Gene Simmons, the iconic co-founder and frontman of the legendary rock band KISS, recently shared his feelings regarding the tragic death of former bandmate Ace Frehley. The guitarist, known for his electrifying performances and unparalleled guitar skills, tragically passed away at the age of 74 after suffering blunt-trauma injuries from a fall at his home studio in Morristown, New Jersey. The Morris County Medical Examiner ruled the death as accidental, but Simmons believes that Frehley’s longstanding struggles with substance abuse contributed to that fateful day.
Reflecting on Frehley’s passing, which occurred in October, Simmons told the New York Post that this incident was the culmination of a series of “bad decisions.” He lamented how Frehley had been sober for two decades but still faced challenges that led him to refuse help from those who truly cared about him. Simmons voiced his heartache, saying, “He refused [advice] from people that cared about him — including yours truly.”
During this candid conversation, Simmons expressed how difficult it was to reconcile Frehley’s vibrant contributions to KISS with the finality of his death. He attended Frehley’s private funeral on October 22, which was marked by deep sorrow among the surviving band members. “It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley], and myself went to the funeral, open casket,” he recounted, highlighting the poignant reality of loss and camaraderie. “Saddest of all perhaps is that Ace just couldn’t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Center and listen to impressive tributes about what KISS meant to the world.”
In the weeks following Frehley’s death, Simmons has also reflected on his relationships with both Frehley and another bandmate, Peter Criss. Speaking during the KISS Kruise in Las Vegas in November, he openly admitted, “If I have any regrets, my hand to God, it’s that I sometimes — and I think we all go through this sometimes — wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace and Peter have better lives.” This statement underscores a common predicament faced by those within high-pressure environments like the music industry, where the allure of success can overshadow personal responsibility towards friends.
Simmons articulated the struggle of balancing a successful career with personal relationships. He acknowledged moments when the band chose to ignore critical issues for the sake of comfort and convenience. “Let’s just continue doing the tour because you want to get through it for selfish reasons because it’s working, and the chicks, and the money.” However, the cost of inaction can be devastating. “Meantime, somebody who might be your brother is ruining their life by bad decisions,” he lamented.
The concept of “tough love” emerged as a significant theme in Simmons’ reflections. He advocated that confronting loved ones about their destructive behaviors, while difficult, can ultimately serve their best interests. “Tough love is a good idea in my opinion, with your children, with the people you love, with the people you care about, with the people you work with,” he emphasized. While acknowledging that this approach may not be popular, he firmly believed it could lead to positive changes in their lives.
To illustrate his point, Simmons shared a personal anecdote about his mother’s battle with smoking. “She whacked me on the butt, but my mother quit smoking. And that’s what it’s about,” he remarked, suggesting that sometimes, intervention—albeit uncomfortable—is necessary to guide those we care about towards healthier choices.