Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Mourn Charlie Frehley, Reuniting with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley

Rare Reunion: Kiss Co-Founders Attend Funeral Service for Charlie Frehley

The original co-founders of the legendary rock band Kiss—Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss—put decades of public feuding and professional separation aside to attend a private funeral service for Charles “Charlie” Frehley, the older brother of original Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley.

The intimate ceremony, held on a recent Wednesday in The Bronx, New York, marked an extraordinarily rare public gathering of the four musicians who formed the iconic 1970s lineup, often referred to by fans as the “original four.” Their attendance underscores the deep personal bonds that persist despite the highly publicized acrimony and legal battles that have defined their relationship since the original lineup dissolved.

The Significance of the Original Lineup’s Attendance

Charlie Frehley, who passed away recently, was a key figure in the early lives and musical development of both his brother Ace and the broader New York rock scene. His funeral service provided the unexpected setting for the four rock icons to pay their respects together.

For fans and music historians, the sight of Simmons, Stanley, Criss, and Ace Frehley together holds immense significance. Since the conclusion of the original lineup’s reunion tours in the early 2000s, the relationship between the members has been notoriously strained, characterized by sharp public comments and a complete lack of collaboration.

Decades of Fractured Relationships

The attendance of the four musicians is particularly noteworthy given the history of conflict:

• Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (the core members who own the Kiss brand) have consistently maintained that Criss and Ace Frehley were unreliable and professionally challenging, leading to their permanent separation from the band.
• Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have often countered these claims, criticizing Simmons and Stanley’s handling of the band’s legacy and their exclusion from the final touring lineup.

Despite these professional and personal differences, the shared history and the gravity of the occasion clearly transcended their long-standing disagreements. The service was described as a quiet, respectful event focused entirely on honoring Charlie Frehley’s life.

Context: The Frehley Family and Kiss History

Charlie Frehley was not only Ace’s brother but also a musician in his own right and a consistent presence in the lives of the early Kiss members. His passing brought the shared history of the group into sharp focus.

This reunion follows the official conclusion of Kiss’s decades-long “End of the Road” farewell tour, which wrapped up in late 2023. While the tour celebrated the band’s legacy, neither Ace Frehley nor Peter Criss participated in the final live performances, reinforcing the professional divide. The attendance at Charlie Frehley’s service, however, suggests that while the business relationship remains severed, a foundation of personal respect and shared history endures.

Why This Matters to Fans

This event provides a rare, human moment for a band often defined by spectacle and conflict. It confirms that despite the public drama, the original four members still share a profound connection rooted in their formative years in the Bronx and their explosive rise to fame. It offers a glimpse of reconciliation, albeit under somber circumstances, that many fans had long hoped for.

Key Takeaways

• The Event: Original Kiss co-founders Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss attended the funeral service for Charles “Charlie” Frehley, the brother of Ace Frehley.
• The Location: The intimate ceremony was held in The Bronx, New York.
• The Significance: This marks one of the few times in the last two decades that the four original members—Simmons, Stanley, Criss, and Ace Frehley—have gathered publicly, highlighting a personal connection that supersedes their professional disputes.
• The Context: The reunion occurred shortly after Kiss concluded their final farewell tour, which did not feature Criss or Ace Frehley.