KISS have mentioned they “really feel so blessed” to just accept the Kennedy Centre Honor from President Donald Trump.
The band are among the many record of honorees chosen by the Trump administration this yr, with others together with Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, nation star George Strait and stage and sitcom actor Michael Crawford.
The prize is awarded to figures within the performing arts for his or her lifetime of contributions to American tradition, and Trump will personally host this yr’s occasion on December 7.
In 2021, KISS frontman Paul Stanley described Trump as “abhorrent” and “a real hazard to our democracy”, however now, the singer has spoken of his delight in accepting the honour.
“From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American splendid that each one issues are doable and that onerous work pays off,” he advised TMZ. “The status of this Kennedy Heart Honors can’t be overstated and I settle for this on behalf of the lengthy legacy of KISS and all the band members who helped create our iconic band”.
Stanley has additionally criticised members of the Republican social gathering up to now for not talking out in opposition to Trump after he refused to just accept defeat within the 2020 presidential election. “Their silence is a selection and never sharing their opinion is a coward’s approach out,” he mentioned. “It feeds the distrust that eats on the core of this nation I really like”.
Bassist Gene Simmons has additionally responded to the honour, writing: “KISS is the embodiment of the American dream. We’re deeply honored to obtain the Kennedy Heart Honor”.
Drummer Peter Criss added: “I really feel so blessed. That is the best honour of our profession”. Founding guitarist Ace Frehley additionally described it as “a dream come true that I by no means thought would materialize”.
Not like Stanley, Frehley has been supportive of Trump up to now. “I’ll say I’m a Trump supporter,” he mentioned in 2020. “All of the politicians have had skeletons within the closet. However I believe Trump is the strongest chief that we’ve received on the desk.”
Elsewhere, Ghost’s Tobias Forge just lately hit again at Simmons’ assertion that “rock is lifeless”, arguing that new bands will proceed to rise to the highest.
Nick Jonas can be reportedly being tapped to painting Stanley in an upcoming KISS biopic, Shout It Out Loud.