Ace Frehley Reveals How His Exit from KISS Cost Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Millions
via AceFrehleyVEVO / YouTube
Ace Frehley’s decision to leave KISS in the early 1980s remains one of the most pivotal and costly moments in the band’s storied history. In a resurfaced interview from Musicians Institute, the guitarist detailed the circumstances that led to his departure — a choice that not only altered his life but also cost Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley millions. At the time, KISS was riding high on fame and fortune, but behind the scenes, Frehley was grappling with deep exhaustion and disillusionment.
He described the 1970s as a nonstop blur of tours, parties, and pressure. The relentless schedule and the band’s notorious lifestyle had taken a toll on his health and state of mind. Though KISS had become one of the biggest acts in the world, Frehley revealed that the success came at a personal cost he could no longer bear. His decision to quit wasn’t made lightly — it came at a time when the band had just secured a multi-million-dollar deal.
For many, his choice seemed unfathomable: walking away from fame, fortune, and a $15 million contract. But for Frehley, it was about survival. The guitarist admitted that he reached a point where no amount of money could outweigh his declining happiness.
View this post on Instagram
Choosing Health Over Wealth
During his interview, Frehley recalled a difficult conversation with his lawyer just before his departure. The band had recently inked a $15 million contract — a massive sum for the era. Yet Frehley confessed that despite the lucrative deal, he was deeply unhappy and struggling mentally. “Every night I drive home to Connecticut, I want to drive my car into a tree because I’m not happy,” he remembered telling his lawyer. His adviser tried to remind him of the money, but Frehley’s response was simple and chilling: “You cannot spend money six feet under.”
That statement captured the heart of his struggle. Fame and wealth had brought everything except peace of mind. Frehley’s words reflected the hidden cost of success in a high-pressure rock environment where mental health was often ignored. His decision to walk away was not just about leaving a band — it was about reclaiming his life before it spiraled beyond control.
The guitarist’s choice to step away underscored a reality many musicians faced but rarely discussed. Beneath the glamour of stadium tours and chart-topping albums was a personal battle with burnout and addiction. Frehley’s breaking point marked a rare moment in rock history where an artist chose sanity over superstardom.
The $7.5 Million Fallout
Frehley’s exit came with severe financial consequences for his bandmates. The $15 million contract that KISS had recently signed included a key clause: at least three of the four original members had to remain for the deal to hold. With drummer Peter Criss already gone, Frehley’s departure broke that condition — instantly slashing the contract value in half. “When I left, they lost $7.5 million,” Frehley admitted, acknowledging that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were far from pleased.
The loss highlighted how essential Frehley’s presence was to KISS’s commercial image. Even though Simmons and Stanley were seen as the primary leaders, the chemistry of the original four members was the band’s biggest selling point. Without it, their perceived authenticity — and marketability — took a hit.
The $7.5 million setback was more than a financial issue; it symbolized the end of an era. KISS would go on to reinvent themselves with new lineups and evolving identities, but the departure of another founding member reinforced the notion that the “original KISS magic” could not be replicated.
Legacy and Redemption
Despite the enormous financial loss, Frehley’s story didn’t end in tragedy or regret. While he walked away from millions, he retained a 25% share in KISS’s partnership until 1985, allowing him to continue earning from the band’s future releases. His solo venture, Frehley’s Comet, found success in its own right, and his return to KISS in 1996 for their reunion tour proved both financially and emotionally rewarding.
The 1996 reunion tour became one of the most successful in rock history, reuniting Frehley with Simmons, Stanley, and Criss for a worldwide spectacle that reignited fans’ passion. The tour’s commercial success reaffirmed his irreplaceable value to KISS, while also giving Frehley a second chance to reconnect with his legacy.
Looking back, the decision that cost the band millions also saved Frehley’s life. Adjusted for inflation, the $15 million contract he walked away from would be worth nearly $100 million today. Yet his choice to prioritize his well-being over wealth resonated deeply with fans who saw it as an act of courage. For Frehley, the price of peace was steep — but ultimately, it was worth every dollar lost.
