Posted on 12/21/2025 5:09:17 PM PST by nickcarraway
Cheap Trick has issued a statement in response to criticism they received for performing at last week's Kennedy Center Honors in support of Kiss.
The Rockford, Illinois-based rockers paid tribute to their longtime musical compatriots and 2025 Kennedy Center honorees, covering the face-painted band's signature hit "Rock and Roll All Nite" at the Dec. 7 ceremony.
Surviving classic-era Kiss members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss accepted the honors alongside fellow honorees George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone.
What Did Cheap Trick Say About Performing at the Kennedy Center Honors?
On Wednesday, Cheap Trick issued a statement on social media explaining their decision to perform at the Kennedy Center Honors, which you can see below.
"We were asked to perform at this year's Kennedy Center Honors ceremony to pay tribute to our lifelong brothers in Kiss, and to support artists and the arts," the band said in a statement. "We agreed to do it for those reasons, and no others."
How Did People Respond to Cheap Trick's Kennedy Center Honors Performance?
Cheap Trick's Kennedy Center Honors performance drew mixed reactions from fans, most of it dealing with the optics of the band appearing at an event hosted by President Donald Trump.
On Dec. 8, the band shared a since-deleted Instagram post from the event that showed singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson posing with magician Criss Angel. "Great to see our good friend @crissangel at the Kennedy Center Honors as we honored our brothers in @kissonline over the weekend," they wrote.
“So disappointed in you guys,” one user commented (via Parade).
“And another supporting white nationalism…..,” another wrote.
Others, however, supported Cheap Trick's decision to appear at the event.
"Kiss received an award for their achievements as an incredible band," one Instagram user wrote. "Has nothing to do with the president."
Cheap Trick's Long History With Kiss
Cheap Trick wasn't exaggerating when they referred to Kiss as their "lifelong brothers." The former band served as an opening act on the latter's 1977 Love Gun tour in support of the album of the same name.
The following year, Cheap Trick memorialized Kiss in their breakthrough single "Surrender" with the lyrics: "Rollin' numbers, rock and rollin', got my Kiss records out."
The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 23 (8:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT) on CBS.
My thought as well...
They were a little goofy, especially the guitar player, but I think it was meant to be in a good hearted funny sort of way, kind of like a throwback to The Monkees. They had a definite Beatles sound to them too, even played with John Lennon some I think. They were a good pop band, but nothing I ever paid money for.
I listen to Live at Budokan all the time.
Their best work....
And you should stay away, cuz ya never know what you’ll catch. ;-)
🙄
“Their statement should have been, “Go eff yourselves, you sad, effing woke-scolds. We played. You can suck it till you choke.”
That would be amazing.
I saw them twice back in the day. Great band.
L
I saw them around 1979-80 in Dallas. I caught one of Rick Neilsen’s guitar picks.
I had a girl friend that thought on Journey’s song “Who’s Crying Now” that it said “one loves pizza pie” instead of “one love feeds the fire.”
Well, one does love pizza pie!!
Does one not?
One does, one does!
Shut up and sing.
Love that song.
“And another supporting white nationalism…..,”
Better than illegal alien nationalism.
As I’ve said here before, they may have grown up physically, but Democrats are still those nine-year-olds who would take their ball and go home if any of the other kids dared to disagree with them during the sandlot game. Even if they knew damn well they were wrong.
Saw them twice also. When they opened for Kansas at the LA Forum on a New Years Eve(I think! lol) Then at Long Beach Arena a year or so later. Somewhere around 1978 or 79 or 80! lol
Still have it?
“Reporting” nowadays consists of pouring through Twitter posts and picking out a few that support the Narrative.
Leftists using same social blackmailing and naughty lists as in McCarthy times.
Once in Chicago and then again in Rockford.
I believe they were with REO once.
L
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