Gene Simmons is looking back at one of the most difficult chapters in his history with Ace Frehley — and this time, the tone is different. It’s not about conflict or criticism. It’s about regret.
In a recent conversation, Simmons openly admitted that he wishes he had done more decades ago when Frehley was struggling with substance abuse. At the time, the band chose not to confront the situation head-on — a decision Simmons now sees as a mistake.
Instead of stepping in, the members of KISS largely avoided intervention, focusing on keeping the band moving forward. Looking back, Simmons didn’t sugarcoat it, calling that choice “stupid and shameful,” acknowledging that everyone involved — including himself — shares responsibility.
The reality, as Simmons describes it, is that no one wanted to disrupt the momentum. The band was successful, the machine was running, and confronting a serious issue like addiction risked breaking that flow. So they stayed silent — and let things continue.
But that silence is exactly what he regrets now.
Simmons has reflected before on wishing they had been “smarter and better” at helping Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, admitting that avoiding conflict may have made things worse in the long run.
Frehley, one of the founding members of KISS, battled substance abuse for years during and after his time in the band — a struggle that shaped both his career and his personal life.
Now, with time and perspective, Simmons sees things differently. The idea of stepping in — even if it caused tension — feels like something they should have done. Not for the band, but for the person.
It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from someone known more for confidence than reflection. And it reframes part of KISS history — not just as a story of success and spectacle, but one of missed chances behind the scenes.
Because sometimes the biggest regret isn’t what happened…
It’s what didn’t.
