‘What can you say \u2014 sad,’ KISS rocker says in new interview<\/p>\n
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Published Dec 09, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Gene Simmons says Ace Frehley\u2019s poor lifestyle choices is what led to his death at the age of 74 in October.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe refused (to take advice) from people that cared about him \u2013 including yours truly \u2013 to try to change his lifestyle,\u201d Simmons says in a new interview with the New York Post<\/a>. \u201cIn and out of bad decisions. Falling down the stairs \u2014 I\u2019m not a doctor \u2014 doesn\u2019t kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Simmons called Frehley\u2019s death the \u201csaddest thing,\u201d but said his KISS bandmate\u2019s passing was inevitable because he didn\u2019t take his health seriously. \u201cYou reap what you shall sow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n KISS was recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump at the annual Kennedy Center Honors over the weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cBillions and billions of people have watched them over the years,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Simmons said Frehley\u2019s funeral left him devastated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul (Stanley) and myself went to the funeral, open casket,\u201d Simmons continued.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just heartbreaking. Saddest of all perhaps is that Ace just couldn\u2019t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Center and listen to \u2026 really impressive people, just to say how much KISS meant to them,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cWhat can you say \u2014 sad.\u201d<\/p>\n Frehley died on Oct. 16<\/a> of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall, according to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner obtained by TMZ<\/a>.<\/p>\n The guitarist\u2019s death was ruled an accident.<\/p>\n Frehley, who called himself \u201ca Trump supporter\u201d in 2020<\/a>, described the Kennedy Center Honor as \u201ca dream come true that I never thought would materialize.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n In a statement, Frehley\u2019s family said<\/a> they were \u201ccompletely devastated and heartbroken\u201d by his death.<\/p>\n 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,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension,\u201d they continued.<\/p>\n \u2018Not everybody is designed to run a marathon\u2019<\/p>\n Simmons has previously been candid about his former bandmates and how they couldn\u2019t fit in with KISS\u2019 commitment to long term success.<\/p>\n \u201cRockers are morons, drugs get in the way and alcohol \u2026 but you can\u2019t pay attention to that,\u201d Simmons told Postmedia in a 2021 interview. \u201cSo KISS always took care of business and continues to. That means, when you\u2019re a car and you get a flat tire, you get rid of the tire so you can continue on your journey. You can\u2019t let one or two flat tires stop you. (We had) a few dysfunctional people who preferred alcohol and drugs to doing their best.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Simmons added that he loved Ace and wished he well, \u201cbut not everybody is designed to run a marathon.\u201d<\/p>\n He also spoke about KISS\u2019 decision to retire from the road.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing the right thing by the fans. We have too much self respect to stay out there a day longer if we can\u2019t live up to our self-mandated manifesto: You wanted the best, you got the best,\u201d he said at the time. \u201cIt\u2019s not, \u2018Hey, I remember when they were good.\u2019 We\u2019re not fat, bloated Elvis that should have quit earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Frehley co-founded KISS alongside Simmons, Stanley and Criss in 1973 and played with the band until 1982 when he left to form his own group, Frehley\u2019s Comet.<\/p>\n The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer reunited with his KISS bandmates in 1996 before departing again in 2002.<\/p>\n mdaniell@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Gene Simmons uncensored: KISS icon talks vodka, anti-vaxxers and final tour<\/p>\n <\/a> KISS fans rage at Gene Simmons for selling $12K roadie experience<\/p>\n <\/a> Kiss founder Ace Frehley cause of death revealed<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n![\"Gene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gene-simmons_66635246-e1760018969439.jpg\")
Gene Simmons poses for a photo at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto on Sept. 14, 2018. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk \/Toronto SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Ace Frehley performs at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade on March 6, 2016. Photo by Ethan Miller \/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Gene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Gene-Simmons-e1640816962234.jpg\")
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