Gene Simmons is giving fans a one-of-a-kind experience during his forthcoming tour.
According to his official website, the KISS bassist and co-lead singer is offering fans the opportunity to be his “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day.
Simmons, 75, who is set to hit the road with The Gene Simmons Band in April and May, shared a unique offering ahead of the tour.
The rocker has shared several Experiences on his website, which fans can buy ahead of his tour.
The experience in question, called “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience,” offers fans the opportunity to not only meet Simmons and his band but to assist him with load-in at the venue, setting up the stage, listening to sound check and spending time backstage.
The roadie will also join Simmons for a meal, and the “Radioactive” artist will introduce the fan during the gig.
The experience costs $12,495 — plus the original ticket price and comes with a bass guitar KISS previously used — and is only available to one fan per venue.
Simmons is offering another package called the “Gene Simmons Bass Experience,” which will give a fan and three guests the chance to meet the “See You Tonite” musician backstage.
With this package, a fan will be able to take home one of Simmons’ bass guitars, which can be signed and personalized for $6,500 for a “non-stage-played” instrument, and $12,500 for one that Simmons previously played at a show in addition to the ticket cost.
Simmons is set to perform 19 dates throughout April and May, making stops in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas. The gigs are set to kick off on April 3 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, Calif., before wrapping on May 24 in Houston, Texas.
Simmons shared his thoughts on another instrument, the bass, in an October 2024 interview with Guitar World and revealed he doesn’t think Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has a “memorable” style.
“There are an awful lot of amazing bass players, like Jaco Pastorius and the jazz guys. Or guys like Flea, who is really good on his instrument, but I can’t remember anything he plays – and I also do not like the sound of a bass being slapped,” Simmons said of the bassist, 62.
The “Detroit Rock City” performer also revealed he was “never really interested in being a bass virtuoso.
I don’t like show-offs in music,” Simmons explained. “I’m much more attracted to things that are memorable. It’s part of the joy of music for me.”
He then reasoned that “you can be a jazz player and be respected by musicians, but the rest of the world doesn’t care.”
“All due respect, but that music is intended to show off how well you play — but I don’t care about that. The hardest thing to do is write a good simple song or riff. That’s really hard,” added Simmons.
