Latest news with #TheUltimateGeneSimmonsExperience
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Gene Simmons says it's ‘better to be rich' after defending $12k package to be his tour assistant
'All I ever did was try to figure out how to become powerful and make lots of money, for survival,' the Kiss musician, 75, said in a preview of his new podcast interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. 'The only thing money ever does, really, is give you the freedom to do stuff you actually like doing. 'It's better to be rich than poor, it really is,' he continued. 'And if you're a miserable f*** it's still better to be a rich, miserable f***. That's all I ever tried to do.' Elsewhere in the interview, Simmons said he enjoyed the fame that came with being part of Kiss, the storied rock band he formed in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Yet, he argued notoriety isn't always as rewarding without money. 'There are a lot of famous people who are relatively poor, that's not a lot of fun,' he noted, adding: 'There's a lot of industrial types whose names you don't recognize who are filthy rich.' Simmons's comments come nearly a week after he defended charging over $12,000 for an assistant job experience on his upcoming tour, set to begin on May 2 in Georgia. Entitled 'The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience,' the opportunity includes helping the crew set up, sitting in on sound check, arriving at the venue with the band, and hanging out backstage. Instead of a normal job application, interested fans must pay exactly $12,495. '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 New York Post. 'I decided, 'You know what, nobody's ever done it. Why not open the idea to be my personal roadie for the day?'' Simmons said. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial 'You meet at the hotel where you have breakfast together or, you know, whatever floats your boat,' he explained. '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.' When it comes to souvenirs, the rockstar plans to give each roadie a signed set list, a signed rehearsal bass guitar and allow you to bring up to four personal items for him to sign, providing they are not instruments. Photos are permitted, and one guest is welcome to tag along. Simmons was meant to start his tour on April 3 in Anaheim, California, but he postponed 17 of his 26 tour dates until the beginning of 2026.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is asking fans to be his personal assistant - but it'll cost them $12k
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is offering fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to be his temporary assistant - but they'll have to pay a hefty fee. In lieu of the usual job application process, the 75-year-old rocker is only looking for interested parties who can cough up $12,495 before joining him for a day on tour with his band this spring. While 'The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience' will include some manual work, such as helping the crew set up, other unique experiences, such as sitting in on sound check, arriving at the venue with the band and hanging out back stage will also be offered. As well as receiving Gene Simmons Band crew member merch including a hat, shirt, and laminated VIP pass, you will also get a meal with the Kiss bass player. Then, during the show, participants can expect Simmons to briefly introduce them on stage in front of the paying audience. Photos are permitted and one guest is welcome to tag along. When it comes to souvenirs, the rockstar will give away a signed set list, a signed rehearsal bass guitar and allow you to bring up to four personal items for him to sign, providing they are not instruments. The musician, born in Israel, is set to embark on his solo show series beginning April 28 in Tallahassee, Florida. Simmons co-founded the storied rock band Kiss alongside guitarist Paul Stanley in 1973. The duo later brought Peter Criss in on drums and Ace Freshley on lead guitar. Kiss recorded and performed together all over the world for the following six years before briefly breaking up to record their own individual albums in 1979. From 2002 to 2023, Thomas Cunningham Thayer was the band's lead guitarist and vocalist. The group hosted its final worldwide goodbye tour in 2019 and then its last show in December 2023, performing in New York City where it all began.
