Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley will be recognized at the 48th annual event alongside country music icon George Strait, Tony-award winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, Grammy-winning disco pioneer Gloria Gaynor, blockbuster film powerhouse and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television, each Kennedy Center Honoree has a unique place in the fabric of our nation and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.
On Sunday, December 7, in a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the 48th class of Kennedy Center Honorees will be saluted by today’s leading performers from New York, Hollywood, and the arts capitals of the world.
Seated in the Box Tier of the iconic Kennedy Center Opera House, the Honorees will accept the recognition and gratitude of their peers through performances and tributes.
Stanley and Simmons formed KISS in January of 1973 from the ashes of the pair’s previous band, Wicked Lester; with more more than 100 million records sold worldwide, the group’s original lineup was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014.
"KISS is the embodiment of the American dream,” Simmons told TMZ. “We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor."
"From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off,” said Stanley. “The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band."
"A dream come true that I never thought would materialize," shared Frehley, while Criss added, "I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career."
50 years after KISS formed, the group’s last lineup (Stanley, Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer) delievered its final farewell concert performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023.
The 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors is set to air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.
Add some KISS to your collection here.
See also:
KISS officially announces 50th anniversary event performance
KISS to perform at 50th anniversary event
1979 KISS classic joins Spotify Billions Club
KISS sells brand name and music catalog for $300 million
Search KISS at hennemusic