Why Gene Simmons Wanted To Be Harder On Ace Frehley and Peter Criss
DALY CITY, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Freeley and Peter Criss performing as "Kiss" at the Cow Palace on November25, 1979 in Daly City, California. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Gene Simmons recently reflected on the original Kiss lineup, expressing regret over not being tougher on Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
In a candid discussion with Backstage Pass, Simmons was asked if he would change anything about his illustrious career. The Kiss bassist didn’t hold back.
“Well, I’m sad in retrospect — you know, hindsight’s 20/20 — I’m sad that I wasn’t more hard on Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss], the two original guys who played guitar and drums in the band,” Simmons admitted, referring to his former bandmates’ battles with substance abuse.
Simmons acknowledged the significant contributions of Frehley and Criss to the band’s early success. He said:
“Ace and Peter… have as much credit for the beginning of the band as Paul [Stanley] and I do.
“There’s no question it was that chemistry. They both had unique voices, unique personalities and all that. And they should have been here with us 50 or 55 years later and enjoying the fruits of their labor. But sadly, they’re not.”
Despite his desire for Frehley and Criss to have remained with Kiss, Simmons emphasized that their departures were ultimately their own doing. “They were in and out of the band three different times. They were let go three different times because of the same old thing,” he explained, pointing to their issues with drugs. “It’s not even unique. Go to almost every band and you’ll find people ingesting stuff more than the bum on the street corner, except they’re richer and they can afford to ingest more. It’s sad.”
Frehley’s last stint with Kiss ended in 2002, while Criss departed for the final time in 2004. The band’s final lineup included Simmons and Stanley, joined by drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer.
