Gene Simmons recently made headlines for a fan experience in which he charges $12,495 to be his roadie for a day on his current US tour with his solo band. For one fan, the experience was “absolutely” worth it.
As previously reported, there’s a lot more to the experience than just being the KISS legend’s roadie and personal assistant. The participant is allowed to bring a guest, so essentially it’s for two people, and they get to share a meal with Gene (at the hotel or backstage), help with load in, sit in on soundcheck, and hang out backstage, not to mention Simmons will bring you out onstage at some point during the show. Moreover, they receive a signed setlist, a VIP backstage laminate, a crew hat and shirt, and a signed Gene Simmons bass used during a KISS rehearsal.
Moreover, Simmons recently explained that “astronomical” insurance costs and other factors led to the steep price, saying, “Somebody has a bad experience and they sue you and it costs you hundreds of thousands of dollars. You need insurance for everything.”
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Dwayne Rosado, a 52-year-old retired corrections sergeant from Middletown, New York, spent his hard-earned $12,495 for the experience surrounding Simmons’ May 5th show at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey, accompanied by his 13-year-old son Zach. The New York Times sent a reporter to tag along, chronicling their every move.
As for the large sum, Dwayne remarked, “You only live once, and I want to experience life. I’m not going to die with a lot of money. I’m going to die happy.” The longtime KISS fan was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
As it turns out, Dwayne and Zach got a lot of bang for their buck, including jamming with Simmons’ band during soundcheck, sitting down with Simmons for some incredible stories (including the KISS icon telling Zach to cover his ears as he recounted to Dwayne the time he lost his virginity when he was roughly Zach’s age).
During the show, Simmons brought the father and son up on stage, and gave the mic to Zach, who called Dwayne “the best dad ever” in an enthusiastic scream.
Simmons told the crowd, “My father wasn’t there when I was growing up, so I’ll tell you, it means the world to me to see a good father who stays with his family and makes sure his kids are raised right.”
When asked if the experience was worth the price, Dwayne said, “Absolutely,” adding, “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.”
A YouTube clip of the onstage moment can be seen below, while tickets to Simmons remaining solo shows can be purchased here.
Content shared from consequence.net.