Gene Simmons’ Rationalization for Charging $12K to Be His Roadie? “Nobody’s Ever Done It”
Earlier this month, the world learned one of two things about Gene Simmons: his fans either have too much money and not enough sense or he’s delusional as all get out about the type of money people will pay to see his solo act. And that realization stems not just from the way he’ll make merch out of fuckin’ anything, but rather that he offered a package for his upcoming solo tour where you could be his roadie for a day — for $12,495.
You read that right. The dude wants his fans to pay more than $12,000 to do work hauling equipment, setting shit up, and riding around with him. Oh, but you get to bring a friend, sit in on soundcheck, hang out on the side of the stage during the performance, share the stage with him for a couple minutes, and you get a signed bass at the end of the day, so maybe that’s worth it? Maybe?
During a recent interview with the New York Post, Simmons explained his thought process for deciding he was going to charge for the aforementioned experience (and a few extras). And of course, it all goes back to his childhood in the stone age.
“When I was a kid and went to see shows, I was always curious, ‘What’s it like when they’re in a hotel? What’s it like when the stage is set up? What’s it like being onstage when they’re performing and seeing the audience from the stage? I decided, ‘You know what, nobody’s ever done it. Why not open the idea to be my personal roadie for the day?’”
Maybe there’s a reason no one’s done it, Gene.
Now, it would be one thing if this were offered as a lottery to your average fan. But tell me one thing — who can afford $12,000+ for a one night experience unless you’re already well off and a grown ass adult? That childhood wonder about what goes on has probably already been beaten out of anyone that would have paid for it, so why not pull someone random from your ticketholders and hang out with ’em for a day?
Oh right. Money. He went on to explain what else happens if you buy the package.
“You meet at the hotel where you have breakfast together or, you know, whatever floats your boat. You ride with me to the gig. You can set up amplifiers and drums to your heart’s content. You’re onstage, right offstage to my right. You can video the crowds, whatever. And I pull you onstage to sing a song with me.”
Your ticket to the show isn’t included in that package, by the way. So pony up some extra moolah. The Gene Simmons Band will be on tour from April 3 in Anaheim, California until May 24 in Houston. You can find the full list of dates below and decide if you want to blow 12 grand or not.
April 3 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
April 4 – Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Resort Casino
April 5 – Rohnert Park, CA @ The Event at Graton Resort & Casino
April 8 – Auburn, WA @ Muckleshoot Casino Resort
April 10 – Magna, UT @ The Great Saltair
April 11 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
April 25 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
April 26 – Miami Beach, FL @ Fillmore
April 28 – Tallahassee, FL @ The Moon
April 29 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theater
April 30 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
May 2 – Peachtree City, GA – The Fred Amphitheater
May 3 – Beaver Dam, KY @ Beaver Dam Amphitheater
May 5 – Red Bank, NJ @ Basie
May 6 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont
May 8 – Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Casino
May 9 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
May 11 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
May 14 – Northfield, OH @ MGM
May 15 – Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Casino
May 17 – Hammond, IN @ The Horseshoe
May 18 – Rockford, IL @ Hard Rock
May 20 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
May 22 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
May 23 – San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center
May 24 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
