Gene Simmons has claimed that Ace Frehley’s death was caused by ‘bad decisions’ as he opened up about his bandmate’s death.
Ace Frehley, legendary KISS guitarist and co-founder, died in October at the age of 74.
The musician collapsed in his home in Morristown, New Jersey, falling down his stairs and hitting his head, which caused a brain bleed.
The official report in November classified his death as accidental, explaining Frehley sustained a skull fracture at the back of his head, along with a subdural hematoma – a pool of blood between the brain and its outer protective layer – and a stroke.
He died just a few days after his fall on October 16.
In a new interview with New York Post, his bandmate Gene, 76, claimed that his friend’s death may have down to ‘other issues’.
‘He refused [advice] from people that cared about him – including yours truly – to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions,’ said the ageing rocker.
‘Falling down the stairs – I’m not a doctor – doesn’t kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart.
‘The saddest thing – you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately,’ he added.
The star then reflected on Frehley’s funeral, saying that the open casket was ‘heartbreaking’.
‘It breaks my heart. Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket.
‘It was just heartbreaking. Saddest of all perhaps, is that Ace just couldn’t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Centre and listen to – I can’t even tell you who’s going to come out … really impressive people, just to say how much KISS meant to them.
‘What can you say – sad,’ he concluded.
Announcing his death, Frehley’s family said: ‘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 statement provided to Variety continued: ‘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!’
In a joint statement, the remaining Kiss singers, Gene and Paul Stanley, shared: ‘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.’
In his own social media post, Simmons shared, ‘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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