Man with MS Spends $12K to Be Gene Simmons’ Roadie with Son: ‘I’ll Die Happy

Gene Simmons found two fans to take him up on his more than $12,000 offer. In a New York Times story published on Monday, May 12, it was revealed that Dwayne Rosado, a retired corrections sergeant and his son Zach Rosado, paid $12,495 for “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience” where they had the opportunity to be Simmons’ “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day while on tour with The Gene Simmons Band.

Dwayne, 52 and his son, 13, recently had the experience — which the father purchased as a birthday gift for his son — on Monday, May 5 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, N.J.

However, the experience was also a gift for the New York-based father himself, who, the publication reported, had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year and a half ago.

“You only live once, and I want to experience life,” he told the outlet. “I’m not going to die with a lot of money. I’m going to die happy.”

The Rosados shared takeout from “a local Italian place” with the KISS bassist and co-lead singer, 75, who recalled “losing his virginity at age 13 or 14 to a married woman on his newspaper delivery route,” per the publication.

The father and son also discussed the lofty price for the experience with Simmons, who defended it.

“There’s free market, supply and demand,” he told them, per the publication. “People want to do it, you do it. You buy a Rolls because you want a Rolls, but a Volkswagen will get you there, too.”

Ahead of the gig, the Rosados were also privy to a security briefing, which included an emphasis on “etiquette,” according to the ouetlet.

During the show, they were able to join Simmons onstage and spend time with him in his dressing room after it was over.

“It felt awkward, because I have a whole crowd in front of me, and all I wanted to do is hug him,” Dwayne recalled, per the publication. “I didn’t care about anything else that was going on.”

According to Dwayne, the $12,495 price tag for the experience was “absolutely” worth it, per the outlet.

“Nothing can beat tonight,” he said, according to the publication. “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.”

In March, Simmons offered fans the opportunity to be his “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day via his official website.

At the time, he offered several Experiences, however, the one in question, called “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience,” allowed fans 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.

They were also able to join the legendary rocker for a meal and be introduced onstage.

Later that month, Simmons defended his decision to charge more than $12,000 for one fan to be his “personal assistant and band roadie” for a day in an interview with 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?’” he told the publication.

VIA

NEXT >>>