Paul Stanley Pushes Back on the Narrative Around Who Built KISS

Paul Stanley recently spoke about KISS being named 2025 Kennedy Center honorees, highlighting the band’s enduring legacy and the contributions of its original members. In a statement shared on CBS Mornings, Stanley reflected on the importance of the group’s foundation, particularly acknowledging the absence of late guitarist Ace Frehley.

“You can’t build something without a strong foundation. And Ace and Peter [Criss, original KISS drummer] and Gene and I are that foundation,” Stanley said, emphasizing the irreplaceable role each founding member played in shaping the band.

Honoring a Legacy, Remembering a Friend

Gene Simmons also addressed the milestone with heartfelt emotion, reflecting on Frehley’s passing. “The saddest thing of all is that Ace couldn’t live long enough to see this amazing thing. We are there at the finish line with Peter. And Ace is up there and he’s gonna be watching and proud,” Simmons said, underscoring the bittersweet nature of the honor.

Stanley further highlighted KISS’s journey and work ethic, framing the band’s success as a product of perseverance and dedication. “We are products of the American dream,” he explained. “There are opportunities, and they’re not always the same for everybody, but you’re willing to work hard and find out how much something matters to you by how much you’re willing to work to get it.”

Remembering Ace Frehley

The recognition by the Kennedy Center carries a poignant note, as it comes shortly after Frehley’s death in October 2025. According to Wikipedia, the guitarist and founding member passed at age 74 following complications from a fall at his home. Known for his aggressive yet melodic guitar style, Frehley’s contributions were central to KISS’s iconic sound.

Legacy Remembers reported that Frehley died on October 16, 2025, and Metal Injection detailed that the cause was blunt trauma to the head sustained after falling in his studio. His passing added a layer of poignancy to the Kennedy Center honor, as Stanley and Simmons paid tribute to his influence and irreplaceable role in the band.

Following Frehley’s death, the surviving members described him as an “essential and irreplaceable rock soldier,” celebrating the lasting impact of his musicianship. The Kennedy Center recognition now stands not only as a testament to KISS’s continued influence but also as a tribute to the foundational work of all four original members who helped define one of rock music’s most legendary acts.