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Kiss frontman Gene Simmons believes “bad decisions” resulted in the death of his former bandmate, Kiss guitarist and cofounder Ace Frehley.
In an interview with the New York Post, published on Saturday, December 6, Simmons, 76, detailed his perspective. “He refused [advice] from people that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions. Falling down the stairs — I’m not a doctor — doesn’t kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart,” Simmons said.
He continued, “The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately.”
Us Weekly confirmed on November 10 that Frehley died at the age of 74 after suffering from a stroke and “subdural hematoma” caused by a fracture to the back of his skull, on October 16. His death was ruled an accident. It was first reported on by TMZ at the time.
Simmons’ New York Post interview also discussed the private funeral service that was held for Frehley on October 22. “Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket,” Simmons told the outlet. “It was just heartbreaking.”
Frehley’s death was confirmed by his family in a statement provided to Us after his death. “We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” the statement read. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.”
Gene Simmons Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The statement concluded, “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
The statement also noted that Frehley died peacefully while surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey. The death occurred just 10 days after Frehley announced that he would cancel the remainder of a 2025 solo tour due to medical issues.
Ace Frehley Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Additionally, the cancellation notice came two weeks after Frehley pulled the pin on a scheduled September 26 show due to a fall inside his home that landed him in the hospital.
Us spoke with Frehley’s manager, John Ostrosky, in the days following his death. “Since 1976, Space Ace has been my Superman. His kindness, caring, and inclination to mentor was at the forefront until the very end. His influence will live with me forever,” Ostrosky told Us at the time.
UPDATE — 10/9/25 at 5:45 p.m. ET: Gene Simmons has broken his silence two days after getting into a car crash in Malibu. “Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I’m completely fine,” Simmons wrote via X on Thursday, October 9. “I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us [who] were […]
Kiss was composed of Frehley, Simmons, Stanley and Criss, rising to fame in the 1970s and boasting 14 platinum albums to its name. Frehley left the band in 1982 amid creative differences, going on to form his own band, Frehley’s Comet, before shifting paths again and going solo.
Frehley released his first solo album, 10,000 Volts, in 2024. In an interview with SiriusXM in February, the musician revealed that he has started work on a new album of cover tracks titled Origins Vol. 3.
