The surviving original members of the legendary rock band KISS were formally recognized for their contributions to American culture this weekend, receiving their Kennedy Center Honor medals in a ceremony at the White House. On Saturday, December 6, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the musicians to the Oval Office to present the prestigious medallions.
Founding members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss were in attendance to accept the accolades. In an emotional moment for the group, Monique Frehley was present to accept the medal on behalf of her father, original guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away in October.
President Trump presided over the event, lauding the 2025 class of recipients as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center honorees ever assembled.”
During the presentation, Trump characterized KISS as an “incredible rock band” and took a moment to acknowledge the absence of the band’s original lead guitarist. He noted that Frehley “now is resting in peace” and recognized that the musician’s “beautiful daughter is here to accept the award.”
According to Billboard, Frehley is only the third artist in the history of the Kennedy Center Honors to receive the award posthumously, joining Glenn Frey of the Eagles and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, both of whom also died in the window between the award announcement and the ceremony.
The significance of the moment was underscored by the band members’ reflections on their journey. When the honor was first announced in August, Simmons emphasized the band’s connection to the national ethos.
“KISS is the embodiment of the American Dream,” Simmons told TMZ. “We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.”
Frontman Paul Stanley echoed those sentiments, viewing the award as a validation of the band’s work ethic.
“From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off,” Stanley stated. “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.”
Before his untimely death, Frehley had expressed his own excitement about the accolade, calling it “a dream come true that I never thought would materialize.”
Original drummer Peter Criss offered a concise reaction to the career milestone: “I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career.”
The ceremony was shadowed by the loss of Frehley, a sentiment Simmons captured in a statement released on the day of the guitarist’s passing.
“Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on,” Simmons wrote at the time. “No one can touch Ace‘s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
The 2025 class of honorees also includes actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
