Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent has robustly defended his decision to sell a new single for a minimum of $225, after facing a wave of criticism from fans over the hefty price tag.
Vincent's Pricey Proposition
The 73-year-old musician, who played with the iconic rock band between 1982 and 1984, recently announced the sale of his latest track, 'Ride the Serpent'. He marketed it as a 'very limited collection piece' on Facebook earlier this month. Only 500 copies are being produced, each featuring a signed sleeve with the song list handwritten by Vincent himself.
Pricing is set at $225 for US customers and $300 for international fans. This announcement prompted significant backlash online, with many followers labelling the cost excessive.
The Guitarist's Blunt Defence
Vincent did not shy away from the controversy, leaving lengthy comments on his social media post to address his critics directly. He acknowledged the discontent, writing, 'I understand the bitching, the moaning, the whining about price.'
However, he framed the high cost as a necessary measure for self-protection. 'My music is so desired that it will be targeted and taken away from me immediately, which I cannot/will not allow,' he explained. He described his situation as a 'dilemma' and stated that the pricing strategy was designed to 'protect my interests' and destroy the incentive for bootlegging.
His tone turned sharper in other responses, where he complained about 'whining bitching immature "I want it for free babies"'. He limited comments on the post, stating it was 'too tiresome' to deal with people who felt entitled to his work. 'Nobody owes them anything, especially me,' Vincent asserted, advising that fans could either pay the price or wait to potentially find a bootleg version.
A Pattern of Premium Pricing from KISS Alumni
This incident is not isolated within the KISS circle. Vincent's post emerges just months after his former bandmate, Gene Simmons, faced similar scrutiny for offering fans a costly experience.
Simmons, whose net worth is estimated at around $400 million, came under fire for charging $12,000 for a one-day opportunity to serve as his personal assistant and band roadie. In May, a 52-year-old fan and his teenage son paid the sum, which included tasks like fetching lunch. They later defended the value of the unique experience.
Simmons had also previously offered premium meet-and-greet packages starting at $6,500. These episodes highlight an ongoing trend of veteran rock stars implementing ultra-premium pricing strategies for exclusive content and access, testing the limits of fan loyalty and spending.
