Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are heartbroken over the death of their former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley.
“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” they told Page Six in a statement Thursday.
“He is and will always be a part of KISS’ legacy,” they added, concluding that their thoughts are with Frehley’s estranged wife, Jeanette, his daughter, Monique, and “all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Frehley, passed away today (October 16th) at the age of 74, after sustaining a fall, a couple of weeks ago. Additionally, TMZ, is reporting that Frehley had a brain bleed as a result of the fall. He was reportedly placed on life support, with the family, ultimately, deciding to turn off his ventilator.
Frehley, was expected to join his KISS bandmates, on December 7th, when the band was to receive The Kennedy Center Honor.
15 Responses
Yeah, it’s a shame that those two, and in particular, Paul, couldn’t set aside their ego and bravado for just one more performance with Ace and Peter at the last show. Ace and Peter didn’t even have to be in makeup for all I care. Even just one song, ONE SONG! That’s all the fans wanted. And why wouldn’t you do that for your fans? Why wouldn’t you suck it up to play a song with Ace and Peter as a thank you to them and the fans? Holding grudges is not healthy. Paul has held many grudges against many people for decades. And for the most stupid shit in some cases.
Fact of the matter is none of us are here very long. I understand that rock n roll is a business and that perhaps Ace and Peter at one time or another may have hurt Kiss financially and internally. But we’re talking about multi millionaires here in Paul and Gene. They have been set for life for decades. You just gotta let some stuff go man. It was very nice when Paul appeared in Ace’s Origins album to cover Free’s “Fire & Water.” The song was great and in the video you could feel the magic between those two. I always thought there was a chance after that but sadly it never came to fruition. And for Paul & Gene not to mention Ace and Peter at the final show was pitiful.
I wish no ill will on Paul & Gene. But for what it’s worth, I hope this is a life lesson for both of them. Let go of the grudges. Also, Paul & Gene need to get over whatever they’re holding against Eddie Trunk too. Just stupid.
I’d like to preemptively say that this should NOT be an opportunity to bash Gene and Paul. If they are “devastated” by Ace’s passing, I believe it.
Whatever issues they had between themselves (and at times it seemed like many) and despite all the hurling of grievances and insults at each other in the press, they somehow also managed to periodically show up at each other’s gigs, play on each other’s albums, show up on video, and occasionally even agree to reunite. That tells me that it wasn’t all acrimonious. It’s probably never been as black and white as it appeared in the press. Could they have all treated each other better in life? Yes. Who among us can’t say that about the people in our own lives? These guys knew each other for 50-plus years, so there’s a depth to their relationships that the public will never understand fully.
So let’s maybe give Gene and especially Paul a break on this one…
Well said RTunes.
I hope with Ace’s passing, the remaining original members get together and stop whatever nonsense is still between them. Life is too short.
I am sure Paul and Gene are devastated. Some of us are life long Kiss fans. I had the originals album. Only older Kiss fans know what that is. If Ace had a Sharon Osborne I think thing would of been a lot different! I always said Ace was the heart of Kiss. He wasn’t just a guitar player. He was a very special guitar player with a gift!! I have been jamming that Rock Soldiers cd today. Tomorrow Spaceman!
Let’s not forget Peter Criss and what he’s feeling. Must be hurtin’ in the name of such a close mate and perpetual brother in solidarity. Rock Soldier is right!! @ Doug R. \m/ \m/
It was back in the summer of ’83
There’s a reason I remember it well
I was slipping and sliding, drinkin’ and drivin’
Bringin’ me closer to Hell
And the Devil sat in the passenger’s side
Of Delorean’s automobile
He said: Hey Frehley, Frehley let’s not be silly
There’s a life out there to steal
Rock soldiers come
And rock soldiers go
And some hear the drum
And some never know
Rock soldiers! How do we know?
Ace is back and he told you so.
With a trooper in the mirror
and Satan on my right
We went the wrong way down a one way road
Hitting everything in sight
I cried “I am invincible”
Said I was high above the law
But my only high was just a lie
And now I’m glad I saw
Peter’s statement made Gene and Paul’s look forced.
People grieve differently – especially when Peter was with Ace and Gene and Paul were in CA, with Gene recuperating himself.
It felt more like a press release – but Paul has a great pic of him and Ace on IG with a nice caption