Gene Simmons Reflects on Ace Frehley’s Tragic Death
Gene Simmons, the lead vocalist of KISS, attributes the untimely death of his colleague and friend, Ace Frehley, to poor life choices. Frehley, a guitarist aged 74, experienced a deadly accident in October, falling down stairs at his residence.
In a recent discussion with The New York Post, Simmons expressed his concerns about Frehley’s lifestyle choices. “He ignored advice from those who cared about him, myself included, about changing his way of life. His life was a series of unfortunate decisions. Falling down stairs, as I see it, isn’t typically fatal, but there could have been contributing factors, which is truly heartbreaking,” he explained.
Ace Frehley’s Battle with Personal Demons
Simmons, now 76, lamented the consequences of Frehley’s actions, suggesting that his struggles with addiction played a significant role in his fate. Despite Frehley having celebrated 18 years of sobriety in 2024, his past issues with substance abuse seemed to have long-lasting effects. “It’s tragic—you ultimately face the outcomes of your actions,” Simmons remarked.
The memories of the private funeral service for Frehley, held on November 2, were particularly painful for Simmons. “It was a somber, heart-wrenching day. Peter Criss, our original drummer, Paul [Stanley], and I attended. Seeing him in the open casket was profoundly sad,” he shared.
On October 16, Frehley passed away from a severe head injury after his fall. The injury led to a fractured skull which caused a brain bleed and ultimately a stroke. The incident was officially declared an accident.
Gene Simmons’ Regrets and Reflections
In a previous conversation with PEOPLE, Simmons expressed his regrets concerning his past interactions with Frehley and Criss. “My only real regret, and I believe this is something we all face at times, is wishing I had been more astute and effective in helping Ace and Peter lead better lives,” he admitted, acknowledging that all members of KISS might have shied away from necessary, tough conversations.
Simmons described the tension between wanting to continue the band’s successful tours and addressing personal issues. “We kept pushing forward with the tours, motivated by selfish reasons — the success, the fans, the money. We didn’t want to jeopardize that, yet in doing so, we might have overlooked the personal downfall one of us was experiencing due to poor choices,” Simmons explained.
Reflecting on his actions, Simmons wished he had employed more “tough love” towards his bandmates. “I believe in tough love, whether it’s with your children, loved ones, or colleagues. It might not always be well-received or lead to arguments, but ultimately, it could steer someone towards a better path,” he stated.
These reflections highlight Simmons’ deep feelings of loss and regret over the passing of his friend, underscoring the complex interplay between personal relationships and the rock-and-roll lifestyle.
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