Gene Simmons recently commented on his friendship with late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. He shared an emotional response to an interview in which Frehley reflected on their bond. The statement was shared on X (formerly Twitter).
In a Q104.3 interview before his passing, Frehley had spoken candidly about his relationship with Simmons. He received support from the KISS bassist and frontman.
“So many times I’ve heard him say, ‘I have no friends,’” Frehley recalled. “And he said that, I was doing a Vault Experience with him at Capitol Records in Los Angeles. The next day, I sent him an email and I said, ‘Gene, I’m your friend. Don’t ever say that.’ And he’s kinda taking me under his wing. He took me to Australia with him. He was supposed to go to Japan with me.”
Simmons’ response to Frehley’s heartfelt recollection was brief but poignant.
“Ace. We love him. We miss him,” Simmons wrote.
The exchange underscores the deep connection between the two rock legends. Frehley’s final public words about Simmons highlighted a friendship that transcended the complexities of their shared history in the music industry. While their relationship had its ups and downs over the decades, the mutual respect and affection between them remained evident in their later years.
Despite the well-documented tensions that characterized much of KISS’s history, Frehley maintained meaningful connections with various members of the band and associated musicians. American Songwriter reported that Frehley had developed lasting friendships with drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Bruce Kulick. This demonstrated his ability to forge genuine bonds within the KISS family despite past conflicts.
The guitarist’s willingness to reach out to Simmons with a message of friendship—as recounted in the Q104.3 interview—reflected a broader pattern in Frehley’s later years. Ultimate Guitar noted that Frehley actively worked to challenge misconceptions about his time in KISS that had been perpetuated by Simmons and Paul Stanley. He was intent on setting the record straight about his experiences and relationships within the band.
Frehley’s emphasis on his continued bond with Simmons in his final interviews showcased the enduring nature of their relationship. The difficulties they had experienced together did not erase this connection. The guitarist’s decision to publicly acknowledge Simmons’ vulnerability and his own efforts to support him revealed a maturity and compassion. This transcended the rock and roll drama that had often defined their public personas.
Simmons’ brief but heartfelt response—”Ace. We love him. We miss him”—served as a poignant acknowledgment of Frehley’s passing. It was also a testament to the friendship that had ultimately prevailed over the years of conflict and separation. The moment captured the complexity of long-term relationships in the music industry. Professional disagreements and personal struggles need not erase genuine human connection.
