On December 7, 2025, Gene Simmons publicly stated that a string of “bad decisions” contributed to the death of his former bandmate Ace Frehley. According to Simmons, Frehley — the founding guitarist for KISS — suffered a fall in his New Jersey home studio on September 25, which led to skull fractures, a brain bleed and, eventually, his death on October 16 after being removed from life support. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death an accidental blunt-force head trauma.
In an interview with the New York Post, Simmons expressed deep regret. He said that Frehley “refused [advice] from people that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to change his lifestyle.” Simmons implied that the fall was not simply a random accident, adding: “Falling down the stairs — I’m not a doctor — doesn’t kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart.” He lamented that despite attempts to reach out, Frehley stayed “in and out of bad decisions.”
Beyond sorrow, Simmons admitted to feeling regret over missed opportunities to intervene. Speaking at a November 2025 fan-cruise event, he said that if given a second chance, he’d have practiced more “tough love” with both Frehley and fellow former bandmate Peter Criss. Simmons acknowledged that the band often chose to keep touring rather than confront issues that eventually took a toll on their friends. “We decided to keep doing the tour because it was working — the money, the fame,” he recalled, “meantime, somebody who might be your brother is ruining their life by bad decisions.”
Simmons also reflected on the emotional toll of Frehley’s death, describing the private funeral — held October 22 — as heartbreaking. He and fellow original bandmates attended the service despite decades of conflict and estrangement. Simmons said seeing his old friend in an open casket was one of the “saddest” moments he’s experienced.
While Frehley’s death was officially classified as accidental, Simmons implied there could have been other contributing factors beyond the fall. A toxicology report remains pending, and officials have not ruled out further health-related complications.
In the wake of the tragedy, Simmons and his bandmates have repeatedly honored Frehley’s legacy. In their public statement after his death, they called him “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier.” He was posthumously included among KISS’s 2025 honors by the Kennedy Center, with the medal presented to his daughter in his stead.
Simmons’ frank words — alleging lifestyle choices led to Frehley’s demise — have sparked backlash from some fans, who argue that public shaming casts a harsh shadow over mourning. But to Simmons, it’s a cautionary tale: a reminder that rock ’n’ roll glory sometimes carries a heavy price. “The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately,” he said, his voice edged with sorrow.
