Gene Simmons apologizes for comments about KISS bandmate's death

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Gene Simmons has publicly apologized for suggesting the death of his KISS bandmate, guitarist Ace Frehley, was a result of the legendary guitarist’s “bad decisions.”

“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used,” the KISS bassist/vocalist wrote on social-media platform X on Wednesday. “I humbly apologize. My hand to God I didn’t intended (sic) to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”

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On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used. I humbly apologize. My hand to God i didn’t intended to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) December 10, 2025

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Simmons said Frehley’s poor lifestyle choices led to his death at age 74 in October.

“He refused (to take advice) from people that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to change his lifestyle,” Simmons said in the Post interview. “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 called Frehley’s death the “saddest thing,” but said his KISS bandmate’s passing was inevitable because he didn’t take his health seriously. “You reap what you shall sow,” he said.

Last weekend, the rock band was recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump at the annual Kennedy Center Honors.

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“Billions and billions of people have watched them over the years,” Trump said as he paid tribute to KISS as well as country music superstar George Strait, Rocky star Sylvester Stallone, I Will Survive singer Gloria Gaynor and Tony Award-winning actor Michael Crawford.

Simmons said Frehley’s funeral left him devastated.

“It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul (Stanley) and myself went to the funeral, open casket,” Simmons continued.

“It was just heartbreaking. Saddest of all perhaps is that Ace just couldn’t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Center and listen to … really impressive people, just to say how much KISS meant to them,” Simmons said. “What can you say — sad.”

Frehley died on Oct. 16 of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall, according to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner obtained by TMZ.

The guitarist’s death was ruled an accident.

Gene Simmons apologizes for comments about KISS bandmate’s death

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