Gene Simmons has been seen for the first time since his KISS bandmate died.
The 76-year-old guitarist was spotted in a blue denim shirt, skinny blue denim jeans, black-and-red high-top sneakers and a black cap as she walked alone at the Los Angeles airport LAX.
It has been a rough month for Simmons.
Not only did his bandmate and pal Ace Frehley pass away at the age of 74, but the rocker also got into a car accident in Malibu.
Simmons, known for his fire-breathing stage persona The Demon with KISS, is an Israeli-born musician.
He co-founded the hard rock band Kiss in 1973 and played bass and co-lead vocals until the band retired in 2023. The star also appeared in TV shows like Gene Simmons Family Jewels and Rock School.Â
Gene Simmons has been seen for the first time since his KISS bandmate died. The 76-year-old guitarist was spotted in a blue denim shirt, skinny blue denim jeans , black -and-red high-top sneakers and a black cap as she walked alone at the Los Angeles airport LAX
Simmons, known for his fire-breathing stage persona The Demon with KISS, is an Israeli-born musician; seen in 2023 in NYC
Last week Simmons and another KISS bandmate, Paul Stanley, described Frehley as an ‘irreplaceable rock soldier’ following his death, aged 74.
The two KISS guitarists have led tributes to their late bandmate – who died on October 16 following a recent fall at his home – admitting they have been left ‘devastated’ by his passing.
Gene and Paul wrote in a joint statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I am devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley.
‘He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.
‘He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. My thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.’
KISS founding member Peter Criss wrote on X: ‘I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you! #KissArmy #AceFrehley #Kiss #Spaceman (sic)’
Meanwhile, in early October Simmons was rushed to hospital after crashing his car into a parked motor.
He was driving his SUV on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu when he is said to have lost consciousness.
It has been a rough month for Simmons. Not only did his band mate and pal Ace Frehley pass away at the age of 74, but the rocker also got into a car accident in Malibu
Kiss, group portrait, without make up in London in August 1983; L-R, Simmons, Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent, Eric Carr
 Ace Frehley, Stanley, Peter Criss, and Simmons in January 1975 in Los Angeles
Simmons was discharged, and he is said to have told the US TV station NBC4 he was ‘doing fine’.
His wife, Shannon Tweed, told NBC4 Investigates that Gene passed out and his car ‘careened across several lanes of traffic’ before hitting another vehicle.
She also said doctors recently changed his medication and he needs to drink more water as a result, but he isn’t a big H2O drinker.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department told the outlet that the Rock and Roll All Nite hitmaker’s Lincoln Navigator smashed into a parked car.
A witness is said to have called 911 and police officers and firefighters rushed to the scene. According to TMZ, nobody was hurt in the accident. Gene is already said to have returned to work following the terrifying incident.
A rep for the star told PEOPLE: ‘Gene is fine and back to work already.’
Simmons and Shannon Tweed with their children Sophie and Nick at the screening of The New Guy in Los Angeles in 2002.
Simmons’ crash comes just a month before KISS are due to play an ‘unmasked’ show in Las Vegas.
The iconic rock band performed their last stage show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2023, but KISS are coming out of retirement to appear at the KISS Army Storms Vegas convention, which runs from November 14 until November 16.
Simmons previously insisted the Madison Square Garden concert would be the ‘final Kiss-in-makeup appearance’.
The Forever musician told Rolling Stone magazine in 2023: ‘My hand on the Bible. And I should know because my people wrote that book. In fact, my people also wrote the follow-up book, the New Testament. And so I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final Kiss-in-makeup appearance.’
