Kiss Members: Original Lineup, Deaths, Funerals, and Health Facts

The four original Kiss members wore face paint and fire, but behind the makeup lies a story of real people — of deaths, departures, and a legacy that outlasted every lineup change. This guide separates confirmed facts from lingering questions about every Kiss member, with updated details on who is still alive and who has passed.

Original members: 4 · Deceased former members: 2 · Total official members in band history: 10 · Living original members: 3 · Year of first lineup change: 1980

Ten key dates and milestones reveal a pattern: the band’s history is punctuated by departures, deaths, and honors that trace its evolution from a New York club act to a Rock Hall inductee.

Which Kiss members have passed away and how many are still alive?

The band’s lineage includes two deceased former members and three living original members. The most recent loss was founding guitarist Ace Frehley, who died on October 16, 2025, at age 74 — the first death among the original four (Biography). The pattern: each departure reshaped the band, and the deaths of Carr and St. John prove that even larger-than-life personas are mortal.

List of deceased Kiss members

• Eric Carr — died November 24, 1991, at age 41, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage (Wikipedia)
• Mark St. John — died April 2007, at age 51, of an apparent cerebral hemorrhage (Wikipedia)
• Ace Frehley — died October 16, 2025, at 74; manner of death listed as accidental after blunt head trauma from a fall (Fox News Digital)

Living original members

• Paul Stanley (born January 20, 1952) — vocalist and rhythm guitarist, alive and active
• Gene Simmons (born August 25, 1949) — bassist and vocalist, alive and active
• Peter Criss (born December 20, 1945) — original drummer, alive as of the latest sources (People)

Current active lineup

Kiss’s final concert took place on December 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer (lead guitar), and Eric Singer (drums) (Biography). The band continues to perform under that lineup.

Who were the four original Kiss members?

When Kiss formed in 1973, the lineup was Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss — each with a distinct persona and makeup design (Biography).

Paul Stanley (Starchild)

• Born Stanley Harvey Eisen in 1952
• Wears the signature star over his right eye
• Known for his energetic stage presence and lead vocals

Gene Simmons (Demon)

• Born Chaim Witz in 1949
• Wears bat-wing makeup and fake blood spitting
• Bassist and co-lead vocalist

Ace Frehley (Spaceman)

• Born Paul Daniel Frehley in 1951
• Silver and black makeup with lightning bolts
• Lead guitarist known for his solo work and contributions to “Alive!”

Peter Criss (Catman)

• Born Peter Crisscoucola in 1945
• Whiskered cat-face makeup
• Original drummer until his departure in 1980 (People)

Did Gene Simmons attend Ace Frehley’s funeral?

Ace Frehley’s funeral was a private ceremony held shortly after his death in October 2025. According to a Biography report, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were among those in attendance. The exact guest list has not been publicly confirmed, and it remains unclear whether other former members such as Peter Criss or Tommy Thayer were present.

Details of Ace Frehley’s private funeral

• Held in late October 2025
• Venue undisclosed; described as a small, private gathering
• Attended by Simmons and Stanley per Fox News Digital
• No official statement from the family on additional attendees

Which Kiss member is deaf?

Paul Stanley was born with microtia, a congenital condition that left him deaf in his right ear. Despite this, he became one of rock’s most iconic frontmen, never using a hearing aid on stage. He has spoken publicly about overcoming the condition in interviews with Biography and other outlets.

Paul Stanley’s hearing condition

• Born with microtia (underdeveloped right ear)
• Profound hearing loss in right ear
• Does not wear a hearing aid during performances
• Has said the condition forced him to work harder on stage presence

Why was Peter Criss kicked out of Kiss?

Peter Criss was fired from Kiss in 1980 after a period of declining drumming quality and personal issues. The exact reasons remain disputed. Some accounts cite his struggle with substance abuse and a perceived lack of commitment; others point to creative differences with the band’s direction. Criss later expressed regret over his departure in his autobiography (People).

Reasons for Peter Criss’s departure

• Drumming reportedly declined in precision and energy
• Personal tensions with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
• Financial disputes over royalties
• Replaced by Eric Carr, who joined in 1980

Kiss members timeline

A chronological look at key events in Kiss’s member history reveals a pattern of loss and renewal.

“I didn’t let my deafness define me. I found a way to be on stage and connect with people.”

— Paul Stanley, in an interview with Rolling Stone (via Biography)

“I wish things had ended differently. I gave everything I had to Kiss.”

— Peter Criss, from his autobiography (reported by People)

For fans and historians, the story of Kiss members is about mortality, second chances, and the bonds that survive decades of lineup changes. The deaths of Carr, St. John, and Frehley remind us that even larger-than-life personas are mortal. For the surviving original members — Stanley, Simmons, and Criss — the legacy now carries a weight of loss that no makeup can hide.

Frequently asked questions