Gene Simmons has suggested that “bad decisions” regarding lifestyle contributed to the death of his former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley. The guitarist died at age 74 on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, after a fall at his home. A medical examination ruled his death an accident.
Speaking to the New York Times ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors, where Frehley was posthumously inducted, Simmons said: “He refused [advice] from people that cared about him – including yours truly – to try to change his lifestyle. 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 added: “The saddest thing – you reap what you shall sow unfortunately.”
While a toxicology report has not been released, Frehley stated last year that he had been sober for 18 years. The surviving KISS members paid tribute to him during their first “unmasked” show since retiring from touring on November 15, with Paul Stanley asking the audience to hold up electric candles and remember Frehley.
Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 but left the band in the 1980s due to substance abuse and tensions. He rejoined for a reunion in 1996 and stayed until 2002. A Change.org petition has since been launched to have Frehley awarded honorary astronaut status by NASA, garnering over 3,000 signatures.
