**Ace Frehley’s Unique Demand for KISS Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Revealed**
*Published Oct. 17, 2025, 4:00 p.m. ET*
Before agreeing to reunite with his estranged former bandmates, the late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley had one unique demand for the group’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, RadarOnline.com can reveal. His request not only highlighted his dedication to the fans and the music he helped create with KISS but also exposed the deep rift between group members.
Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS, passed away at the age of 74 on October 16. After years of estrangement and publicly dissing each other, KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Frehley put their differences aside for one evening at the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While they managed to make it through the night as a group, tension and resentment stemming from decades-old feuds still lingered among the rockstars.
Frehley and Criss were fired from the band in 1982 and 1980, respectively. Paul Stanley later claimed in his memoir that the band’s controversial decision to part ways with the guitarist and drummer was due to their substance abuse issues and alleged antisemitism.
Despite the honor of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, past drama resurfaced as the group planned for the ceremony. While Simmons and Stanley were on board to perform, they wanted the show to include their new bandmates. On the other hand, Criss and Frehley were adamant about donning their iconic black and white face paint along with black leather attire one last time as a tribute to their legacy. However, Stanley was opposed to this idea.
**Paul Stanley Shuts Down Reunion Request**
Stanley flatly rejected Frehley’s request, saying, “That’s not going to happen. That band is gone.” Despite Stanley’s firm stance, Frehley and Criss refused to back down and insisted they would skip the event if replacements were allowed to perform in their costumes. Criss expressed his frustration sharply: “I won’t be disrespected. How can you put me in the Hall of Fame and then tell me to sit in the corner while another guy puts on my makeup and plays?”
In the end, all original bandmates attended the ceremony, though their clean-cut appearances made it clear which side prevailed in the planning drama.
**Frehley’s Health Challenges**
While Frehley, Simmons, Criss, and Stanley were all present at the ceremony, they were notably the only inductees who did not take the stage. In a surprising moment, Stanley and Criss embraced during the evening. Simmons even poked fun at their long-standing feud in his speech, saying, “I’m here to say a few words about the four knuckleheads who, 40 years ago, got together and decided to put together the kind of band we never saw onstage, critics be damned.”
As previously reported by RadarOnline.com, Frehley passed away on Thursday, October 16, after enduring a series of health challenges.
**A Tragic Ending to Frehley’s Life**
Earlier this year, the guitarist was forced to cancel his remaining tour dates due to ongoing medical issues. In September, he was hospitalized after suffering a fall at his home.
His family confirmed his death in a statement to *People* magazine:
> “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.
>
> We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension.
>
> Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Ace Frehley’s legacy as a groundbreaking guitarist and founding member of KISS remains unmatched, and his influence on rock music will be remembered for generations to come.
https://radaronline.com/p/ace-frehley-death-kiss-feud-reunion-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/