Simmons to speak at rock conference

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Rocker Gene Simmons has been tapped to serve as the keynote speaker of the inaugural American Music Conference in Los Angeles, organizers said.

Produced by Variety and dick clark productions, the event is to be held Nov. 19 at The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE.

"The conference will be a premiere gathering of the most influential minds in the business -- spanning artists, label chiefs, agents, managers and more," the event's producers said in a news release Thursday.

The conference is to take place the same weekend as the 38th annual American Music Awards ceremony, which is to air Nov. 21 on ABC live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.

"The music industry is now constantly brainstorming new strategies to stay on top and even ahead of their fans' demands," Variety President Neil Stiles said in a statement. "Variety and dick clark productions' American Music Conference is designed to offer the tools that will help to keep this business on the cutting edge. We are also honored to open up the day with a keynote conversation with Gene Simmons."

Orly Adelson, president of dcp, added, "We are excited to launch the AMC with Variety and are proud to feature the supremely talented Gene Simmons at this inaugural event."