Bad Decisions

Gene Simmons says KISS bandmate Ace Frehley's death was the result of 'bad decisions' Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By JACQUELINE LINDENBERG Published: 00:06 EST, 7 December 2025 | Updated: 00:40 EST, 7 December 2025 e-mail 8 View comments e-mail Top +99Home 8 View comments Gene Simmons said that his former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley's shock passing was the result of 'bad decisions.' The late guitarist - who was one of the original members of the famed rock group - passed away at the age of 74 on October 16 when his family took him off of life support following his hospitalization. Last month in November, his cause of death was revealed to be from blunt force trauma to the head after a fall inside his New Jersey home studio - and classified as an accident. 'He refused [advice] from people that cared about him – including yours truly – to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions,' Simmons, 76, told The New York Post in an article published on Saturday. The rock star added, '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 then said, 'The saddest thing - you reap what you shall sow unfortunately.' Gene Simmons, 76, said that his former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley's shock passing was the result of 'bad decisions'; seen in June in L.A. + 12 View gallery Gene Simmons, 76, said that his former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley's shock passing was the result of 'bad decisions'; seen in June in L.A. The rock star added, 'Falling down the stairs - I'm not a doctor - doesn't kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart'; Frehley seen in 2018 in NYC + 12 View gallery The rock star added, 'Falling down the stairs - I'm not a doctor - doesn't kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart'; Frehley seen in 2018 in NYC TRENDING Kylie Jenner shows Timothee Chalamet what he's missing 997 viewing now Bianca Censori in trouble with the law after selfish act at clinic 24.2k viewing now Sydney Sweeney covers her breasts with hands in rare BTS snap 1.3k viewing now Days after the late guitarist's passing, Simmons as well as other original KISS founding members Paul Stanley and Peter Criss reunited to attend a memorial service in late October per an eyewitness. The intimate celebration of life was held in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City - where Frehley had been born. Read More Grieving Gene Simmons reveals regrets over Ace Frehley one month after Kiss star's shock death article image Simmons also reflected on attending Frehley's funeral while talking to the outlet. 'It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket. It was just heartbreaking.' The singer also referenced to KISS being honored at The Kennedy Center Honors this weekend on Sunday, December 7. '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 – I can't even tell you who's going to come out...really impressive people, just to say how much KISS meant to them.' The Rock And Roll All Nite hitmaker continued, 'What can you say – sad.' Simmons previously got candid about his regrets over Frehley's death during an interview with People last month. Days after the late guitarist's passing, Simmons as well as other original KISS founding members Paul Stanley and Peter Criss reunited to attend a memorial service in late October per an eyewitness; Frehley, Stanley, Criss and Simmons seen in 1975 in L.A. + 12 View gallery Days after the late guitarist's passing, Simmons as well as other original KISS founding members Paul Stanley and Peter Criss reunited to attend a memorial service in late October per an eyewitness; Frehley, Stanley, Criss and Simmons seen in 1975 in L.A. 'It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket. It was just heartbreaking,' Simmons said; Frehley seen in 1975 + 12 View gallery 'It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket. It was just heartbreaking,' Simmons said; Frehley seen in 1975 The singer also referenced to KISS being honored at The Kennedy Center Honors this weekend on Sunday, December 7; Simmons seen far left inside the Oval Office on Saturday in Washington D.C. + 12 View gallery The singer also referenced to KISS being honored at The Kennedy Center Honors this weekend on Sunday, December 7; Simmons seen far left inside the Oval Office on Saturday in Washington D.C. 'If I have any regrets, my hand to God, it's that I sometimes, and I think we all go through this sometimes, wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss] have better lives,' he said. The performer further added that they were 'guilty' of not talking about problems in order to avoid confrontations. 'Let's just continue doing the tour because you want to get through it for selfish reasons because it's working, and the chicks of the money, and you don't want to ruin anything.' Simmons continued, 'Meantime, somebody who might be your brother is ruining their life by bad decisions.' The Detroit Rock City hitmaker also revealed that he regretted not instilling 'more tough love' with those close to him. He explained, 'It's not going to be a popular thing or you're going to argue about it, but in the long run you're going to be helping that person hopefully change their life.' KISS was formed in 1973 in New York City and Frehley - who was also known for inventing the persona called The Spaceman - had been the lead guitarist for the band.