NEED TO KNOW
Gene Simmons is saying sorry after he alleged that former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley’s death may have been caused by “bad decisions.”
Simmons, 76, made headlines over the weekend after he suggested that Frehley’s “lifestyle” contributed to a fall at his New Jersey home, which ultimately caused his Oct. 16 death at age 74.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Simmons apologized, writing on X that he’d re-read his quotes, and understood why they had caused pain.
“On reflection, I was wrong for using the words I used. I humbly apologize,” he wrote. “My hand to God I didn’t intend to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone. Again, I apologize. I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”
The KISS rocker told the New York Post in an interview on Saturday, Dec. 6 that Frehley “refused [advice] from people that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to change his lifestyle.”
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“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 said. “The saddest thing – you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately.”
Frehley got sober in 2006, saying in a 2018 interview that it was his daughter Monique who’d inspired him to do so.
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.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” his family said in a statement announcing his death. “We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
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In his interview with the Post, Simmons said Frehley’s death “breaks my heart,” and described his private funeral as “just heartbreaking.”
KISS was honored at the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, Dec. 7, with Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss all in attendance.
On the red carpet, Stanley and Criss opened up to PEOPLE about carrying on Frehley’s legacy.
“We’ll all carry it forever, because we’re really not together anymore. We’re all separated,” Criss, 79, said.
Stanley, meanwhile, said in a group interview that “the fans carry on his legacy.”
“We are here and simultaneously we can mourn his passing and celebrate our accomplishments. So both things can be true at the same time,” he said. “He’s here in spirit. He was looking very forward to being here and I feel he’s here.”
