Gene Simmons recently said that Ace Frehley’s death was the result of years of “bad decisions,” mainly referring to lifestyle choices and long‑running substance issues, and then publicly apologized after backlash from fans and media. He later clarified that he did not intend to hurt Ace or damage his legacy and emphasized that he had always loved him.

What Gene Simmons Said

  • In a December 2025 interview, Simmons talked about Ace’s death at 74 and said the guitarist had made “bad decisions” over the years that he believed contributed to the accident that killed him.
  • He pointed to Frehley’s long history of substance abuse and a “lifestyle” that ignored advice from people who cared about him, including Simmons himself.
  • Simmons linked these choices to the fatal fall in Ace’s home studio, saying the most tragic part was that “you reap what you shall sow.”

How He Walked It Back

  • After a strong backlash from KISS fans and broader rock media, Simmons posted an apology on X on December 10, 2025.
  • He wrote that he was “wrong for using the words” he used, that he didn’t intend to hurt Ace or his legacy, and ended with: “I’ve always loved Ace. Always.”

Context: Ace Frehley’s Death

  • Ace Frehley died on October 16 at age 74; an autopsy found he died from blunt force trauma to the head after a fall at home, with toxicology still under review at the time.
  • Simmons described attending Ace’s open‑casket funeral with Paul Stanley and Peter Criss as “heartbreaking” and said the whole situation “breaks my heart,” even while criticizing Ace’s past choices.

Fan and Forum Reactions

  • Many fans felt Simmons was unfairly blaming Ace and using “bad decisions” as a shield from facing his own mortality, noting that falls can kill anyone in their 70s.
  • Others argued Simmons has always been blunt about addiction and viewed his comments as harsh but consistent with how he talks about self‑destructive behavior.

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