Gene Simmons recently reflected on his regrets concerning his former bandmates, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, during his speech at the KISS Kruise in Las Vegas. His comments were reported on People Magazine.
Simmons expressed his wish that he and the band had done more to support Ace Frehley and Peter Criss during difficult periods in their lives. He acknowledged the tension between personal ambitions and responsibility to those close to him.
“If I have any regrets, my hand to God, it’s that I sometimes — and I think we all go through this sometimes — wish we were smarter and better at trying to help Ace and Peter have better lives,” Simmons said. “Let’s just continue doing the tour because you want to get through it for selfish reasons because it’s working, and the chicks, and the money, and you don’t want to ruin anything. Meantime, somebody who might be your brother is ruining their life by bad decisions.”
Simmons emphasized the importance of tough love in relationships. He argued that difficult conversations can ultimately help people improve their circumstances.
“Tough love is a good idea in my opinion, with your children, with the people you love, with the people you care about, with the people you work with,” he continued. “It’s not going to be a popular thing or you’re going to argue about it, but in the long run you’re going to be helping that person hopefully change their life.”
Simmons’ recent reflections reveal a deeper regret about how the legendary rock band handled the personal crises of two of its founding members. His comments shed light on a longstanding tension within the band regarding how to balance commercial success with personal responsibility to bandmates facing serious challenges.
Louder Sound reported that Gene Simmons wishes he had practiced more “tough love” and been harder on both Frehley and Criss. He believes this approach might have helped them overcome their substance abuse struggles and remain with the band longer. This candid admission suggests that Simmons now views his approach during those years as potentially counterproductive to helping his bandmates.
The struggles of Frehley and Criss were significant enough to impact KISS’s lineup multiple times. Loaded Radio noted that despite Simmons’ regrets, both Frehley and Criss bear responsibility for their actions. Their substance abuse issues led to them being let go from the band on multiple occasions. This complex dynamic highlights the difficult position the band faced in managing both their career and their concern for their members’ wellbeing.
What makes Simmons’ reflection particularly poignant is his acknowledgment of what the band lost. Metal Addicts reported that Simmons recognizes Frehley and Criss were fundamental to KISS’s chemistry and success from the very beginning. It is sad that they were not part of the band’s final years to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This sentiment underscores the human cost of the band’s commercial success and the missed opportunities for reconciliation and support.
Simmons’ recent comments represent a moment of introspection for the rock icon. He views the situation with both sadness and a recognition that the band could have handled their former members’ struggles more effectively. His willingness to publicly acknowledge these regrets demonstrates a shift in perspective about what truly matters in the context of long-term relationships and shared history.
