Gene Simmons Advocates for Artist Rights in Congress: The Push for the American Music Fairness Act

Gene Simmons Advocates for Artist Rights in Congress

On December 9, 2025, iconic rock musician Gene Simmons, best known as the bass guitarist of the legendary band KISS, joined forces with Michael Huppe, the CEO of SoundExchange, to advocate for the American Music Fairness Act (S.326) in front of U.S. lawmakers. Their joint testimony aimed to address an essential issue in the music industry: the lack of royalties for artists when their songs are played on traditional AM and FM radio stations.

During a crucial hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Simmons passionately voiced the concerns of countless artists. He stated, “American artists have never been paid for radio airplay. Not one cent.” This stark reminder points to a significant gap in the current legislation that allows radio stations to profit immensely from playing artists' music without compensation. In fact, he highlighted that radio stations generated a staggering $14 billion in revenue over the previous year, all while the creators of the music received nothing in return.

Simmons framed the issue as a clear case of injustice and explained, “The American Music Fairness Act is the answer to this injustice. It’s not complicated. It simply says that when radio makes money playing our music, the people who created that music should get a fair cut.” He emphasized that the push for this legislation is not just about checking boxes for artists, but rather upholding the principles of capitalism and fairness that America prides itself on.

Echoing Simmons' sentiments, Michael Huppe provided compelling arguments on the floor, reminding members of Congress that while the law has evolved to ensure artists receive compensation for digital, satellite, and streaming platforms, FM radio continues to enjoy a loophole that leaves artists vulnerable. Huppe stated, “We are in the company of the most notorious abusers of property rights in the world.” He emphasized that the absence of a performance right in the U.S. music landscape detrimentally impacts American artists, especially as they lose out on incredible possibilities when their music is played abroad.

Moreover, Huppe shed light on the irony that countries like Russia and China, known for their dubious human rights records, have laws ensuring artists receive compensation for music played on radio, while the U.S. lags behind. “It has gotten so bad that countries like France will actually collect American royalties yet give those royalties to French artists. Americans are losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars overseas every year,” he revealed. This startling fact underscores the urgency to rectify the existing laws.

Both Simmons and Huppe highlighted how new regulations could not only enhance payments for artists but significantly contribute to the overall health of the American music industry, fostering an environment where creativity and artistry can thrive. As Simmons proclaimed, “In America, you get paid for your work.” This enduring conviction resonates with artists across genres who have long felt overlooked in the current system.

The American Music Fairness Act serves as a beacon of hope for artists nationwide, advocating for a more equitable approach to artist compensation in radio airplay. As the hearing concluded, it became clear that the road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with the united front of influential figures like Simmons and Huppe, the fight for fair treatment in the music industry is gaining momentum.

For full details on the hearing and testimony, you can visit judiciary.senate.gov.

About SoundExchange

Since 2003, SoundExchange has championed the rights of music creators, working to ensure that all artists receive fair compensation through a tech-driven approach to music licensing. By advocating for changes in the law and managing the distribution of royalties, SoundExchange has become a key player in building a more just music industry. With over $12 billion in royalties collected and distributed to date, the organization continues its mission for a fairer industry landscape.