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 underneath hearth not too long ago 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 bought 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 power to sit down in on the sound test 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. Talking to 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 someone, after all I loved the present and actually obtained off on it — we talked about it eternally 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 sit down 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 the whole lot is so litigious. … Meaning all people sues all people for no motive. So in case you get a paper reduce, someone will get sued. And that’s simply the best way life is right here in America — rather more in California, by the best way.
“It’s loopy out right here. So, I can’t even, if I needed to, deliver 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 might be astronomical. And so this ain’t low-cost. It’s not for everyone. And for that one individual, you do need to pay premium numbers. That’s simply life.”
Based on Simmons, the $12,495 price ticket covers “monetary and authorized publicity” along with “the traditional stuff”. He stated: “Someone has a foul expertise and so they sue you and it prices you tons of of hundreds of {dollars}. You want insurance coverage for the whole lot.”
The roadie expertise continues all by means of showtime, and features a particular efficiency with Gene Simmons. He advised The New York Put up:“You experience with me to the gig. You may arrange amplifiers and drums to your coronary heart’s content material. You’re onstage, proper offstage to my proper. You may video the crowds, no matter. And I pull you onstage to sing a track 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 because of well being points.
Because the postponement of his solo tour, KISS have introduced plans for an “unmasked” present in Las Vegas later this yr. It can mark the band’s first efficiency since their 2023 farewell tour.
Based on an e-mail despatched out to followers, the live performance additionally guarantees “a particular dwell efficiency from former KISS member Bruce Kulick, together with different particular friends, actions, unique experiences and extra.”
