Why did Ace Frehley leave KISS? Gene Simmons feud and more explored as bandmates pay tribute to the late rocker

American musician Ace Frehley died in Morristown, New Jersey, on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74. The KISS rock band member died from a brain bleed and other related injuries he suffered from a fall at his home studio in late September, as per a report released by his family.

In the wake of his death, his bandmates paid tribute to him. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons shared a statement with Variety, which read:

“We are 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. He is and will always be a part of KISS’ legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Stanley also shared a memory with Frehley from their early days, along with his “favorite photo” of them on X. Likewise, another KISS founding member and drummer, Peter Criss, took to X and shared a photo of Frehley and wrote:

“I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you! #KissArmy #AceFrehley #Kiss #Spaceman.”

Ace Frehley, along with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss, founded KISS in New York City in 1973. However, in 1982, the late rocker left the band due to creative differences and pursued a solo career, according to The Mirror. Frehley rejoined in 1996, only to exit again in 2002, due to his feud with Simmons and Stanley.

In January 2019, Ace Frehley shared in a Facebook message that he quit the band twice of his “own free will” because Gene and Paul were “control freaks, untrustworthy,” and “too difficult to work with.”

---

More about Ace Frehley’s feud with Gene Simmons and other KISS bandmates

In early 2019, Gene Simmons sat for an interview with Guitar World and shared that he was sceptical about asking Ace Frehley and Peter Criss to join them on the KISS band’s reunion tour, End of the Road.

“Ace and Peter have gotten three chances. They were in and out of the band – fired – three times. For drugs, alcohol, bad behavior, being unprofessional… they weren’t carrying their load…” Simmons said at the time.

The vocalist and bass guitarist also mentioned that the band didn’t mind if they joined them “here and there” or jumped up onstage for a “song or two.” However, they would never be part of KISS again.

The comment did not sit well with Ace Frehley, who took to Facebook and posted a lengthy response. He wrote that Gene’s memory was “incorrect” and he was “never fired from KISS.” Instead, he quit twice because of the hostile work environment and lack of trust.

“Your slanderous remarks about my bad habits over the years have cost me millions of dollars, and now that I’m over 12 years sober, you’re still saying I can’t be trusted to play a whole night’s show! Well, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last 12 years with different configurations of The Ace Frehley Band to you and Paul’s dismay,” the message continued.

Frehley claimed he was the “most successful solo artist” to come out of KISS’ original lineup and was “proud” of himself. He also accused Simmons and Stanley of trying unsuccessfully to “derail my solo career” over the years.

The late guitarist mentioned that he tried to be “nice and friendly” to his former bandmates and invited them to collaborate on his solo albums, and offered them gifts. Ace Frehley also claimed that Gene Simmons was an “a**hole and a s*x addict” who had multiple lawsuits against him, with female victims accusing him of misconduct.

He also accused Simmons of going behind his back and allegedly gr*ping his wife, Jeanette, at the Capitol Records building in Los Angeles. While Mrs Frehley wanted to sue Gene, Ace claimed he shut it down.

“Well, now the gloves are off after your terrible comments today… without a complete and heartfelt apology, an offer to give me my old job back… THIS SH*T WILL HIT FANS…” Ace concluded.

During his 2023 appearance on Howard Stern’s show, Paul Stanley stated that the KISS original lineup sounded more like “Piss.” Responding to the same in a 2024 interview with Classic Rock, Ace Frehley shared that the remark made him angry and that he felt insulted.

“I called him out on it. I said: ‘I demand an apology.’ He called me up and said, ‘F**k you, Ace, I’m not giving you an apology,’ and hung up. Prior to that, Paul and I would talk on the phone three or four times a year,” he told the outlet.

However, the Spaceman crooner claimed that he and Gene Simmons had buried the hatchet. He recalled speaking to the latter in April 2023 and shared he was “closest” to him and was “just like brothers.” The Frehley’s Comet founder added:

“I consider myself friends. We’re just like brothers. Brothers have arguments, brothers have misunderstandings, they curse each other out, and then they make up.”

However, Gene Simmons appeared to be unmoved. During a conversation with Backstage Pass in June last year, he stated:

"Well, I'm sad in retrospect — you know, hindsight's 20/20 — I'm sad that I wasn't more hard on Ace and Peter, the two original guys who played guitar and drums in the band."

Simmons added, “Ace and Peter… have as much credit for the beginning of the band as Paul and I do. There's no question it was that chemistry. And they both had unique voices, unique personalities and all that. And they should have been here with us 50 or 55 years later and enjoying the fruits of their labor. But sadly, they're not.”

He also reiterated his 2019 sentiments and shared that the fallout was “their own doing,” alluding to their respective addiction.

While Ace Frehley departed for the final time in 2002, Peter Criss left in 2004, seemingly over a contract dispute. Since then, KISS has comprised Simmons, Stanley, drummer Eric Singer, and guitarist Tommy Thayer.

---

According to Rolling Stone, Simmons co-wrote Frehley's 2018 single Without You I'm Nothing and also played guitar for his studio album, Spaceman. Gene also collaborated on Ace's LP, Your Wish is My Command.

Meanwhile, Stanley appeared on the cover of the 2015 Frehley album, Origins, Vol. 1, and lent his vocals to the track, Fire and Water.