Gene Simmons Badmouths Ace Frehley Prior to Kennedy Center Honors

Gene Simmons, co-lead singer and bassist for KISS told the New York Post on Saturday that former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's death on October 16th, 2025 at age 74 was due to "bad decisions." Simmons' comments came just a day before the band was to be celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors.

"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 Post. "The saddest thing – you reap what you shall sow unfortunately."

The Post further stated that "the Morris County medical examiner report lists the cause of death as a blunt trauma injury of the head due to a fall. It said a separate toxicology report on Frehley’s blood would be issued."

Frehley and Simmons have a history of disputes surrounding Frehley's sobriety.

An empty chair represented the late Frehley's place at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, as one of the four original members of KISS, along with Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss, who released a joint statement acknowledging Frehley's contribution:

"This honor would not be possible without the irreplaceable contributions of our founding partner, Ace Frehley. Knowing how much this award meant to him, we celebrate this milestone as we mourn his loss"

Ace "Spaceman" Frehley and Gene "Demon" Simmons of KISS (Photo credit: Peter Cade)