KISS bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons praised the United States during a recent concert appearance, telling the crowd that America remains the greatest country in the world and contrasting illegal border crossings with his own experience of becoming a U.S. citizen through the legal immigration process.
Simmons made the remarks during a solo performance at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Friday, according to The Mosh Network. Between songs, the “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” singer paused to speak directly to the audience about the country and what it meant to him as an immigrant.
“In case you don’t know it, you are blessed. You are living in the greatest fucking country on the planet. And that’s called USA,” Simmons told concertgoers.
He said he wanted to take a moment to talk about America because of the approaching anniversary of the country’s founding.
“I wanna tell you why I took a minute to talk about America, because if you’ve been asleep the last 250 years, tomorrow is America’s 250th birthday,” he said.
Simmons then argued that the number of people trying to enter the United States is itself proof of the country’s appeal.
“This is the greatest country,” he said. “That’s why we’ve had anywhere from 20 million to 30 million illegal immigrants. Why? ‘Cause they are willing to break the law and come into the greatest country on the face of the planet, right here.”
The longtime rocker, who was born in Israel and moved to the United States as a child, used his own background to make a point about immigration. Simmons said he was proud to be an immigrant, but emphasized that he came to the country legally.
“I myself am an immigrant, but a legal one,” he told the crowd. “I came through the lawful way. You wait in line, you respect the country, you respect its laws, and then you become a citizen of the United States of America.”
Simmons also told the audience that he had been invited to Washington, D.C., to take part in events connected to America’s 250th birthday celebration. He said he would have to leave early the next morning to make the trip.
“I’m honored to say I’ve gotta get up at 3:30 this morning to catch a 5:00 a.m. flight because I’ve been asked by the White House to narrate the World War II Veterans honors in America’s 250th birthday tomorrow in Washington, D.C.,” Simmons said.
He closed that portion of his remarks by shifting attention to veterans and military sacrifice.
“Politicians talk the talk but veterans put their lives out there,” he said. “All gave some, some gave all. Don’t forget.”
Simmons then added a blunt message for critics of the country: “And if you don’t like America, please go back to where you f***ing came from.”
The comments came months after President Donald Trump presented Simmons, who is part of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors class, with a newly designed gold medallion at the Kennedy Center in December.
