Ahead of their scheduled induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 11, Kiss founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons appeared on the weekday morning broadcast CBS Mornings. Sitting down with host Anthony Mason, the two musicians reflected on their enduring five-decade creative partnership and the lasting cultural impact of their legendary rock band.
During the interview, the duo recalled the specific origins of “Rock And Roll All Nite“, widely considered one of the most famous rock anthems in history and the defining track of the Kiss catalog.
“People didn’t know rock anthems [at the time], and fortuitously the head of the record company said, ‘You need an anthem.’ I said, ‘What does that even mean?’ And he said, ‘You need a song like Sly & The Family Stone ‘Dance To The Music‘, [with lyrics like] ‘I wanna take you higher.’ So I went back to the hotel — [Gene and I] both went back — and I sat in my room and I thought, ‘What encapsulates this?’ And I thought, it’s a song of empowerment. I went, ‘I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day.’ I knock on Gene‘s door. I go, ‘Gene, I have something. What do you think?’ And Gene goes, ‘I have a song called ‘Drive Me Wild‘,'” Stanley recounted (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
“So we stuck those two [songs] together and presto chango, we’ve been playing that longer than anybody in the studio has been alive,” Simmons added.
When Mason pointed out the well-documented dynamic of “both a rivalry and a brotherhood” between the two founders, the Kiss frontman readily agreed.
“Yeah. But it’s all with a purpose,” Stanley concurred. “What we’ve always put priority to was the band, trying to make the best music possible. It’s not about winning; it’s about sticking to your guns when you think it’ll advance the band, so that’s always been the common bond between us. And it’s only been rivalry in the same way that brotherly rivalry sometimes brings things to another level.”
The pair also looked back on their very first encounter, acknowledging that their historic partnership did not get off to a smooth start.
“Oh, he hated me… We first met at the behest of a guitar player I grew up with and all that stuff. I didn’t know anybody else wrote songs. He said, ‘This guy writes songs, too. ‘Oh, really?’ … I had never met anybody else who wrote songs. I thought besides the upper pantheon, that I was the only one. And actually, I said, ‘Play me a song,'” Simmons recalled.
“The person who introduced us said, ‘Stan‘ — that was my name at the time — ‘he writes songs, too.’ And Gene goes, ‘Oh, yeah? Play me one.’ And I’m thinking, ‘What a jerk.’ … And I picked up a guitar and played a song I wrote that wound up on our first album. And Gene played a song that didn’t,” Stanley chimed in.
Despite those initial personality clashes, the sheer ambition they shared cemented a bond that would sustain them through the decades.
“I think we were much stronger together. And when you’re aspiring to something that goes so against the grain, when everyone around you is becoming attorneys and doctors and things like that and you aspire to something so different, it’s lonely. And it was much better, the two of us. We were much greater as a duo than singular,” Stanley explained.
Later today (June 11), the two musicians will officially join the 2026 class of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The exclusive, star-studded gala will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City and remains closed to the general public. Alongside the Kiss legends, this year’s highly celebrated group of inductees features Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, and Taylor Swift.
Highlighting the importance of the event, Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers issued a statement emphasizing the fundamental role that songwriters play in shaping global culture.
“The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator. We take great pride in our ongoing commitment to recognizing some of the most culturally significant composers in history. This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres. These songwriters have profoundly impacted the lives of billions of listeners worldwide, and it is our privilege to honor their contributions,” Rodgers said.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame initially unveiled Stanley and Simmons‘s induction back on January 21, 2026, breaking the news simultaneously on its official website and CBS Mornings. The organization specifically highlighted “Rock And Roll All Nite“, “I Love It Loud“, “Calling Dr. Love“, “Shout It Out Loud“, and “Christine Sixteen” as the foundational works anchoring the duo’s massive catalog.
Founded in 1969 with its first class inducted in 1970, the SHOF honors the most influential composers in modern music history. To be eligible for induction, writers must possess a significant catalog of songs, with their first commercial release dating back at least 20 years.
This latest accolade adds to a long list of prestigious industry honors for the Kiss founders, who were previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band’s original lineup in 2014 and received the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2025.
