One KISS fan has no regrets after paying Gene Simmons for the chance to act as his roadie for the day – at the cost of a cool $12,495 (£9,678).
The I Was Made For Lovin’ You hitmaker came under fire recently for the bizarre scheme, but it seems some are happily paying the price for the rock-and-roll experience.
‘This is what I choose to spend my money on,’ said Dwayne Rosado, a52-year-old retired corrections sergeant from Middletown, New York, who purchased the roadie experience with his 13-year-old son.
Dwayne decided to pay for the experience after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. ‘You only live once, and I want to experience life,’ he told The New York Times. ‘I’m not going to die with a lot of money. I’m going to die happy.’
The package is an option for fans as a part of Simmons’ American solo tour, the ‘Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience.’ It was advertsied as allowing a fan of the 70s rock icon to become a member of his road crew for the day.
Posted on his website, the $12k package gave Dwayne and Zach extensive behind-the-scenes access to the KISS legend.
But they also worked. Jobs included helping with ‘arrive & load-in to the venue’, ‘go over the Band’s Show day schedule’ in the morning, and ‘help the band set up.’
It wasn’t all work, though, as Dwayne and Zach got to have a meal with Gene, 75, and were brought out on stage and introduced to the crowd.
They also sat in on soundcheck, ‘hung out backstage’ and of course had a unique view of the show, usually reserved for those in the business.
They also walked away with an exclusive crew member shirt and hat, a signed set list, and a VIP laminate, as well as a signed bass guitar used in KISS’s rehearsals.
In the end, when Dwayne was asked if it was worth $12k he replied: ‘Absolutely.’
‘You forgot the $500,’ Simmons joked.
‘$12,495 to be exact,’ said Dwayne. ‘Nothing can beat tonight. It’s cemented in Kisstory now, because it’s going to be on YouTube and everything else. So I’ll get to look back and see that moment forever.’
There’s only one ultimate experience available for sale per show date, with the purchaser allowed to bring a guest with them, as well as extra items for Gene to sign.
As much as Dwayne seemingly loved the experience, the Shout It Out Loud singer originally left fans unimpressed by the offer, which was branded ‘lame’, ‘sleazy’ and a ‘huge rip-off’.
‘The stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,’ fumed Mike Brown on social media platform X, while Jeff Franklin branded it ‘a huge rip-off’.
‘Lame. Seems like a sleazy way to generate income by Simmons,’ observed Ed Tobin, as several fans made the same point about the pay.
‘Wouldn’t even give him the time of day if you paid me,’ wrote Jett, while @mnmikebierman added: ‘Gene is so lame. I’d need the $12k to do it.’
For @63smithy that wasn’t enough though, as they shared: ‘I wouldn’t do it if he paid me the 12,495.’
‘Ego out of control,’ chimed in Paul as another fan claimed that Simmons’ act ‘got stale in the 80s [and is] now completely irrelevant’.
Some fans weren’t averse to the possibility though, as @CeguyShi responded: ‘Absolutely. The signed used rehearsal-Bass alone is worth the 12k.’
@OccamRubberSpat suggested: ‘Depending on the bass and the memorabilia, you might turn a profit… KISS fans are a little rabid, for decades now…’
It’s also worth noting that the ticket for the gig isn’t included in the package, meaning you’d need to stump up for that separately.
And if $12,495 (£9,678) is a stretch too far, Simmons is also offering the ‘bass experience’ for $6,500 (£5,034) on his website, which includes a signed and personalised non-stage played guitar and a meet and greet with the rocker after the show.
The listing also notes that ‘you will find that Gene Simmons is very down-to-earth, funny, and knowledgeable on almost any subject’.
Gene kicked off his tour on April 3 at House of Blues Anaheim, California, before heading on the road to states including Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Kentucky before May 24.
KISS retired from performing live shows together in 2023, after first forming 50 years prior in New York City.
The original line-up comprising Simmons (vocals, bass), Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, vocals) was inducted into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
KISS sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with the I Was Made for Lovin’ You rockers’ final composition of Simmons, Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer hanging up their studded platform boots at New York’s Madison Square Garden in December 2023, at the end of their postponed farewell tour.
A version of this article was first published on March 9, 2025.
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