KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has issued an apology for his recent implication regarding the lifestyle choices of his late ex-KISS bandmate Ace Frehley. The latter passed away on October 16th, 2025 as the result of blunt force injuries to the head. Those injuries were sustained in a fall that occurred in late September in a studio. As a result of that tumble, Frehley was left hospitalized for a period of time as doctors attempted to alleviate the severity of the injuries.
Per a Morris County, NJ Medical Examiner’s report listing, the fall left Frehley with ‘a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma and a stroke. Doctors later surgically removed a portion of his skull to alleviate the swelling from the injuries he sustained, but were unsuccessful in their bid. As such, the family ultimately were left to make the devastating decision to pull the 74-year-old hard rock icon off life support.
Speaking to the New York Post last week, Simmons made a callous comment about the nature of Frehley‘s death, stating:
“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. The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately. It breaks my heart.”
Simmons faced widespread condemnation for his comments. They also seemed particularly egregious, given that shortly after making them, Simmons took part in the Kennedy Center Honors award ceremony, where KISS was recognized by U.S. President Donald J. Trump for their contributions to the arts. Simmons, KISS vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss were all present at that ceremony, as was Frehley‘s daughter Monique, accepting her father’s award posthumously.
Taking to social media this morning, December 10th, Simmons offered the following apology for his recent comments:
“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used. I humbly apologize. My hand to God i didn’t intended to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”
On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used. I humbly apologize. My hand to God i didn’t intended to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) December 10, 2025
