Bloomberg Talks: Gene Simmons on the American Music Fairness Act

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Gene Simmons

Episode Overview

In this episode, legendary Kiss frontman Gene Simmons joins Bloomberg to discuss his recent advocacy for the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). The conversation centers on issues of royalty payments for recording artists, music industry regulation, consolidation in radio, and broader implications for the future of American music—touching on everything from AI and IP law to the motivations of up-and-coming musicians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The American Music Fairness Act: What’s at Stake?

• Unfair Compensation for Artists (02:11–03:34)

  • Gene passionately argues that American radio stations (AM and FM) pay nothing to performers for airplay, unlike other countries—even Russia—where artists are paid.
  • Quote:

    “The astonishing, stunning and shameful fact is that no matter who you hear on AM and FM radio, they're getting zero pennies for the airplay.” — Gene Simmons (02:29)

  • Cites icons like Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley who, despite their legendary status, have never been paid for radio spins.

• Contrast with Other Platforms (05:30–05:41)

  • Recognizes that satellite and digital platforms do compensate artists, underscoring how “behind the times” radio remains.

• Legislative Progress & Presidential Support (07:50–09:04)

  • Gene met privately with lawmakers (Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Adam Schiff) and affirmed “a lot of support” for the bill from both parties.
  • While he spent time with the President in the Oval Office, specifics of their conversation remain private.
  • Quote:

    “Let’s just say as soon as Congress gets their act together, the President will sign this. I am convinced of it.” — Gene Simmons (08:56)

2. Radio’s Business Model and Ongoing Consolidation

• Radio Makes Billions, Artists Get Nothing (05:11–05:28)
  • Radio earned $14 billion last year; none of it went to the performers whose music fuels the industry.
  • Quote:

    “Radio last year made $14 billion. You know how much of that went to the Sinatra estate or Tame Impala or all the new bands?... Yeah.” — Gene Simmons (05:12–05:28)

• Consolidation Making Things Worse? (06:35–07:50)
  • Host points to industry consolidation (iHeart, Odyssey) and how it hasn’t improved outcomes for artists.
  • Gene likens it to being run over by a truck: “The result is nothing's changed. The artists are not getting [paid].” (07:02)

3. Gene Simmons as a Businessman and Artist

• Kiss Catalog Sale & Future Projects (09:04–10:25)

  • Correcting a Bloomberg report, Gene details the recent Kiss sale to Sweden’s Pophouse, encompassing branding as well as publishing rights.
  • Quote:

    “An entity called Pophouse...came and bought Kiss. The underlying rights, the makeup logos, as well as the writing publishing for a respectable sum. Enough to buy Rhode Island.” — Gene Simmons (09:17)

• Embracing Transformation (10:02–10:28)

  • Sees Kiss’s future as entering a “cocoon phase” before soaring, invoking the metaphor of caterpillars to butterflies.
  • Quote:

    “You’re short sighted. You don’t understand that it’s going into a cocoon, which is where we are now. And we’re going to come out and defy gravity with beautiful wings and soar to the heavens.” — Gene Simmons (10:25)

4. Why Chase Down Old Formats Like Radio? (10:55–11:48)

• Despite innovations and lucrative deals in new media and licensing, Gene feels a moral imperative to fight for fairness in radio:
  • Quote:

    “Somewhere between paying artists 0 and 14 billion billion, there should be a...” — Gene Simmons (11:16)

5. AI and the Future of Music Rights

• Worries About Lack of Regulation (12:09–13:53)
  • Gene expresses deep concern about the unchecked rise of AI-generated music and the absence of a unified legal framework.
  • Advocates for federal (and even international/UN-level) laws to manage IP, income streams, and protect creators.
  • Quote:

    “Anything—a beautiful horse that you just bring in—if it runs wild, you’ve got to have some parameters that we control instead of AI.” — Gene Simmons (12:11)

  • Warns of “AI gold rush” states without federal oversight; calls for global collaboration.

6. Advice to Aspiring Musicians (13:53–14:47)

• Recommends having a fallback plan since “95% or more” will likely not succeed in the music business.
• Shares his own backup experiences as a teacher and various assistant roles before finding success.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Injustice Faced by Performers:

  “Americans do not [pay performing artists on radio], and this has got to change and should change.” — Gene Simmons (03:34)

• On AI and the Law:

  “If states have the right...the government must get a federal law that encompasses all of AI to get some sanity out of this.” — Gene Simmons (12:34)

• On the American Dream for New Artists:

  “New artists, every penny counts. And the fact that they can be played on radio and not even make one penny for their performance is criminal.” — Gene Simmons (03:53)

Key Timestamps

• 00:59: Gene Simmons testimony clip before Congress
• 02:11: The roots and global impact of American music
• 03:11: Example of Jimi Hendrix receiving no radio royalties
• 05:12: Breakdown of radio business and artist compensation
• 07:02: Effects of radio consolidation on payments
• 08:44: Lawmaker and presidential support for AMFA
• 09:17: Kiss sale details and industry transformation
• 10:55: Why old formats like radio still matter
• 12:11: Thoughts on AI and the need for regulation
• 14:00: Advice for the next generation of musicians

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, Gene Simmons maintains his signature charisma—witty, unapologetically candid, and frequently self-referential. The host keeps pace with Gene’s energy, probing thoughtfully while allowing space for Gene’s metaphors, asides, and bold statements.

Takeaway

This conversation provides rare insight into the legislative gaps in music royalties, the evolving business of music, and the risks (and opportunities) posed by new technologies—delivered with Gene Simmons’s unmistakable blend of showmanship and seriousness. Simmons makes a powerful case for immediate Congressional action on artist compensation, and delivers a sobering, pragmatic outlook for future music-makers.