For original KISS drummer Peter Criss, a recent career pinnacle was shadowed by the absence of his lifelong friend and rhythm section partner, Ace Frehley. During a new appearance on “Podcast Rock City,” the “Catman” opened up emotionally about receiving the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor last month, a moment that was simultaneously surreal and heartbreaking due to Frehley‘s passing earlier in 2025.
Reflecting on the ceremony, which took place in the Oval Office on December 6 with President Donald Trump, Criss admitted he was overwhelmed by how far he had come from his humble beginnings.
“It was a dream. I could not believe this kid from the streets of Brooklyn who grew up in four rooms with seven people is standing in the Oval Office. It was surreal. The worst thing was [original KISS guitarist] Ace [Frehley] wasn’t there.”
While Frehley could not be there to receive his medal, his family ensured his spirit was present. Criss recounted a poignant interaction between the President and Frehley‘s family that left a lasting mark on him.
“I really miss him dearly. We were very close. But his daughter was there, and his wife Jeanette, who’s a little kind of ill, but she was there, and [his daughter] Monique was there. And what touched me about it the most was the president got up from the desk and walked around and gave Jeanette a hug in her wheelchair, and then gave Monique a big hug and put the medal on her. That brought tears to my eyes. I miss him dearly. There’s a big loss without Ace.”
Beyond the personal grief, Criss also expressed a deep professional regret. Fans had long speculated about a potential collaboration between the two original members post-KISS, and Criss confirmed that this was not just fan fiction—it was a personal goal that will now go unfulfilled.
“That was a dream of mine, that him and I would do an album together,” Criss revealed. “I’m sorry that never happened. And Ace did more solo albums than any of us in [KISS]. He’s done, like, 10, easily, solo albums, more than us. He was working on his new album before his tragic accident, and he was getting ready to go on another tour. He was 74. God bless him. And there’ll never be another.”
Frehley‘s death was ruled an accident by the Morris County Medical Examiner, attributed to blunt trauma injuries to the head following a fall. The report detailed multiple fractures and hemorrhages, while also noting that the guitarist had suffered a stroke.
The “Spaceman” left behind a monumental catalog, having defined the sound of 1970s hard rock on seminal albums like Destroyer, Love Gun, and Dynasty. His influence extended well beyond KISS, with a robust solo career that began with his 1978 self-titled hit album and continued through 2024’s 10,000 Volts.
