Gene Simmons is now making more money than he ever did with KISS.
In a new interview with Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast, the KISS rocker chatted about his solo band and new tours. During the conversation, Simmons revealed his new business plan that apparently helped him make more money than he did during his days with KISS. He said:
“I designed a business model that is just semi-genius. I show up with my guitar pick. That’s it. There’s no manager, no roadies, no trucks, no equipment. Everything is provided by the promoter. The flights, the hotels, all the amplifiers, the drums, everything is rented locally. That’s the promoter’s cost, and whatever six-figure or more amount there is, I pocket. And I literally make more money per gig being Gene Simmons and the Gene Simmons Band than I did in KISS — not counting the ancillaries and all that — because you don’t have a 60-man crew, three double deckers, private jet that’s on call seven days a week and 20 to 24 tractor trailers.”
‘There Are No Rules In Our Shows’
The Gene Simmons Band had their second concert of 2024 on April 26 at the Summer Breeze Festival in São Paulo, Brazil. They played some KISS hits and covered Motörhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades’ and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Communication Breakdown.’
Just three days before, they played at the Rock & Brews restaurant opening in Ridgefield, Washington. It was the first time Simmons performed live since the band’s farewell tour ended in December at Madison Square Garden.
Before their first show, the rocker said there were no rules in his shows and anything can happen:
“There are no rules, which is my favorite thing in life. Anything is bound to happen. I may jump off the stage and get into the audience. We may pull some folks out of the audience. You wanna sing ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’? Here’s the mic. Good luck.”
You can watch the interview below.