As someone who’s observed a lot of dynamics in creative partnerships, I’ve been thinking a lot about Gene Simmons recently. He’s been openly sharing his regrets about his relationship with the late Ace Frehley, just weeks after the sad news of Ace’s passing. It’s a reminder that even in the most iconic groups, things aren’t always perfect, and sometimes, there’s unfinished business.
The celebrated guitarist, a founding member of the iconic rock band, died on October 16th at the age of 74. His family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support after he was hospitalized.
Investigators determined he died from a head injury sustained in a fall, and the death was ruled an accident earlier this month.
Simmons was one of the founding members of KISS along with Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
The singer recently shared that his biggest regret is not having done more to help former KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss improve their lives. He admitted that everyone probably feels this way about people they care about sometimes, speaking at the KISS Kruise in Las Vegas, according to People magazine.
I’ve always admired how honest they are, and they recently admitted something really relatable: they tend to avoid bringing up issues just to keep the peace. They even jokingly called it being ‘guilty’ of that habit, and honestly, I think a lot of us can understand that!
Let’s keep going with the tour. You seem motivated by personal gain – it’s benefiting you financially, and you don’t want to risk losing that, so you don’t want to stop now.
It really struck me when Simmons said it – someone who could be family, maybe even my brother, is making terrible choices and essentially throwing their life away. It’s heartbreaking to think about.
The singer, famous for the song “Detroit Rock City,” also admitted he wished he’d been stricter with the people he cared about.
He admitted this wasn’t a decision everyone would agree with, and it might even cause some disagreement, but he believed it could ultimately help someone turn their life around.
Simmons recalled using the tactic of ‘tough love’ to help his mother quit smoking cigarettes.
As a longtime observer of pop culture, I remember when KISS first burst onto the scene in New York City back in 1973. While the band has seen a few lineup changes over the years, one member, Peter Criss, had a particularly interesting journey. He was with them from the beginning, leaving after about seven years, but thankfully rejoined for a period between 1995 and 2000. He even made a return appearance in 2003, though ultimately decided to move on for good the following year. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring appeal that members keep finding their way back!
Ace Frehley played lead guitar for the band and famously created the character known as The Spaceman.
He played with the group until 1982, when he left to start his own band, Frehley’s Comet.
Ace Frehley rejoined KISS in 1996 for a reunion tour, but left the band again in 2002.
Simmons and Stanley were deeply saddened by Frehley’s recent passing and publicly shared heartfelt tributes to the rock icon last month.
The pair issued a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter after the shock news of his passing.
I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Ace Frehley. He was a vital and unique part of the band during its early, most influential years.
They shared that he will forever be remembered as an important part of KISS’s history, and expressed their sympathy for Jeanette, Monique, his loved ones, and fans everywhere.
As a lifestyle observer, it was really touching to hear that Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss came together just days after the sad passing of their fellow guitarist. An eyewitness told me they reunited for a memorial service in late October – a beautiful tribute, and a testament to the bonds they shared.
A small, personal memorial service for Frehley was held in his hometown of the Bronx, New York City.
According to TMZ, the musician apparently fell and hit his head in his home studio several weeks before he passed away.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to prioritize comfort and peace at the end of life. It breaks my heart to share that Ace Frehley’s family recently released a statement to Rolling Stone saying they’re understandably devastated by his loss, but they found solace in being able to ensure he was comfortable in his final days. It’s a reminder to all of us to cherish those moments and focus on what truly matters.
His family shared that they were grateful to have filled his final moments with love, comfort, and peaceful thoughts and prayers as he passed away.
Ace Frehley’s family celebrated his life and remembered the joy, laughter, and kindness he shared with everyone.
They continued: ‘The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.
Ace lived a truly remarkable life, and his accomplishments will always be remembered.
The Morris County Medical Examiner in New Jersey determined that Ace Frehley died from a head injury sustained in a fall.
The complete medical examiner’s report, obtained by the Daily Mail, reveals the star died from a fractured skull and a significant bleed on the left side of his brain.
Frehley had also suffered from a left temporal bone fracture as well as a stroke.
KISS is a popular band with many well-known songs, including “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Detroit Rock City.”
In addition to his work with Kiss, Ace Frehley has released eight solo studio albums, such as Trouble Walkin’ (1989), Space Invader (2014), and Origins Vol. 2 (2020).
The legendary rock band KISS held a three-day fan event called KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Las Vegas this past weekend.
It was the also the first time the group performed since Frehley’s death one month earlier.
On Friday, Stanley began by asking everyone to pause and remember Ace, a founding member of the band, before they started the show and had some fun.
‘We certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about.’
According to People magazine, Simmons and Stanley, along with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, mentioned their former bandmate only for a short time during the next concert.
Thayer was also seen lifting one of his hands towards the sky before playing a guitar solo.
On Saturday, the concert audience repeatedly chanted the name ‘Ace’ in memory of the beloved guitarist.
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2025-11-18 23:37