KISS co-founder Gene Simmons has issued a public apology following backlash over his recent remarks regarding the death of original guitarist Ace Frehley. The bassist took to social media earlier today to retract statements suggesting that Frehley‘s passing was a result of his lifestyle choices.
In a message posted to his account on X (formerly Twitter), Simmons expressed regret for the insensitive nature of his previous comments.
“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used,” Simmons wrote. “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.”
The controversy stems from a recent interview with the New York Post, published just days before the surviving members of KISS were honored at the Kennedy Center. In that conversation, Simmons implied that Frehley‘s fatal fall in October was not merely an accident but a consequence of personal failures.
“He refused [advice] from people that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions,” Simmons had stated at the time. “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 Morris County Medical Examiner officially ruled Frehley‘s death an accident caused by blunt-trauma injuries to the head sustained from a fall at his home.
Despite the friction caused by the comments, Simmons had previously spoken about the emotional weight of attending Frehley‘s funeral alongside Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
“Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket. It was just heartbreaking,” Simmons recalled. “Saddest of all perhaps is that Ace just couldn’t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Center… What can you say — sad.”
Frehley remains a towering figure in rock history, celebrated for his work on seminal albums such as Destroyer (1976), Love Gun (1977), and Dynasty (1979). He penned and performed some of the band’s most enduring tracks, including “Shock Me,” “Rocket Ride,” and “Talk to Me.” His solo career was equally impactful, launched by his 1978 self-titled album featuring the hit “New York Groove,” and continuing through recent releases like Anomaly (2009) and 10,000 Volts (2024).
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
