Gene Simmons To Receive IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award In October

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Gene Simmons

Musician, entrepreneur and KISS co-founder Gene Simmons will be honored with the IEBA’s (International Entertainment Buyers Association) Lifetime Achievement Award during the IEBA 2026 Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 6 at The Pinnacle Nashville.

Simmons has been one of rock’s most recognizable and influential figures for over five decades. As co-founder, bassist and vocalist of KISS, he helped transform the band into a global phenomenon, combining music, spectacle, branding and a live experience that influenced generations of artists and reshaped expectations for the rock concert. KISS was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Gene Simmons embodies the kind of lasting impact the IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize,” says Brian Wagner, Executive Director of IEBA. “KISS didn’t simply build a catalog of iconic music; they changed the scale and possibilities of the live concert experience. Gene’s vision for connecting music, performance, spectacle and brand has influenced generations of artists and live entertainment professionals, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate that legacy at IEBA 2026.”

The IEBA Honors & Awards Ceremony recognizes outstanding achievement across the live entertainment business, with IEBA members selecting winners in categories including Club, Casino, Theater, Arena, Amphitheater, Fair/Expo and Festival of the Year, as well as awards recognizing leading talent buyers, agents, promoters, venue executives, young professionals and music and entertainment industry educators.

The ceremony will also celebrate the 2026 IEBA Hall of Fame class, with inductions honoring Chubby Checker and Gil Cunningham. Established in 2010, the IEBA Hall of Fame recognizes those whose lasting contributions have helped shape the live entertainment industry. The Honors & Awards cap three days of programming, bringing together the professionals who drive the live entertainment business at IEBA 2026, Oct, 4–6.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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