The clock is ticking on a massive pay cut for American musicians, and some of the industry’s heaviest hitters are calling on Congress to step in.
At stake is nearly $300 million in annual European radio royalties.
In a joint letter sent to congressional leaders this week, a coalition of 58 legendary artists led by KISS frontman Gene Simmons have urged Washington to immediately pass the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA).
$300 Million European Threat
For decades, the United States has shared an embarrassing distinction with Cuba, Iran, and North Korea: we do not pay performers when their music is broadcast on AM/FM radio.
While a 2020 European Court of Justice ruling temporarily forced EU radio to pay American musicians, the European Commission is now moving to reinstate "material reciprocity." In short, if American AM/FM radio won't pay European artists, Europe is going to stop paying ours.
As Simmons warned in a Wall Street Journal op-ed:
“Earlier this month, the European Commission opened a formal proceeding to undo it under the banner of ‘material reciprocity’ — a fancy way of saying that if American broadcasters won’t pay artists, neither will European ones. If it becomes law, vital money will stop flowing to American artists.”
A United Front of Industry Heavyweights
The sheer star power behind this push highlights how vital this issue is to the creative community. The letter boasts superstar signatures from across the musical spectrum:
Aerosmith • Barbra Streisand • Belinda Carlisle • Billy Idol • Bonnie Raitt • Boyz II Men • Carly Simon • Carole King • Celine Dion • Cyndi Lauper • Darius Rucker • Darryl “DMC” McDaniels • David Foster • Dee Snider • Def Leppard • Don McLean • Duran Duran • Foreigner • Gavin Rossdale • Gene Simmons • Gloria Estefan • Gloria Gaynor • Hootie & The Blowfish • Huey Lewis • Jackson Browne • James Taylor • Jason Aldean • Jason Mraz • Jefferson Starship • Jelly Roll • Joan Jett • Josh Groban • Julian Lennon • Katharine McPhee • Kool and the Gang • LeAnn Rimes • Lee Ann Womack • Lee Greenwood • Lil Jon • Lisa Loeb • Master P • Mariah Carey • MC Lyte • Melle Mel • Mickey Guyton • Mike Love • Mýa • Nancy Wilson • Peter Frampton • P!nk • Randy Travis • R.E.M. • Sammy Hagar • Sarah McLachlan • Smokey Robinson • Steve Miller • TLC • Tori Amos
But this isn't just about protecting the superstars, either. European royalties represent a critical lifeline for session musicians, backing vocalists, and all independent creators who rely on these streams of income to survive.
What Does the AMFA Do?
The American Music Fairness Act is designed to close the decades-old terrestrial radio loophole while carefully protecting grassroots broadcasting:
- Targets Corporate Conglomerates: It forces multi-billion-dollar broadcast conglomerates to finally pay artists for their work — aligning terrestrial radio with streaming, satellite, and digital platforms.
- Protects Small & Local Radio: Small, community, and local broadcasters are shielded, allowing them to play unlimited music for less than $2 a day.
- Exempts Public Stations: College, religious, public, and non-commercial stations are fully exempt from the fees.
Hypebot's Bottom Line
Terrestrial radio is a multi-billion-dollar industry built entirely on the backs of the artists who write and record the hits. Yet, US broadcasters have escaped paying performance royalties for decades.
With Europe ready to pull the plug on hundreds of millions of dollars in retaliation, Congress no longer has the luxury of kicking the can down the road.
It's time to pass The American Music Fairness Act and pay the artists fairly.
