Rock band KISS star Gene Simmons has expressed regret for not intervening to help his former bandmate Ace Frehley when he was battling addiction issues during their time with KISS. Simmons, aged 76, admitted that he should have staged an intervention “decades ago” to address Ace’s struggles. Speaking on a podcast, Simmons acknowledged the missed opportunities to support Ace and emphasized the impact of addiction on not just the individual but also their family and fans.
Gene Simmons reflected on the challenges Ace Frehley faced, noting that despite being a talented musician, Ace struggled significantly after KISS rose to fame. Simmons highlighted the turbulent relationship with Ace over the years, mentioning that Ace’s behavior changed as fame and fortune came in. He also mentioned another original KISS member, Peter Criss, and how both he and Ace had multiple exits and entrances from the band, leaving fans puzzled by their actions.
Simmons shared insights into the dynamics within KISS, mentioning the struggles faced by Ace and Peter Criss with substances and punctuality. He acknowledged the complexities of fame and power, noting the impact it had on each band member. Despite the challenges, Simmons expressed respect for Ace’s musical abilities and the difficulties they all faced during their time together in the band.
