KISS legend Gene Simmons has been criticized by some KISS fans after a tribute post to bandmate Ace Frehley on X.
Gene Simmons draws criticism
In Simmons’ caption accompanying a photo of him hugging Frehley, he expressed sentiments about their relationship.
“Family is forever. Ace and I,” Simmons wrote in the caption.
However, the post garnered harsh replies from so called fans who questioned the sincerity of the tribute, given the band’s history. Despite Simmons’ issues with Frehley in the press over the years, these criticisms seem highly unfair, as there was clearly a brotherly bond Simmons and Frehley had despite their ups and downs.
One KISS fan challenged Simmons directly in the comments. “Family? You talked sh*t about him right up till the end. You never let him forget he was an alcoholic,” the fan wrote.
“You and Paul never stopped bringing up his faults to keep him down. If that’s how you treat family, I would hate to see how you treat your enemies.”
Another fan referenced KISS’s final performances and suggested his regret over past decisions. “Bet you regret not having them play your last show now. Money isn’t everything…I hope you are learning this,” they commented.
A third fan wrote, “You totally screwed Ace over and showed him no respect for years, now he’s ‘family’?”
Family is forever. Ace and I. pic.twitter.com/iKuYcw3LXu
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 26, 2025
The fan reactions come due to the complex relationship between Simmons and Frehley that dates back to the band’s earliest days.
Gene Simmons is not the only member who paid tribute to Frehley after his passing. Paul Stanley also mourned his former bandmate’s passing. Frehley and Simmons’ issues always seemed business related and never as personal as other rock feuds like David Gilmour and Roger Waters’, where after their personal insults, either paying emotional tribute to each other may come off as insincere. Simmons recently also paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and he seems to have a genuine love for his rock and roll contemporaries.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley nominated for Songwriters Hall of Fame Spot
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are now among the several major music industry figures who are competing for induction into the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Other nominees include Taylor Swift, David Byrne, Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, P!nk, Sarah McLachlan, as reported by Billboard.
The voting process categorizes candidates into two groups based on their roles in songwriting: non-performing songwriters and performing songwriters. Each group has a competitive ballot. From the 14 non-performing songwriters or songwriting teams on the ballot, the top three will be inducted. Similarly, the top three from the 13 performing songwriters or songwriting teams will also receive induction honors.
This year’s nominations showcase a diverse array of musical genres and generations, ranging from rock legends to contemporary pop artists. This reflects the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s commitment to honoring both established and emerging voices in music composition and performance.
Pop icon Taylor Swift is already a past recipient of the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. Should inducted this year, she would script history as the first person to transition from the Starlight Award to full membership in the Hall of Fame, marking a significant milestone in her career as a songwriter and performer.
The performing songwriters category comprises of impressive lineup of notable artists. KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are among the nominees, marking a significant recognition of their contributions to rock music.
Alongside them, the ballot includes LL Cool J and David Byrne from Talking Heads, representing hip-hop and art rock, respectively. Kenny Loggins, P!nk, and Sarah McLachlan are also nominated, known for their contribution to pop and rock.
The voting period for eligible members ends on December 4th, 2025. The induction gala is set for 2026.
