STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When Gene Simmons of the iconic rock band KISS appeared Tuesday in Washington, D.C. to speak to lawmakers in favor of the American Music Fairness Act, he also spent time with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
Simmons testified before the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee, urging passage of the bill, which would require AM/FM radio broadcasters to pay royalties to copyright holders when their songs are played on air.
“It looks like a small issue [when] there are wars going on and everything,” Simmons told the committee. “But our emissaries to the world are Elvis and Frank Sinatra.”According to UPI, Simmons said music icons like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby were treated “worse than slaves” by radio broadcasters.
During his Washington visit, Simmons, who has ties to Staten Island, took time to chat with Malliotakis, a Republican representing Staten Island and part of Brooklyn.
Gene Simmons appeared Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to speak to lawmakers in favor of the American Music Fairness Act, he also spent time with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.Courtesy of Rep. Nicole MalliotakisBorough ties
A native New Yorker, Simmons earned his bachelor’s degree from the former Staten Island Community College (now the College of Staten Island, CUNY) and worked as a social studies teacher in the borough’s school district before becoming a rock star.
“I was glad to welcome New York City native Gene Simmons on the heels of receiving the Kennedy Center Honors — to the U.S. Capitol this week, where he discussed the American Music Fairness Act to protect artists by ensuring they are fairly compensated when their music is played on digital and broadcast platforms,” said Malliotakis.
“Many people do not know that before launching the rock band KISS, Gene attended what is now the College of Staten Island and was an elementary school social studies teacher in our district,” she added.
Simmons, along with the surviving original members of KISS, was honored earlier this month at a private medal ceremony at the White House, followed by a public gala at the Kennedy Center Opera House, where the band performed some of their biggest hits, including a tribute to recently deceased KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.