A man living with Multiple Sclerosis spent more than $12,000 to fulfill his dream of being Gene Simmons’ roadie, alongside his 13-year-old son, saying, “I’m going to die happy.”
By Website Content Manager
In March, the KISS bassist and co-lead singer gave fans the chance to become his “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day, available for a significant fee.
Gene Simmons managed to find two fans who accepted his offer of over $12,000.
According to a New York Times article published on May 12, Dwayne Rosado, a retired corrections sergeant, and his 13-year-old son Zach Rosado, paid $12,495 for what was dubbed “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience.” This opportunity allowed them to serve as Simmons’ “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day while touring with The Gene Simmons Band.
Dwayne, 52, and his son, Zach, recently enjoyed this experience—purchased by Dwayne as a birthday present for Zach—on May 5 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey.
The experience was also meaningful for Dwayne, who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about a year and a half ago, as reported in the article.
“I want to live life to the fullest,” Dwayne Rosado shared with the outlet. “I’m not focused on dying with a lot of money. I want to die happy.”
The Rosados enjoyed a meal from a local Italian restaurant with KISS bassist and co-lead singer, Gene Simmons, 75, who shared a personal story about losing his virginity at 13 or 14 to a married woman while delivering newspapers, as reported by the publication.
During their time with Simmons, father and son also discussed the hefty cost of the experience, to which Simmons responded by defending the price.
“There’s free market, supply and demand,” he explained. “If people want it, they’ll pay for it. You buy a Rolls-Royce because you want one, but a Volkswagen can get you there too.”
Before the concert, the Rosados received a security briefing that also emphasized “etiquette,” according to the outlet.
At the show, they were invited to join Simmons on stage and spend time with him backstage afterward.
“It felt awkward with the crowd in front of me, all I wanted to do was hug him,” Dwayne recalled. “I didn’t care about anything else happening.”
Dwayne firmly believed the $12,495 was well worth it. “Nothing beats tonight,” he said. “It’s now part of Kisstory, and it’ll be on YouTube and everywhere. I can look back on that moment forever.”
In March, Simmons made available a unique opportunity on his official website, offering fans the chance to become his “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day.
Among several other Experiences offered at the time, the one titled “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience” allowed fans to not only meet Simmons and his band, but also assist with the load-in at the venue, help set up the stage, listen to the soundcheck, and spend time backstage.
Participants also had the chance to dine with the iconic rocker and be introduced onstage.
Later that month, Simmons defended his decision to charge over $12,000 for this experience in an interview with the New York Post.