Gene Simmons discusses his Kiss regrets: “I’m sad in retrospect”
Kiss singer and bassist Gene Simmons has reflected on Ace Frehley and Peter Criss’ time in the band, stating that he should’ve been “more hard” on them in regards to their substance abuse issues.
Alongside Paul Stanley, Simmons co-founded the band with Frehley and Criss in 1973. The shock rockers gained a dedicated following, recognisable for their dramatic face makeup, which marked them out from their contemporaries. Additionally, their performances were unforgettable, often incorporating things like fire and blood into their concerts.
Within just a few years together, the band became massive, but as many musicians discover, the industry is hard to navigate without the use of drugs and alcohol. Frehley and Criss were particularly affected by their substance abuse issues – to the point that Simmons and Stanley had to boot them out of the band.
While they managed to make it through several iterations of Kiss, by the early 2000s, they were informed that their days in the band were over. Criss last played in the band in 2004, with Eric Singer replacing him. Frehley, on the other hand, was kicked out in 2002, with Tommy Thayer taking over his role.
The band embarked on their final tour in 2023, saying farewell to fans with a string of shows. While fans might’ve liked to have seen the band’s original lineup, there was no chance that was going to happen.
Talking to Backstage Pass, Simmons said, “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.”
He 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 labour. But sadly, they’re not.”
Simmons thinks it’s an age-old story for band members, “It’s not even unique. Go to almost every band and you’ll find people ingesting stuff more than the bum on the street corner, except they’re richer and they can afford to ingest more. It’s sad.”
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