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KISS' Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons "Devastated" by Ace Frehley's Passing
Music

KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons “Devastated” by Ace Frehley’s Passing

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have shared a statement on the passing of fellow KISS co-founder Ace Frehley, who died Thursday at the age of 74 after suffering a brain bleed following a recent fall at his studio.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” stated Stanley and Simmons in a joint statement provided to Consequence. “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’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Separately, Simmons wrote on X/Twitter, “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”

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In the years since Frehley left KISS for good in 2002, the relationship between him and his former bandmates was contentious at times, but, as evidenced by their statements, Stanley and Simmons both held the guitarist’s legacy in the band in high regard.

Fellow KISS co-founder Peter Criss also paid tribute to Frehley, writing on X/Twitter, “I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you!” Numerous tributes have also poured in from other musicians, including Tom Morello, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, and more.

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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley lead tributes
Music

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley lead tributes

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Iconic KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has died, aged 74.

According to a statement shared by his family, Ace – also known as Spaceman – died “peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall at his home”. An exact cause of death has yet to be shared.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s family wrote in the statement. “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. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. 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!”

Frehley’s former bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley shared the following statement to Page Six: “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’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, he co-founded KISS in 1973 with singer Paul Stanley, bassist and part-time singer Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. The members’ identities were famously kept secret until a decade after their debut, by which Frehley had left the band to pursue a solo career, coupled with his struggles with substance abuse and rising tension within the band about their direction.

In the years following his exit from KISS, Frehley formed a new band, Frehley’s Comet. The band released two albums, both of which failed to achieve commercial success. He reverted to using his own name for this 1989 album ‘Trouble Walkin”, which saw former bandmate Peter Criss provide backing vocals.

Frehley would rejoin KISS for their reunion in 1996 and stayed with them until 2002. He did not join them for their farewell world tour in 2022. Frehley and Simmons had a notably rocky relationship, with Simmons in 2019 claiming that Frehley was fired from the band for his substance abuse, while Ace argued that he was 12 years sober by then and quit “of my own free will, because you and Paul [Stanley] are control freaks, untrustworthy and were too difficult to work with”.

Among the songs Ace helped write for KISS were classics like ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’, ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’, ‘Detroit Rock City’, ‘Love Gun’ and more.

Earlier this month, Frehley cancelled his remaining solo dates for 2025 due to “some ongoing medical issues,” which has since been confirmed as the fall he suffered.

Other rock and music icons have paid tribute to the late Ace “Spaceman” Frehley since the tragic news of his death. Simmons wrote in a standalone post on X: “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”

Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready paid tribute on behalf of the band, where he credited Frehley for inspiring him to pick up the guitar.

Tool’s Maynard Keenan James shared a picture of himself as a child, sporting Ace’s iconic face paint. See more tributes below.

We are so very sad to hear the passing of Ace Frehley 💔 Our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and all who…

Posted by Go-Go’s on Thursday, October 16, 2025

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Anthrax's Charlie Benante Marries Carla Harvey in Wedding Officiated by Gene Simmons
Music

Anthrax’s Charlie Benante Marries Carla Harvey in Wedding Officiated by Gene Simmons

by jummy84
written by jummy84

In a rock wedding for the ages, drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera) married singer Carla Harvey (The Violent Hour, Lords of Acid, ex-Butcher Babies) over the weekend in a ceremony officiated by none other than KISS legend Gene Simmons.

The couple tied the knot on Sunday, October 12th, at The Secret Garden in Las Vegas, with many of their fellow rockers in attendance, including members of Anthrax, Pantera, Mötley Crüe, Dream Theater, and Nickelback, according to People, which published exclusive photos from the nuptials.

Simmons, thankfully, recovered from his recent car crash in time to officiate the wedding, with Benante describing the reception as “an elegant Russ Meyer movie with a rock and roll twist.”

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The thrash drummer added, “The initial idea was a small, intimate wedding with just a few friends and family, but we knew that we would not be able to get away with a small wedding once other friends heard about it. We just want our closest in a room together celebrating.”

The couple became engaged when Benante proposed to Harvey while the two attended one of U2’s January 2024 concerts at Las Vegas’ sphere. They had been dating for several years leading up to the engagement.

In a nod to their engagement, Benante and Harvey’s first dance was to U2’s “All I Want Is You.” Later on in the ceremony, Benante took part in a jam session that featured Anthrax bandmates Scott Ian and Frank Bello, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Zach Throne (Jerry Cantrell’s band), and Chris Jericho (Fozzy).

As for a honeymoon, Benante told People that the couple are busy in their music endeavors. The pair are already working on a follow-up to their project The Violent Hour’s debut EP, and the drummer is also putting the finishing touches on a new Anthrax album.

“We are finishing the second EP for Carla’s band, The Violent Hour, and we will be releasing an Anthrax album shortly, so we will be getting right back to work after the wedding,” revealed Benante.

See one photo from the wedding in the tweet below, and more pics over at People.com.

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KISS' Gene Simmons Hospitalized After Car Crash: His Statement
Music

KISS’ Gene Simmons Hospitalized After Car Crash: His Statement

by jummy84
written by jummy84

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was hospitalized Tuesday after a car crash in Malibu, California, NBC4 Los Angeles was the first to report.

Simmons’ wife Shannon Tweed let NBC4 know that the rocker was recovering at home, while a rep for KISS told Billboard on Wednesday (Oct. 8) that Simmons is “already back to work.”

Also on Wednesday, Simmons sent a message to fans through his X account thanking everyone for “the kind wishes” and assuring, “I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us [who are] horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.”

According to the NBC4 report, the crash was reported to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department just before 1 p.m. PT when Simmons’ Lincoln Navigator reportedly crashed into a parked car on Pacific Coast Highway. He told deputies on the scene that he had either fainted or passed out before the crash, according to the L.A. Sheriff.

Next month, Simmons and KISS are set to perform together for the first time since December 2023, when they wrapped up their End of The Road Tour with a two-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The band announced in March that they would reunite as part of the three-day KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas event, which runs Nov. 14-16 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The event promises two makeup-free KISS Unmasked shows — one acoustic and one electric — plus activities with Simmons, founding frontman Paul Stanley and 2002-23 guitarist/vocalist Tommy Thayer.

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KISS Legend Gene Simmons Involved in Multi-Car Accident After Fainting
Music

KISS Legend Gene Simmons Involved in Multi-Car Accident After Fainting

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Gene Simmons almost nearly had his own “Detroit Rock City” moment after the KISS singer-bassist was involved in a car accident on Tuesday afternoon.

As Los Angeles’ NBC4 reports, Simmons, 76, was driving his Lincoln Navigator on the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu when he veered across several lines of traffic. Simmons’ SUV finally came to a stop when he struck a parked car.

Simmons was reportedly communicative at the scene, telling EMTs and first responders that he fainted. His wife, Shannon Tweed, told TMZ that he is on a new medication that could worsen dehydration, and that he often doesn’t drink enough water. No other injuries were reported.

Simmons was sent to a local hospital per protocol, but was discharged that same day. He went as far as to leave NBC4 a voicemail indicating that he was recuperating nicely at home. Ah, to be the intern who got to hear that message before anyone else.

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We here at Consequence wish the recent Kennedy Center honoree a speedy recovery. In the meantime, revisit his interview with Kyle Meredith from this past May, where Simmons talks about the “death” of rock ‘n’ roll, playing in Las Vegas, and the oddly confusing nature of Broadway productions.

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KISS' Gene Simmons recovering following Malibu car crash: "All is well"
Music

KISS’ Gene Simmons recovering following Malibu car crash: “All is well”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

KISS‘ Gene Simmons is recovering at home after crashing his car in Malibu – find out more below.

Per NBC 4 Los Angeles, the accident occured on Tuesday (October 7), around 1pm local time. While an exact cause has yet to deciphered, Simmons has reportedly told authorities that he had fainted or passed out while behind the wheel.

Simmons’ wife Shannon Tweed reportedly added that the car travelled through several lanes of traffic before crashing into a parked vehicle. Following the accident, Simmons was transported to a hospital for a check-up and brief hospitalisation, before being set home to recover.

Tweed also alleges that the accident could have been caused by a recent change in the KISS bassist and singer’s medication. Simmons has since taken to social media to share an update with fans: “Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us who’re horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.”

Gene Simmons isn’t the only KISS member to face a medical setback in recent times. Guitarist Ace Frehley has cancelled his remaining solo dates for 2025 due to “some onging medical issues,” he confirmed earlier this week.

In other news, KISS have confirmed plans for an “unmasked” show in Las Vegas later this November. It will mark the band’s first performance since their 2023 farewell tour. According to an email sent out to fans, the concert also promises “a special live performance from former KISS member Bruce Kulick, along with other special guests, activities, exclusive experiences and more.”

Then in December, the rock band will accept the Kennedy Centre Honor from President Donald Trump. KISS are among the list of honorees selected by the Trump administration this year, with others including Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, country star George Strait and stage and sitcom actor Michael Crawford.

The prize is awarded to figures in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture, and Trump will personally host this year’s event on December 7.

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