Original lead guitarist of KISS, Ace Frehley recently passed away at the age of 74, in Morristown, New Jersey, after a fall and health complications. A week following his passing, an intimate memorial celebrating the life of the legendary guitarist took place in New York City’s Bronx borough. Now, Gene Simmons has allegedly spoken to a fan about Frehley’s passing.
Music industry personality, and known KISS fan, Jodi Ritzen took to social media to share a candid and unexpectedly warm story about meeting Gene Simmons.
“It’s true, he’s all about money,” Ritzen began her post, humorously recalling the moment she asked the rocker for a photo. “I said, hi, can I please have a picture with you? He said sure! $5.00, I said., okay I’ll take your $5.00 but I’m usually more. He said, you’re a Jew!”
While the interaction started playfully, it quickly turned into a genuine and memorable exchange. Ritzen described how the musician, often portrayed as difficult or abrasive, turned out to be personable and funny.
Gene Simmons opens up on Ace Frehley
“We talked and laughed and I got muffin out of his hair,” she wrote. “He showed me videos of his kids on his phone singing, we talked about Ace, he asked me about me, I broke the news about everyone in the Monkees passing except Micky, he tried to give me trivia on Nez’s mom and Circus Boy. He asked if Micky still wears the Fedora.”
Ritzen added that the musician “told jokes, told me I talk too much, talked to the family, took pictures with all of them,” describing the experience as a heartfelt and surprisingly personal encounter.
“Yeah… totally jerk as many say,” she continued sarcastically. “Never ever listen to others. I sure didn’t. I think at least 30 minutes we hung out and my god a memory I’ll never forget.”
Her story has been widely shared among fans, with many praising her for offering a different perspective on a figure often portrayed in a negative light. The post serves as a reminder that behind the headlines and public personas, even the most controversial rock stars can have moments of warmth, humor, and connection.
