by KISS legend Gene Simmons officiated the wedding of Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Carla Harvey in Las Vegas. Numerous rock and metal icons attended, as shared on Mike Portnoy’s Instagram.
The celebration featured an impressive lineup of musicians. It included a late-night jam session with some of rock’s biggest names.
“What an amazing time yesterday at Charlie Benante and Carla Harvey’s wedding! Hands down the most metal wedding ever…Officiated by the Demon himself, Gene Simmons, and a late night jam session with Charlie, myself, Chris Jericho, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Zach Throne and Rex Brown,” Mike Portnoy wrote. “Congrats to the beautiful bride and groom and to many more decades together. It was the best wedding we’ve ever attended!”
The event showcased elaborate entertainment throughout the evening.
“A fun rockin’ time was had by all last night at Charlie and Carla Benante’s beautiful Wedding,” Bruce Kulick shared. “Gene officiated, Elvis appeared, Las Vegas Show girls entertained. There was great music, delicious food, an elaborate drone show in the sky above while everyone danced. Thank you Charlie and Carla for an amazing evening in Las Vegas.”
The October 2025 celebration brought together some of the biggest names in rock and metal history. The couple originally planned a small, intimate ceremony. However, it quickly evolved into a high-profile event that Benante described as “an elegant Russ Meyer movie with a rock and roll twist,” as reported by 98 KUPD.
The guest list included members of Anthrax, Pantera, Mötley Crüe, Dream Theater, Fozzy, and Nickelback. Benante’s Anthrax bandmates Frank Bello and Scott Ian attended alongside Rex Brown of Pantera, where Benante also plays drums. The star-studded affair reflected the couple’s deep connections within the rock and metal community.
Harvey, the former vocalist of Butcher Babies and current frontwoman of The Violent Hour, shares both a personal and professional partnership with Benante. The Mosh noted that the couple has been working together on Harvey’s new project, The Violent Hour. They plan to return to the studio shortly after the wedding to finish a second EP for the band and release a new Anthrax album.
The Las Vegas wedding blended elegance with classic rock and roll flair. It featured an Elvis Presley impersonator and Las Vegas showgirls as part of the entertainment. The elaborate drone show in the sky above the venue added a modern touch to the celebration. It created a memorable experience that attendees described as the most metal wedding ever.
