Gene Simmons thinks $12,495 is a steal to hang out with him for the day.
The Kiss rocker, 75, defended his decision to charge fans thousands of dollars to be his assistant after receiving backlash over the pricey proposition, dubbed “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience.”
“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?’ ” Simmons told The Post recently.
“I decided, ‘You know what, nobody’s ever done it. Why not open the idea to be my personal roadie for the day?’”
The package allows one lucky fan to be his “Personal Assistant & Band Roadie” for each concert date on his upcoming tour with the Gene Simmons Band, which kicks off in May.
Simmons believes the price tag is well worth it for any true die-hard fan as they will spend the entire day with him.
“You meet at the hotel where you have breakfast together or, you know, whatever floats your boat,” he said.
After grabbing a bite to eat together, the “personal assistant” will assist Simmons in planning the show-day schedule and setting up the venue alongside the rest of the crew.
They will also get lots of merchandise, a bass signed by Simmons and the chance to rock out with him on stage for one song.
“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,” he explained.
In addition, the fan can bring one guest to join them for the experience, making it more like $6,247 a pop if they split it equally.
However, only one of the two will reap all the benefits of being Simmons’ “Personal Assistant & Band Roadie” for the day.
Other fans not selected for the exclusive package can still pay $6,500 to $12,500 to meet the rock ‘n’ roll legend before the show.
Simmons has toured on and off with the Gene Simmons Band — made up of drummer Brian Tichy and guitarists Jason Walker and Brent Woods — after retiring from KISS in 2023.
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