Gene Simmons has opened up about his complicated history with Ace Frehley, laying bare the tension, missed chances, and darker moments that defined their decades long relationship in KISS.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Simmons didn’t sugar coat it, the KISS bassist framed Frehley’s story as one fans often misunderstand, especially when it comes to why key members were pushed out (per Alternative Nation).
‘Fans are like kids’
Simmons compared the band dynamic to a fractured family, where the full picture rarely reaches the outside world:
“It’s been up and down for 50 years with Ace. And the fans often would hate me for telling the truth,” Simmons said.
“When the kids are at home and there’s mom and dad and all of a sudden dad gets thrown out of the house, the kids don’t understand… And the fans are like kids. They don’t know.”
According to Simmons, Frehley’s issues with reliability were tied to substance use, which led to missed sessions, late arrivals, and a growing strain within the band.
Missed moments and mounting pressure
Simmons pointed to key moments that tested the band’s limits, including a major Eurovision appearance where Frehley didn’t show:
“We were doing the Eurovision contest… Ace didn’t show up. We had to do it as a trio. It just went on and on and on…”
He also reflected on the early studio days, claiming Frehley failed to show up to record parts during Kiss’s ‘Destroyer’ era.
“If you would’ve met Ace at the beginning… you would’ve fallen in love with the idea… But Ace turned to beverages and chemicals. Early on, he wouldn’t show up…”
Despite that, Simmons acknowledged Frehley’s influence, noting how many guitarists still trace their roots back to his playing.
A difficult exit
One of the more confronting moments Simmons recalled was Frehley’s decision to leave KISS for a solo career, despite being encouraged to stay and balance both.
“I’m leaving the band. I’m gonna have a solo career.”
Simmons said the band tried to convince him otherwise, urging him to keep KISS intact while exploring solo work.
“If I don’t leave the band and if I do another tour, I’m gonna kill myself.”
That statement, Simmons admitted, revealed the deeper struggles Frehley was dealing with at the time.
The bigger picture
KISS has always been larger than life, but behind the makeup, the cracks were real. Simmons’ comments don’t rewrite history, but they do pull focus onto the human cost behind the band’s revolving lineup.
Frehley’s legacy isn’t in question, but the story behind it remains messy, complicated, and far from the version fans usually see.
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