Grieving Gene Simmons reveals regrets over Ace Frehley after his death
Gene Simmons got candid about his regrets over former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley just one month after the late star's shock death. The late guitarist - who was one of the original members of the famed rock group - passed away at the age of 74 on October 16 when his family took him off of life support following his hospitalization. Earlier this month, his cause of death was revealed to be from blunt force trauma to the head after a fall - and classified as an accident. Simmons was one of the founding members of KISS along with Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. 'If I have any regrets, my hand to God, it's that I sometimes, and I think we all go through this sometimes, wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss] have better lives,' the singer said at KISS Kruise in Las Vegas over the past weekend, per People. The performer further added that they were 'guilty' of not talking about problems in order to avoid confrontations. Gene Simmons got candid about his regrets over former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley just one month after the late star's shock death; Simmons seen in 2019 in L.A. The late guitarist - who was one of the original members of the famed rock group - passed away at the age of 74 on October 16 when his family took him off of life support following his hospitalization; Frehley seen in 2018 in NYC 'Let's just continue doing the tour because you want to get through it for selfish reasons because it's working, and the chicks of the money, and you don't want to ruin anything.' Simmons continued, 'Meantime, somebody who might be your brother is ruining their life by bad decisions.'The Detroit Rock City hitmaker also revealed that he regretted not instilling 'more tough love' with those close to him. He explained, 'It's not going to be a popular thing or you're going to argue about it, but in the long run you're going to be helping that person hopefully change their life.'Simmons recalled using the tactic of 'tough love' to help his mother quit smoking cigarettes. KISS was formed in 1973 in New York City with Criss leaving the band seven years later. He reunited with the group from 1995 through 2000. He would later return in 2003 but officially departed the following year. Frehley had been the lead guitarist for the band and was also known for inventing the persona called The Spaceman.He performed with the group until he left in 1982 and proceeded to form his own band Frehley's Comet. 'If I have any regrets, my hand to God, it's that I sometimes, and I think we all go through this sometimes, wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss] have better lives,' the singer said at KISS Kruise in Las Vegas over the past weekend, per People; the original KISS members seen in 1979 He explained, 'It's not going to be a popular thing or you're going to argue about it, but in the long run you're going to be helping that person hopefully change their life'; Simmons and Frehley seen in 1999 Frehley had been the lead guitarist for the band and was also known for inventing the persona called The Spaceman; seen in 2018 Frehley later joined KISS once again in 1996 for a reunion tour but would depart from the rock band in 2002. Simmons and Stanley were left 'devastated' over Frehley's death as they led emotional tributes to the late rock legend last month.The pair issued a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter after the shock news of his passing.'I am 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 added, 'He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy. My thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.' Days after the late guitarist's passing, Simmons, Stanley and Criss reunited to attend a memorial service in late October per an eyewitness. The intimate celebration of life was held in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City - where Frehley had been born. The late music artist had reportedly collapsed in his home studio a few weeks before his death and hit his head due to a fall, per TMZ. Simmons and Stanley were left 'devastated' over Frehley's death as they led emotional tributes to the late rock legend last month; the pair seen in 2014 in Century City Days after the late guitarist's passing, Simmons, Stanley and Criss reunited to attend a memorial service in late October per an eyewitness; the band seen in 1975 in L.A. Frehley's family issued a statement obtained by Rolling Stone saying they 'are completely devastated and heartbroken' by his passing, but relieved they were able to provide him with comfortable conditions at the end.'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 loved ones added.Frehley's family honored the musician's legacy as well as 'his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.'They continued: '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!'The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office in New Jersey ruled Frehley's death was due to blunt force trauma to the head after a fall. Accoridng to the full medical examiner's report obtained by the Daily Mail, the late star sustained a number of injuries including a fracture to the back of his skull and a large left subdural hematoma. Frehley had also suffered from a left temporal bone fracture as well as a stroke. The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office in New Jersey ruled Frehley's death was due to blunt force trauma to the head after a fall; late star seen in 1975 KISS is known for a number of hits such as Rock And Roll All Nite, I Was Made For Lovin' You and Detroit Rock City. Amid his own solo career, Frehley released eight studio albums including Trouble Walkin' (1989), Space Invader (2014) and Origins Vol. 2 (2020). Over the past weekend in Las Vegas, the iconic rock band reunited for the three-day KISS Kruise: Landlocked event. It was the also the first time the group performed since Frehley's death one month earlier. At one point, Stanley told the audience on Friday: 'Obviously, before we get going, and we're going to have an awesome time, we just wanted to take a moment to think about somebody who was at the foundation of this band, and we're talking about Ace. Over the past weekend in Las Vegas, the iconic rock band reunited for the three-day KISS Kruise: Landlocked event; Simmons and Stanley seen in 2023 in NYC 'We certainly had differences, but that's what family is about.' Simmons as well as Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer 'only briefly' brought up their former bandmate once again on stage the following day, per People. Thayer was also seen lifting one of his hands towards the sky before playing a guitar solo. Fans of the late guitarist could be heard erupting into chants of 'Ace, Ace, Ace' during the concert on Saturday.
