NEW YORK (AP) — Gene Simmons has issued a public apology for his earlier comments about the death of his former KISS bandmate, guitarist Ace Frehley.
“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used,” Simmons posted Wednesday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I humbly apologize.”
Simmons, 76, is known for his outspoken personality and unfiltered statements. He faced backlash after suggesting in an interview with the New York Post that “bad decisions” contributed to Frehley’s death at age 74 in October. Frehley died from injuries suffered in a fall the previous month.
“He refused [advice] from people that cared about him – including yours truly – to try to change his lifestyle,” Simmons told the Post. “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.”
At the time, Simmons appeared to imply that Frehley’s death could be linked to his long struggle with alcoholism, although Frehley had reportedly been sober for more than 20 years.
“The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow unfortunately,” Simmons said.
After fans criticized his comments as insensitive, Simmons walked back his remarks.
“My hand to God I didn’t intend to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone,” Simmons wrote. “Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”
Upon Frehley’s death, his family said in a statement: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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. … Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever.”
KISS, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, also paid tribute to Frehley.
“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world,” the band said in a statement.
Simmons also posted personally on X: “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors event in December. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
KISS were honored at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors over the weekend.
Frehley co-founded KISS with Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss in 1973. He performed with the band until 1982, left for more than a decade, and returned in 1996 for a reunion tour, performing through 2002.
