KISS’ Gene Simmons has stated that the “astronomical” prices of insurance coverage is why is his charging one fan greater than $12k to be his “roadie” for a day.
The bassist and singer has come below fireplace lately for providing a fan the prospect to be his private assistant and roadie for a day – for the price of $12,495 (£9,667) .
Dubbed ‘The Final Gene Simmons Expertise’, and offered forward of his now-postponed North American tour – it permits a fan to assist with load-in on the venue, stage set-up, and the flexibility to take a seat in on the sound verify and hang around backstage.
Nevertheless, he has additional defended his determination to supply this “expertise” – saying that rising insurance coverage prices is why he priced it greater than $12k. Chatting with New Jersey’s 95.9 The Rat, he defined his reasoning.
“Right here’s the deal: once I was a child and I went to see [Jimi] Hendrix or any person, after all I loved the present and actually acquired off on it — we talked about it endlessly and stuff — however I didn’t know what it was like,” Simmons stated, as reported by Blabbermouth. “What’s the start of the day like? What’s it like to take a seat and have breakfast or lunch with my favourite rock stars, after which get within the limo, go to the gig, arrange the drums, do soundcheck after which be onstage…”
He continued: “Now, having stated that, we solely do one roadie for a day per present. And I’ll inform you why — as a result of these days every little thing is so litigious. … Meaning all people sues all people for no cause. So in the event you get a paper lower, any person will get sued. And that’s simply the way in which life is right here in America — rather more in California, by the way in which.
“It’s loopy out right here. So, I can’t even, if I needed to, carry out or do roadie for a day with 10, 20, 30, as many individuals [as we would like]. So we do one, as a result of the insurance coverage prices for which are astronomical. And so this ain’t low cost. It’s not for everyone. And for that one particular person, you do must pay premium numbers. That’s simply life.”
In accordance with Simmons, the $12,495 price ticket covers “monetary and authorized publicity” along with “the traditional stuff”. He stated: “Someone has a nasty expertise and so they sue you and it prices you lots of of 1000’s of {dollars}. You want insurance coverage for every little thing.”
The roadie expertise continues all by way of showtime, and features a particular efficiency with Gene Simmons. He advised The New York Publish:“You experience with me to the gig. You possibly can arrange amplifiers and drums to your coronary heart’s content material. You’re onstage, proper offstage to my proper. You possibly can video the crowds, no matter. And I pull you onstage to sing a tune with me.”
Simmons’ North American tour – which set to kick off this month – is being postponed to “early 2026”. Whereas a trigger for the postponement was not revealed, it was confirmed that it was not attributable to well being points.
For the reason that postponement of his solo tour, KISS have introduced plans for an “unmasked” present in Las Vegas later this yr. It should mark the band’s first efficiency since their 2023 farewell tour.
In accordance with an e mail despatched out to followers, the live performance additionally guarantees “a particular stay efficiency from former KISS member Bruce Kulick, together with different particular friends, actions, unique experiences and extra.”
