KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley recently sat down with Vladimir Duthiers of “CBS Mornings” to discuss their storied path to stardom and the bittersweet experience of being named among the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees. The pair, along with original drummer Peter Criss, received their medallions from U.S. President Donald Trump during a ceremony in the Oval Office on December 6, an event shadowed by the absence of original guitarist Ace Frehley.
Frehley passed away less than two months before he was set to stand alongside his bandmates in Washington, D.C. Reflecting on the tragedy, Simmons expressed his deep regret that the guitarist missed the historic moment.
“The saddest thing of all is that Ace couldn’t live long enough to see this amazing thing,” Simmons said.
Despite the physical absence, Simmons emphasized that Frehley‘s spirit was felt as the group reached this career pinnacle.
“We are there at the finish line with Peter. And Ace is up there and he’s gonna be watching and proud.”
Stanley echoed these sentiments, crediting the original lineup for building the empire that endures today.
“You can’t build something without a strong foundation. And Ace and Peter and Gene and I are that foundation,” Stanley noted.
The frontman viewed the Kennedy Center honor as the ultimate validation of their work ethic and journey.
“We are products of the American dream,” Stanley explained. “There are opportunities, and they’re not always the same for everybody, but you’re willing to work hard and find out how much something matters to you by how much you’re willing to work to get it.”
President Trump presided over the ceremony, hailing this year’s group—which also included Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, and Michael Crawford—as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center honorees ever assembled.”
During the presentation, Trump recognized KISS as an “incredible rock band” and paid special tribute to Frehley, acknowledging that he “now is resting in peace.” Frehley‘s daughter, Monique, was present to accept the medallion on her father’s behalf.
According to Billboard, Frehley is only the third artist to receive the honor posthumously, joining Glenn Frey of Eagles and Phil Lesh of Grateful Dead.
Following Frehley‘s death, Simmons had shared a poignant statement regarding his former bandmate’s legacy and the timing of the award.
“Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on,” Simmons wrote at the time. “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 Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
