Gene Simmons slammed for real estate post as KISS pays tribute to Ace Frehley
Gene Simmons has been slammed by fans for promoting a real estate segment on social media, as they mourn the death of his former Kiss bandmate Ace Frehley
Gene Simmons is facing backlash on social media after promoting a real estate segment while fans and fellow musicians mourn the death of Ace Frehley, his former Kiss bandmate.
On Thursday, Simmons shared a video tour of one of his Beverly Hills homes. The tweet, accompanied by a photo of him posing inside the home, read, "Legendary rocker Gene Simmons gives us a tour of one of his Beverly Hills homes, now on sale. COMPASS Real Estate."
Fans were quick to react. "You post this in the midst of Ace news? No class by your social team, Gene," wrote one commenter. ".....you post about this and not Ace???" another posted. The news follows Simmons crashing his car earlier this month.
The surviving members of the band, including Gene, did issue a joint tribute to THR. "I am devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley," the statement said.
"He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy," it continued.
Frehley, 74, passed away on Thursday in New Jersey after suffering from a brain injury. His family said he died peacefully and was surrounded by loved ones.
Frehley was a founding member of Kiss in 1973, alongside Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. He played lead guitar on the band's first nine albums before leaving in 1982.
He briefly returned in the late 1990s for the album Psycho Circus and later pursued solo work.
Fans continued to question Simmons' decision to post, even after he issued the statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Wasn't this like two years ago? Who's running your site Gene?" one fan queried, referring to the reposted home tour video.
"This but no comment about Ace?" another fan wrote.
Brian Reda, a fan, responded bluntly, "So classy of you when Ace is on his deathbed and you can't be bothered to go see him and make things right between you two."
Some fans speculated that Simmons had visited Frehley privately but chose not to publicize it.
One fan suggested, "Maybe Gene flew out to say goodbye to his friend? Think about how you would feel losing someone close to you. Would you run to social media? You all should be ashamed of your petty bulls---!".
While Simmons didn't post on his own social media, ex KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick did.
He shared, "The news of Ace's passing is devastating to the world of rock. He was one of a kind... He influenced millions of guitarists around the world. RIP.
"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," Frehley's family told USA Today, following his death.
Frehley leaves behind his daughter, Monique.
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