Gene Simmons gives fans new opportunity to record song with him for £5000

Bargain!

KISS bassist Gene Simmons
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 20th Mar 2023
Last updated 20th Mar 2023

KISS fans have been given a fresh opportunity to record a song with Gene Simmons.

Last month, The Demon invited fans to a one-day recording session at London’s Abbey Road Studios on 10th July for a whopping £5000. The studio time with Simmons follows the conclusion of KISS’s farewell UK tour.

After the London song recording session sold out, Gene Simmons has announced a new package costing $5,995 (£4990), taking place over three days at Jimi Hendrix’s legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York on 4th, 5th and 6th December 2023.

The studios are the scene of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons’ very first recording session half a century ago.

KISS in 2023

In a video announcing the new package, Simmons says: "Everybody knows December 1st and 2nd New York City, Madison Square Garden (are) the last shows Kiss will ever play. But we're going to be in New York so I want to do something special for you.

"Why not do something astonishing? So December 4, 5 and 6 I'm taking over Electric Lady Studios, where we began our life, and I'm going to record a song. I want you to join me, doing lyrics, singing along with me on choruses. We'll have food, a lot of fun, and I'll give you stuff from my private collection that spans 50 years.

"You'll get all kinds of toys, games, lyrics, artwork, all kinds of stuff nobody else has, for you, from me to you."

Alongside recording a song with Simmons, fans will get to chat with the bassist about his life and his career with KISS, and Simmons vows to give away memorabilia from his personal KISS collection for attendees to keep including signed items.

A website promoting the New York package says no musical Experience is necessary but if you play an instrument, you can bring it along to the session. You will also get to keep a copy of the song, which Gene won’t release.

KISS's final UK tour dates:

JUNE 2023

Plymouth Argyle Home Park – Sat 3rd

Birmingham Arena – Mon 5th

Newcastle Utilita Arena – Tue 6th

JULY 2023

London The O2 – Wed 5th

Manchester AO Arena – Fri 7th

Glasgow OVO Hydro – Sat 8th

Buy KISS tickets

KISS's final UK tour

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