Simmons will testify two days after he will be receiving the Kennedy Center Honors along with his band.

“Having spent my career in the music and entertainment industry, I understand the vital importance of this issue,” Simmons said in a statement. “The American Music Fairness Act represents sound public policy. Artists must be properly compensated for their creative work.”

“I look forward to meeting with both Republican and Democratic Senators to discuss why this legislation is crucial for thousands of present and future American recording artists,” he continued.