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.
I Want You to Want Me....
“...got my Kiss records out...”
Had always heard that line as:
Got my kids’ records out. lol
They should just Surrender.
Isn’t it the Trump/Kennedy Center by now?
what’s a record? and why and from where do you have to get it out?
Didn’t I didn’t I see them crying?!
Remember back in elementary school, probably second or third grade, when you were angry at another kid so you would tell all your friends not to talk to them? That’s where Democrats emotional development ended.
Their statement should have been, “Go eff yourselves, you sad, effing woke-scolds. We played. You can suck it till you choke.”
It’s obvious most demonrats weren’t disciplined enough as children.
Pure noise.
Better “shame.” The Spinners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZP18U5VyY
They just seem a little weird
That’s a good one as well though I do likes me some electric jam from time to time.
It is now but wasn’t when they performed
Lol! So true.
Try Tarkus by ELP.
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