KISS Settle Expensive Lawsuit With Wig Roadie

0
39

Known for their extravagant makeup and hair, it’s no surprise that a band like KISS would have a wig roadie. Unfortunately for them, one of their former wig roadies just cost them a pretty penny.

A dispute between the rock band and a fired wig roadie was recently settled out of court, after the judge warned them that moving forward with the case could cost them millions of dollars.

David Mathews, who worked with KISS for 30 years, accused the band of mistreatment and wrongful dismissal in 2023. According to Rolling Stone, while a trial was set for this month, it was called off on January 6th and instead will be replaced by a March hearing to confirm the unreleased details of the settlement.

Mathews’ lawsuit made accusations of being forced to work in close proximity with Gene Simmons during a time when strict COVID-19 rules were in place.

The band’s safety practices during the pandemic gained a lot of attention when a crew member, Fran Stueber, died of COVID-19 in 2021. 

Mathews claims in his lawsuit that he was fired because KISS’ manager Doc McGhee allegedly believed that he leaked information to the press about the band’s health security measures. Mathews, however, has denied that he is the one who spoke to the media.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Armen Tamzarian commented: “If this goes to trial, it would not surprise me if Mr. Mathews got nothing. It would not surprise me if he made a big pot of money. This is the kind of case any rational person would settle. There’s a big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other.”

Tamzarian added that if the ex-roader were to win, “there are deep, deep pockets there, and there could be a big result.”

Details and finalization of the settlement between KISS and Mathews is expected in March.