Cheap Trick defend Kennedy Centre performance for Kiss tribute
Cheap Trick have defended their decision to perform at the Kennedy Centre Honors earlier this month to honour Kiss.
The event, which was held at the Kennedy Centre on December 7th, saw Kiss get inducted alongside Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, and Michael Crawford.
For the first time in the history of the once-prestigious ceremony, it was hosted by a president, with Donald Trump asserting himself in the middle of the occasion.
At the show, which will be broadcast on CBS on December 23rd, Cheap Trick took to the stage to pay homage to Kiss with a cover of ‘Rock ‘N Roll All Nite’.
However, due to Trump’s involvement in the event, Cheap Trick have received a backlash for appearing at the Kennedy Centre Honors, which they have now taken to social media to address.
They shared a statement on X and Instagram which reads, “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.”
Cheap Trick continued, “We agreed to do it for those reasons, and no others.”
Kiss have also been criticised heavily for accepting an award from Trump, as well as meeting him at The White House. Earlier this week, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider came to their defence, stating, “There are a lot of people shit talking Kiss for accepting their Kennedy Center Honor Medals from the current president. You either think they are worthy or not (I think they are).”
He also stressed that the award is more important than whoever the president is who hands it to them, adding, “An artist can’t wait for a president of their liking to be in office to receive it. Most of the recipients are not young, Poor Ace Frehley – who was very excited to receive the award – died before the day came. You accept the honor when it is offered.”
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