In a new interview with Michael Moynihan of The Moynihan Report, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was asked how much of all the problems he and guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley had with the other original members of the band, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, were “money based”.
Simmons responded (as transcribed by blabbermouth.net), “It was not money based. It was drugs and alcohol, sadly. Not with Paul or myself. And we love them, and without Ace and Peter, we wouldn’t be here.”
Reflecting on Frehely‘s decision to leave the band three separate times and his eventual death, the bassist said, “It’s so hard for the fans. It’s heartbreaking. Ace had a massive influence on guitar players — Dimebag Darrell [of Pantera], Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Metallica…just everybody across the line. But not everybody’s designed in their DNA to run a marathon. Some people just, short race, and they can do well for that, but they can’t do it.
“Ace told me to my face when he was leaving the band, ‘I’m gonna have a solo career ’cause if I go out on tour again, I’m gonna kill myself.’ Yeah, he just… The psychological pressures affects different people in different ways,” Simmons explained. “I have no problem with anything. I’m voraciously ambitious and love the attention and the money and the fame and like all that stuff, but it doesn’t affect everybody the same way…”
…He added, “When Ace came back the third time, it was very serious drug use. The stuff that makes you… I don’t wanna mention the name, ’cause it’s so depressing. And his daughter was affected and all that stuff. Breaks our hearts. When we got the Kennedy Center Honors, at least Ace found out from the White House that KISS won. And sadly, he passed. But when we got the Kennedy Center Honors, there was an empty chair beside us in honor of Ace. Ace‘s daughter, Monique, was there to honor her father.”
On the topic of his current relationship with Criss, Simmons replied, “When we’re with each other, it’s great. As you go apart… Ah, it’s tough for me to be honest and stuff. Peter‘s always considered himself a victim: ‘They ganged up on me, and look what they did to me,’ and stuff like that. Instead of, if you’re really cured and everything, you look in the mirror and said, ‘It’s my fault. I used. I didn’t do my work, and I was complaining,’ instead of being grateful to be in one of the largest bands that has ever existed.”
Asked if Criss still makes money from KISS, Simmons stated, “Very little. We bought him out — in 1982.” Simmons went on to clarify that both he, and Stanley acquired Frehley‘s ownership stake in KISS as well, which means that all the other members of KISS essentially became salaried employees from that day forward.
“All groups of people are a business,” he explained. “Money’s gotta come from someplace. Life is business. People don’t like that.”
Asked if he has a good relationship with Stanley, he answered, “Always had. That doesn’t mean you agree. I like to make this reference point that intrinsically, in our DNA, we share deep moral and philosophical ideas about life. So we share this kind of thing, but also the work ethic. No drugs, no alcohol. I’ve never been high or drunk in my life. No cigarettes. As it happens, we just share those ideas when this rock and roll world is filled with f–king losers.”
Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he’s worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.
In addition to playing drums in KISS, Criss also provided lead vocals for a number the band’s most popular and memorable songs, including Beth, Black Diamond and Hard Luck Woman.
Criss last appeared onstage with all three other original members of KISS when the group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014, though he and his former bandmates didn’t perform at the event.
Criss and the other two surviving original members of KISS — Stanley and Simmons — received aKennedy Center Honor at a December 7th, 2025 ceremony.
Frehley died on October 16th, 2025 after a fall at his New Jersey home. He was 74 years old. His cause of death was listed as blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, according to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner. The manner of his death was ruled an accident.
24 Responses
I just don’t understand why every single person that interviews Gene or Paul brings up the relationship with Ace & Peter. And even worse, why Gene and Paul continue to talk about the drugs and alcohol. If I were Gene or Paul, I would make every interviewer sign a contract that says no discussion or question about Ace and Peter’s drug or alcohol usage. Why continue to do this? Makes no sense. And all it does is irritate the fans. We know the story. Ace is dead. Peter is alive and well. Just let them be.
No interviewer is asking Gene/Paul about music.
The 2 biggest hypocrites of all time! Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley! Neverending condemning drinking, smoking, etc., but yet made a fortune writing and singing about drinking and smoking! Remember “Detroit Rock City?” – First I drink, then I smoke! Really?!?! Oh no not you 2, you 2 are perfect! Like Gene has never been addicted to anything, say maybe I don’t know, sex and money?? Whatever! Hey Gene, ENOUGH ALREADY!! We all know the story, let Ace rest in peace and just leave Peter alone already!
Look, I don’t have a dog in this fight, and while I find Simmons to be highly arrogant and redundant, he is being asked these questions.
Yes, he probably should say, “I have answered these inquiries ad nauseam over decades, and my responses, until further notice, will always be the same.” But he doesn’t, and he clearly has a very strong stance with addiction, as does Ted Nugent.
As for being hypocrites, what else is new? That seems to be the case for 99.9% of those in the public eye. I personally find celebrities who are sanctimonious and pompous about living clean lives and then you find out they are addicts, criminals and perverts are far worse than someone like Simmons who just sings about it, but actually lives a clean and proper life. But, that’s just me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The problem with Gene is that he demonizes (no pun intended) everybody who drinks, just because you drink does NOT make you an alcoholic! How many times have I said even Jesus drank some wine from time to time! The difference between Gene and Ted is at least Ted doesn’t condemn people who drink (casually) or call them names, drinking is legal, it is perfectly fine as long as just like everything else in life you don’t over do it!
Doug,
Not true, watch his Spirit Campfire show. Nugent has been critical of those who drink causally, on a regular basis, because he made the point that it is easy for everyday casual drinking to lead to addiction, as alcohol is so readily available.
Ozzy even noted that quitting drinking, and smoking cigarettes (not weed, tobacco), was the hardest substances to kick, because they are so easy to acquire and socially acceptable. Therefore, it is easy to imbibe, even a little everyday, and then the body needs more.
I guess, it all depends on one’s will power and DNA. If you know you have an addictive gene in your family, then maybe it is best not to even tempt fate? Perhaps, that is how Simmons et al should phrase it?
But, I can also understand, losing one’s patience, when one sees someone constantly falling back into the same destructive behavior patterns. It’s like watching someone walking into a wall over and over and over…You get the point, where it becomes frustrating to witness, and when it starts to directly affect your way of life, your job, etc. then having compassion and empathy, starts to go out the window.
At the end of the day, I think Simmons should table discussing this topic, as it has become an addiction for him. He has made his point and he should move on. But, I guess when he is constantly asked, it brings up old feelings? No excuse, just my gut feeling.
Ted is still not as bad as Gene, he’s not demonizing people for drinking every single time someone sticks a microphone in his face! Not everybody who drinks casually turns into or becomes an alcoholic! If that were the case half the world would be alcoholics! Jeez, my husband and I drink 2-3 times a week, and when I say drink I don’t mean falling down drunk, belligerent, judgement impaired, etc., we never get like that and we never get drunk! We’re in our 60’s now for God’s sake! We both have steady jobs (45 years and counting) and are as responsible as you can be! So my point is once again there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking – done right and responsible! Know your limit, never drink in the heat or else you’ll totally dehydrate, and watch what you eat when you drink! Never mix, and don’t mix beer with ice cream otherwise you’ll have the biggest brain freeze headache of your life! Lol! Now, I need to get back to work, cheers everybody! Have A Drink On Me! 😉
Got it, but dealing with addicts clearly left a bad taste on his tongue.
Gene $immon$ was asked about money based problems with Ace and Peter. Why does Gene need to AGAIN bring up their drug and alcohol struggles in his answers? I’m tired of Gene’s continual criticism of Ace and Peter’s drug/alcohol use. Gene thinks there is no such thing as bad publicity….well, he’s wrong. This kind of publicity makes Gene look like an a$$hole.
Rattle,
Because I can only ASSume that he blames those addictions on all money loses, for both Frehley and Criss personally, as well as, any accrued by the band.
He is also trying to explain that the addictions led to poor decision making, which is highly likely why both Frehley and Criss sold away their rights to their images, makeup, etc. He isn’t wrong, but it is the same dance around room.
what gets me is he’s talking about rock stars from the 1970’s….lol…
anything to deflect from the fact that he made The Elder completely sober… ….Ace is the messed up one, huh? lol…