Gene Simmons has recently made several blunt and emotional public comments about Ace Frehley, especially in connection with Frehley’s death at age 74.
Comments on Frehley’s death
- Simmons has said that a series of “bad decisions” and long‑term substance abuse issues contributed to Frehley’s fatal fall down the stairs at his New Jersey home studio, suggesting the accident was not just bad luck but tied to his lifestyle.
- He has also said that “you reap what you sow” in reference to Frehley’s choices, while at the same time calling the situation tragic and expressing that it “breaks his heart.”
Remarks about their relationship
- Simmons has described Frehley as like a brother and has spoken about how painful it was to attend his open‑casket funeral with Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
- In earlier years, Simmons publicly criticized Frehley’s reliability and substance issues and opposed bringing him back for farewell tours, which led Frehley to respond angrily and accuse Simmons of hurting his reputation and career.
