Gene Simmons Expresses Regret Over Lack of Support for Ace Frehley and Peter Criss During Their Struggles

During a recent appearance on the KISS Kruise in Las Vegas, Gene Simmons spoke candidly about the lingering regrets he carries regarding his former bandmates Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. His reflections, first reported by People, revealed a more introspective side of the famously hard-edged bassist.

Simmons admitted that he wishes he and the band had done more to support Frehley and Criss through the most turbulent periods of their lives. The challenge, he said, was reconciling the band’s relentless ambition with their responsibility to one another.

“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.”

Tough Love and Missed Opportunities

Throughout his remarks, Simmons emphasized the role of tough love, both in families and in creative partnerships. He argued that while difficult conversations may create friction, they can ultimately serve as a lifeline.

“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.”

Louder Sound noted that Simmons now wishes he had been more forceful with Frehley and Criss during their battles with substance abuse. He believes a firmer stance might have helped them overcome their struggles and remain in the band longer—an admission that suggests he views his previous approach as too hands-off.

According to Loaded Radio, the turmoil surrounding Frehley and Criss repeatedly disrupted KISS’s lineup. Although Simmons expressed regret, both musicians also held responsibility for the behavior that led to their departures. The tension between compassion and the demands of a world-famous rock act created a difficult dynamic that the band never fully resolved.

What the Band Lost

What resonated most in Simmons’ remarks was his acknowledgment of what KISS missed out on. As Metal Addicts reported, Simmons recognized that Frehley and Criss were essential to the band’s chemistry and early success. Their absence from KISS’s later years, he suggested, left a void that could never be fully filled.

He expressed sadness that the original lineup could not share in the band’s final triumphs, despite the legacy they helped shape.

Simmons’ comments mark a rare moment of vulnerability from a figure known for his bravado. Looking back with equal parts regret and maturity, he suggested that the band could have handled its internal crises more thoughtfully. His willingness to speak openly about these missteps hints at a deeper recalibration of what matters most after decades spent at the height of rock stardom.