KISS’ Gene Simmons says he is charging one fan greater than $12k to be his “roadie” for a day on account of “astronomical” insurance coverage prices

KISS’ Gene Simmons has mentioned 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 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 flexibility to take a seat in on the sound test and hang around backstage.

Nonetheless, he has additional defended his choice 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 any person, after all I loved the present and actually acquired off on it — we talked about it without end and stuff — however I didn’t know what it was like,” Simmons mentioned, 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 mentioned that, we solely do one roadie for a day per present. And I’ll inform you why — as a result of these days every thing is so litigious. … Meaning everyone sues everyone for no motive. So when you get a paper reduce, any person will get sued. And that’s simply the best way life is right here in America — far more in California, by the best way.

“It’s loopy out right here. So, I can’t even, if I needed to, convey 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 can be astronomical. And so this ain’t low cost. It’s not for everyone. And for that one individual, you do must pay premium numbers. That’s simply life.”

Based on Simmons, the $12,495 price ticket covers “monetary and authorized publicity” along with “the basic stuff”. He mentioned: “Any individual has a foul expertise and so they sue you and it prices you a whole bunch of 1000's of {dollars}. You want insurance coverage for every thing.”

The roadie expertise  continues all via showtime, and features a particular efficiency with Gene Simmons. He advised The New York Post:“You experience with me to the gig. You'll be able to arrange amplifiers and drums to your coronary heart’s content material. You’re onstage, proper offstage to my proper. You'll be able to 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 on account of 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 would 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 reside efficiency from former KISS member Bruce Kulick, together with different particular visitors, actions, unique experiences and extra.”