Gene Simmons has defended his decision to ask his fans to pay him $12,000 to spend a day as his companion on tour.

In March, Simmons' website announced this opportunity, which costs $12,000. For this amount, fans can bring a guest and experience life "on the GS Band Team Crew for the entire day."

The expensive privilege includes access to Simmons at his hotel, the opportunity to share a meal with him, backstage access at the concert venue, and rehearsals before the rock star takes the stage. An autographed bass guitar is included as a bonus.

In an interview with Radio 95.9 The Rat in New Jersey, Simmons said the idea came to him when he remembered watching Jimi Hendrix when he was younger and wondered "what it would be like" to spend a day in his shoes during a tour.

However, Simmons has been criticized for the high price he is asking fans to pay. He responds that he is just playing it safe.

"I'll tell you why — because today everyone judges everyone for no reason. If someone cuts themselves with a piece of paper, someone else will be judged for it. That's life here in America — especially in California, by the way. It's crazy here. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't take 10, 20, 30 people with me, as many as we would like. That's why it's just one, because the insurance for that is astronomical. And it's not cheap. It's not for everyone. That's life," the musician shared.

Defending his decision, the Kiss frontman previously told the New York Post: "When I was a kid and went to concerts, I always wondered, 'What's it like when they're in the hotel? What's it like when the stage is set up? What's it like to be on stage when they're playing and you can see the audience from there?'"

Despite postponing a number of concert dates until 2026, Simmons is currently on tour in North America and will be joined by a number of fans along the way. | BGNES