Gene Simmons is facing criticism from KISS fans following a tribute post to bandmate Ace Frehley, as reported on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy stems from Simmons’ caption accompanying a photo of him hugging Frehley, where he expressed sentiments about their relationship.
“Family is forever. Ace and I,” Simmons wrote in the caption.
However, the post drew sharp responses from fans who questioned the sincerity of the tribute given the band’s history.
One KISS fan challenged Simmons directly in the comments. “Family? You talked shit about him right up till the end. You never let him forget he was an alcoholic,” the fan wrote. “You and Paul never stopped bringing up his faults to keep him down. If that’s how you treat family, I would hate to see how you treat your enemies.”
Another fan referenced KISS’s final performances and suggested regret over past decisions. “Bet you regret not having them play your last show now. Money isn’t everything…I hope you are learning this,” they commented.
A third fan echoed similar sentiments. “You totally screwed Ace over and showed him no respect for years, now he’s ‘family’?” they questioned.
The fan reactions reflect a long and complicated history between Simmons and Frehley that dates back to the band’s earliest days.
Guitar World reported that the relationship between Frehley and Simmons has been notoriously rocky since their 1973 audition, which nearly turned physical due to clashes between the two musicians. Despite the tension, Frehley ultimately secured his place in KISS and became one of the band’s most iconic members.
The dynamics between the bandmates have remained complex over the decades. Grunge noted that while there have been moments of reconciliation—including joint acoustic performances as recently as 2018—Frehley has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with how he was treated by Simmons and other bandmates during those events.
These tensions have persisted through various reunions and farewell tours. American Songwriter revealed that Frehley has opened up about his relationships with former KISS members, revealing the ongoing challenges in maintaining connections with his former bandmates despite their shared history.
The backlash to Simmons’ recent tribute underscores how fans perceive these complex dynamics. Many are questioning whether the public display of affection aligns with the documented history of conflict and criticism between the two rock legends.
