Rocker Gene Simmons told youngsters that music could save a child's life, during a surprise visit to an academy's grand opening.

The Kiss frontman was in South Dakota yesterday for concerts for the opening of a music academy for the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sioux Falls.

Simmons' appearance at the event was a surprise. He said he wanted to show his support for the academy.

He said music has the ability to get kids off the street and make a positive impact on their lives. Anything having to do with music, from learning to play an instrument to singing karaoke, was self-empowering and taught people skills, he added.

The four upstairs rehearsal rooms in the academy honour Kiss, with each decorated as an homage to the Demon, the Starchild, the Catman and the Spaceman.