In a recent interview with the New York Post<\/a>, Simmons said Frehley\u2019s poor lifestyle choices led to his death at age 74 in October.<\/p>\n \u201cHe refused (to take advice) from people that cared about him \u2014 including yours truly \u2014 to try to change his lifestyle,\u201d Simmons said in the Post interview. \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 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 Last weekend, the rock band was recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump at the annual Kennedy Center Honors.<\/p>\n Article content<\/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 Simmons said Frehley\u2019s funeral<\/a> 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 of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall, according to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner obtained by TMZ.<\/p>\n The guitarist\u2019s death was ruled an accident.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED VIDEO We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n Love concerts, but can’t make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off.<\/a> Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n![\"Loading...\"](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/common\/icon-spinner-animated.svg\"){kind=icon}
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