The band's co-founder issued a rare mea culpa after weighing in with his theories about what caused the former KISS guitarist's death at 74 in October.
Gene Simmons has offered a mea culpa for his hurtful theory on what caused the death of his beloved late KISS bandmate guitarist Ace Frehley. “On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used,” Simmons tweeted early Wednesday morning (Dec. 10). “I humbly apologize.”
The rare retraction from the bassist/singer known for his bombastic, no-filter statements came after Simmons, 76, ruffled some feathers by claiming that “bad decisions” caused Frehley’s death at 74 in October. “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,” Simmons reportedly told The New York Post following Frehley’s death, which was attributed to injuries suffered during a fall the month prior.
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At the time, Simmons appeared to suggest that Frehley’s death was possibly tied to the guitarist’s long struggle with alcoholism, despite Ace reportedly being sober for more than 20 years before his death. “The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow unfortunately,” Simmons said at the time.
But, upon reflection, and following some backlash from fans at what they deemed an unkind final gesture from the teetotaling bassist, Simmons respectfully walked back his earlier statements. “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.”
At the time of his death, Frehley’s family issued a statement that read: “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!”
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band also remembered their founding guitarist, who they called the “essential and irreplaceable rock solider,” adding, “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.”
Simmons issued his own personal post on X as well, writing, “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 Ctr Honors event in Dec. 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, singer/guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss, performing with the band from 1973-1982, before leaving for more than a decade, then returning in 1996 for a reunion tour through 2002.
