KISS frontman Gene Simmons is calling on Congress to end what he calls an injustice: the lack of performance royalties for artists when their songs play on AM/FM radio.
Appearing on Capitol Hill this week, Simmons testified in support of the American Music Fairness Act, which would require traditional radio broadcasters to pay performers and producers royalties — a standard already upheld by streaming and satellite platforms.
In both prepared remarks and media interviews, Simmons described the current system as “robbery”, citing the long-standing discrepancy in U.S. copyright law that compensates songwriters and publishers but leaves recording artists unpaid when their music is played on terrestrial radio.
“It’s time to close this unfair loophole,” Simmons told lawmakers, emphasizing the impact on generations of performers whose work drives radio profits.
American Music Fairness Act: What It Proposes
The proposed legislation would:
- Require AM/FM stations to pay performance royalties to artists and producers
- Introduce flat, low fees for small and local stations to protect community broadcasters
- Align the U.S. with global copyright standards, where such royalties are the norm
- Create a new revenue stream for performers often excluded from radio earnings
Simmons’ testimony is part of a larger, coordinated effort by artists, labels, and advocacy groups to modernize royalty laws and ensure equitable compensation across audio platforms. Unlike streaming services (like Spotify and Apple Music), which pay both songwriters and performers, terrestrial radio has historically been exempt from paying artists for the use of their recordings.
Industry and Political Support Grows
Simmons’ Capitol Hill appearance has brought new attention to the bill, which has bipartisan support in Congress. Some conservative organizations and lawmakers have backed the act, framing it as a fair, market-driven correction that doesn't overburden small broadcasters.
Opponents, including radio industry groups, argue that the proposed royalty system could create costs that hurt local stations — a claim bill sponsors dispute by pointing to the flat-fee structure designed to shield smaller players.
Supporters say the measure is both modest and overdue, and Simmons has continued to rally public and industry backing through interviews and appearances.
The Bigger Picture for Audio Creators
While this legislation focuses on music performers, the broader conversation has implications for podcasters and other audio content creators.
As copyright and royalty frameworks evolve, creators across all formats are paying closer attention to how their work is monetized — and how to ensure fair compensation for content distributed on traditional and digital platforms alike.
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