Legendary rock band KISS has been named among the 2025 inductees into the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, a top-tier recognition of lifetime achievement in the performing arts . The honor was presented by President Donald Trump, who is overseeing the ceremony this year .
Trump praised KISS as “one of the greatest rock bands of all time,” citing their global impact: “They became a global phenomenon, sold more than 100 million records worldwide … they made a fortune” .
KISS members responded with heartfelt gratitude. Gene Simmons called the award “the embodiment of the American dream,” adding, “We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor” . Echoing the sentiment, Paul Stanley said, “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off… I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band” . Ace Frehley called the honor “a dream come true that I never thought would materialize,” and Peter Criss called it “the greatest honor of our career” .
The Kennedy Center Honors class of 2025 also features George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and Sylvester Stallone . This marks KISS as only the sixth rock band ever included in the honor roll, joining other icons like The Who, U2, and Led Zeppelin .
