The surviving members of the legendary rock band KISS reunited on the red carpet in Washington DC this weekend, presenting a united front less than two months after the tragic death of their former guitarist, Ace Frehley.
A Solemn Reunion in the Capital
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss came together at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday for the prestigious Kennedy Center Honours. The three founding members, all clad in formal black tuxedos, made their entrance at the event which celebrates lifetime contributions to American culture.
The ceremony held a poignant significance for the band, following Frehley's passing on 16 October. The guitarist died from complications related to brain bleeding after a fall at his home studio in Morristown, New Jersey. His family made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support.
Simmons confirmed to reporters on the red carpet that Frehley would be honoured with an open seat during the proceedings, a gesture discussed with President Donald Trump.
Remembering a Rock Legend
In a statement released at the time of his death, Frehley's family shared the profound loss, noting they were able to surround him with love and peace in his final moments. They expressed a focus on celebrating his laughter, strengths, and the kindness he showed others.
Reflecting on his bandmate's life, Simmons offered candid remarks to The New York Post, suggesting Frehley had at times been "in and out of bad decisions" and had resisted advice to change his lifestyle. "The saddest thing – you reap what you shall sow unfortunately," Simmons stated, while emphasising his heartbreak over the loss.
He described the 22 October funeral, attended by the three surviving members, as "just heartbreaking." Simmons added that the true tragedy was Frehley not living to see KISS honoured at the Kennedy Center.
A Weekend of Presidential Pomp
The weekend's events also included a visit to the Oval Office on Saturday, where Stanley, Simmons, and fellow honouree Sylvester Stallone met with President Trump. The President, who hosted Sunday's ceremony, had previously predicted the event would achieve record ratings when it airs on 23 December on CBS and Paramount+.
The iconic rockers, famed for anthems like "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made for Lovin' You," their distinctive face paint, and spectacular pyrotechnic shows, were honoured alongside singer Gloria Gaynor, country star George Strait, and actor Michael Crawford.
This reunion served as a powerful, bittersweet moment for the band and its global fanbase, blending celebration with remembrance for a fallen original member.
