Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley ‘devastated’ over KISS bandmate Ace Frehley’s death

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are heartbroken over the death of their former KISS bandmate Ace Frehley.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” they told Page Six in a statement Thursday.

“He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy,” the added, concluding that their thoughts are with Frehley’s estranged wife, Jeanette, his daughter, Monique, and “all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Frehley died on Oct. 16 at 74 years old. His family confirmed his passing in a statement remembering his final moments.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” the statement reads.

“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”

Frehley had been hospitalized on life support after falling in his studio and suffering a brain bleed just a few weeks before his death.

The “Cold Gin” rocker previously confirmed he suffered “a minor fall” in his studio that resulted in a trip to the hospital in a statement shared on his social media Sept. 25.

“He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time,” the message read in part. “Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, ‘Origins Vol. 4.’”

He later revealed in an October Instagram post that the remainder of his 2025 tour dates would be canceled due to “some ongoing medical issues.”

The guitarist was an original member of the famed rock band until he left in 1982. He went on to form his own group, Frehley’s Comet, years later before he ultimately went solo.

He notably had a contentious relationship with his former KISS bandmates after his departure. Though, he reunited with them in 1996 for a reunion tour that lasted until 2002.

Frehley collaborated with Simmons on several shows throughout the years — He previously joined Simmons for a Children Matter benefit in 2017 as well as for one of Simmons’ “Vault experience” shows at Capitol Records in Los Angeles in 2018.

However, he declined to join KISS for their End of the Road farewell tour, which featured OG members Simmons, 76, and Stanley, 73, along with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on lead guitar and drums.