KISS frontman Gene Simmons apologized after receiving backlash over comments he made about Ace Frehley’s death.
Frehley, the original lead guitarist for rock band KISS, died in October at the age of 74 and had required life support and a ventilator after suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall at his home.
After Frehley’s death, Simmons proposed in a recent interview The New York Post that his bandmate died because of a series of “bad decisions.”
But after the comments made headlines, the rock icon turned to X on Wednesday to admit he was “wrong.”
“On reflection, I was wrong to use the words I did. I humbly apologize. My hand to God. I did not mean to hurt Ace or his legacy, but as I reread my words I see how it hurt everyone. I apologize again. I have always loved Ace. Always,” said the Detroit Rock City hitmaker wrote.
Last weekend, KISS was recognized at the annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, DC
Speak with PEOPLE reporters on the red carpet at the time, KISS co-founders Paul Stanley and Peter Criss talked about Frehley’s legacy.
“We’re here and at the same time we can mourn his passing and celebrate our achievements. So both of those things can be true at the same time,” Stanley said, adding, “He’s here in spirit. He was really looking forward to being here and I feel like he’s here.”
Monique Frehley accepted the Kennedy Center Honors Medal on behalf of her late father on Saturday during a presentation given by US President Donald Trump at the White House.
