Gene Simmons Reflects on Ace Frehley's Tragic Demise: A Tale of Unheeded Warnings and Unfulfilled Dreams
Gene Simmons, the iconic KISS bassist and vocalist, has opened up about the untimely death of his bandmate, Ace Frehley, in a recent interview with the New York Post. Simmons, known for his blunt and often controversial opinions, shared his thoughts on Frehley's passing, which occurred due to a fall down the stairs in his New Jersey home studio.
The Morris County Medical Examiner's report revealed that Frehley's death was caused by blunt-trauma injuries to his head, including multiple contusions, bone fractures, hemorrhages, and a subdural hematoma. The manner of death was ruled an accident, and the report also noted that Frehley had suffered a stroke.
Simmons expressed his sorrow, stating, '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.'
He continued, 'The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately. It breaks my heart.' Simmons attended Frehley's private funeral, where he saw the guitarist's open casket, and described the scene as 'heartbreaking.'
During the KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas event, Simmons reflected on his career choices, saying, 'If I have any regrets, it's that I sometimes — and I think we all go through this — wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace and Peter have better lives. All of us are guilty of it, and so am I.'
He emphasized the importance of tough love, saying, 'I wish I would have practiced more tough love and been more in the face of people that we cared about.'
Frehley's death was a shock to the music world, as he was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, following a private memorial. Simmons and other KISS co-founders, including Paul Stanley and Peter Criss, paid tribute to Frehley's legacy, highlighting his contributions to the band's early success and his place in rock history.
Frehley's family released a statement expressing their devastation and gratitude for the support they received during his final moments. They celebrated his life, strengths, and kindness, acknowledging the profound impact of his passing.
Ace Frehley's journey with KISS was marked by both triumph and controversy. He co-founded the band with Simmons, Stanley, and Criss in 1973, appearing on their first nine albums and the 1998 reunion album. However, Frehley's relationship with the band was not without challenges, as he left in 1982 and rejoined in 1996 before departing again in 2002.
Frehley's struggles with drug and alcohol abuse were well-documented, and Simmons himself acknowledged the band's role in exacerbating these issues. In a 2019 interview, Simmons revealed that Frehley and Criss left KISS multiple times due to their unreliability and failure to 'carry their load' onstage.
Despite their differences, Simmons and Frehley shared a deep connection through their music. Frehley's legacy as a founding member of KISS and his impact on the rock genre will undoubtedly endure, leaving a lasting impression on fans and musicians alike.
