70s rock icon blasted after asking fans to pay $12,495 to be roadie for the day
'Lame. Seems like a sleazy way to generate income.'
Rock star Gene Simmons has come under fire after offering fans the chance to act as his roadie for the day – at the cost of a cool $12,495 (£9,678).
As part of his upcoming American solo tour, the ‘Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience’ will allow a fan of the 70s rock icon to become a member of his road crew for the day.
Alongside helping his band unload at the venue and set up for the show, after going over the day’s schedule, the experience will also see the fan able to hang out backstage, enjoy a meal with Simmons, be introduced onstage by him and receive swag including a signed bass guitar used in his famous group Kiss’s rehearsals.
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 Simmons, 75, to sign.
However, the Shout It Out Loud singer 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’.
The 75-year-old rock star is offering a backstage package for $12,500 which includes the purchaser acting as his roadie (Picture: Getty)‘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.’
Comment nowWould you pay to be Gene Simmons’ roadie for the day?Comment NowFor @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.’
He rose to fame as a co-founder of heavy rock band Kiss (Picture: Getty)@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 is a stretch too far, Simmons is also offering the ‘bass experience’ for $6,500, 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’.
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