Kiss Members: Original Lineup, Deaths, and Deafness Facts

Few rock bands have sparked as much confusion about their own members as Kiss, with decades of lineup changes, face paint, and stage personas muddling who played what and who’s still alive. This guide clears up the most persistent questions — from the original four members to the deafness rumor and the recent death of Ace Frehley — using verified sources and official records.

Original members: 4 ·
Years active: 1973–2023 ·
Lead vocalist: Paul Stanley ·
Deaf member: Paul Stanley (left ear)

Five key facts about Kiss members, one pattern: the band’s history is defined by its original core and the tragic losses of later members.

Who were the original 4 Kiss members?

• Paul Stanley (Starchild) – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
• Gene Simmons (Demon) – bass, lead vocals
• Ace Frehley (Spaceman) – lead guitar, vocals
• Peter Criss (Catman) – drums, vocals

The original lineup formed in New York City in January 1973, with each member adopting a distinct stage persona and makeup design. All four members also contributed vocals, making Kiss a rare band with multiple lead singers. The group’s self-titled debut album was released in 1974, launching one of rock’s most iconic careers. (Wikipedia – List of Kiss members)

Paul Stanley (Starchild)

• Born Stanley Harvey Eisen on January 20, 1952
• Rhythm guitar and lead vocals
• The only member to appear on every Kiss album
• Deaf in his left ear due to microtia (Paul Stanley’s official website)

Gene Simmons (Demon)

• Born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949
• Bass and lead vocals
• Known for his fire-spitting and blood-spitting stage antics
• Co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits

Ace Frehley (Spaceman)

• Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951
• Lead guitar and vocals
• Left the band in 1982, returned for the 1996 reunion
• Died on October 16, 2025 at age 74 (PEOPLE (celebrity news))

Peter Criss (Catman)

• Born George Peter John Criscuola on December 20, 1945
• Drums and vocals
• Wrote and sang “Beth,” the band’s highest-charting single
• Fired in 1980, later returned for reunion tours

The implication: The original four created a mythology that outlasted every lineup change, and their personas remain the definitive image of Kiss.

Are any of the Kiss members still alive?

Yes, three of the four original Kiss members are still alive as of 2025. The only original member who has died is Ace Frehley, who passed away in October 2025.

Paul Stanley

• Alive, born 1952
• Active in the band until the final tour in 2023

Gene Simmons

• Alive, born 1949
• Active in the band until the final tour in 2023

Peter Criss

• Alive, born 1945
• Retired from the band after the 2000s reunions

Ace Frehley

• Deceased (October 16, 2025)
• Cause of death ruled accidental by Morris County Medical Examiner (PEOPLE (celebrity news))

What this means: The persistent rumor that “all original Kiss members are dead” is false; only one original member has passed away, and that occurred in 2025.

Which members of Kiss have passed away?

Three former members of Kiss have died, but only one — Ace Frehley — was an original member. The other two were later replacements.

The pattern: The band’s tragedies have all involved drummers and guitarists, while the core duo of Stanley and Simmons remained constant.

Why was Peter Criss kicked out of Kiss?

• Peter Criss was fired on May 18, 1980
• Reasons cited: declining drumming skills, personal tensions, and a hand injury
• He was replaced by Eric Carr
• Criss returned briefly for the 1996 reunion tour and again in the 2000s

The exact reasons for his departure remain disputed among band members. Some sources say the firing was due to musical differences, while others point to his struggles with substance abuse. (Wikipedia – List of Kiss members)

The catch: The split was definitive — Criss never returned as a permanent member, and his relationship with the band has been rocky.

Which Kiss member is deaf?

Paul Stanley was born with microtia, a condition that left him deaf in his left ear. He has spoken openly about it in interviews.

Paul Stanley’s birth defect

• Born with microtia (underdeveloped ear) on the left side
• Deaf in his left ear from birth
• Underwent reconstructive surgery in 1982, using part of his rib cage to create a new ear
• The condition has never affected his singing or stage performance

In a 2014 interview with Hearing Health Matters, Stanley said: “I never could hear well.” (Hearing Health Matters (hearing health publication))

Why this matters: Stanley’s deafness is a congenital condition, not a result of rock ‘n’ roll excess, and he has never let it hinder his performance.

Who are the four current members of Kiss?

The final touring lineup of Kiss consisted of two original members and two replacements.

• Paul Stanley (Starchild) – rhythm guitar, vocals
• Gene Simmons (Demon) – bass, vocals
• Tommy Thayer (Spaceman) – lead guitar, vocals (joined 2002)
• Eric Singer (Catman) – drums, vocals (joined 1991)

This lineup performed the band’s final concert at Madison Square Garden in December 2023, ending the End of the Road tour. (Wikipedia – band article)

The trade-off: The final lineup maintained the classic sound but lacked the original members’ chemistry and stage presence.

Timeline: Key Events in Kiss History

• 1973: Kiss formed with original four members (Wikipedia (band article))
• 1980: Peter Criss fired; replaced by Eric Carr (Wikipedia – List of Kiss members)
• 1982: Ace Frehley leaves; replaced by Vinnie Vincent (Wikipedia – band article)
• 1991: Eric Carr dies of cancer (Wikipedia – band article)
• 1996: Original lineup reunites for tour (Wikipedia – band article)
• 2007: Mark St. John dies (Wikipedia – band article)
• 2023: Final concert of End of the Road tour (Wikipedia – band article)
• 2025: Ace Frehley dies at age 74 (PEOPLE (celebrity news))

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Paul Stanley is deaf in his left ear due to microtia (Paul Stanley’s official website)
• Peter Criss was fired in 1980 (Wikipedia – List of Kiss members)
• Eric Carr and Mark St. John are deceased (Wikipedia (band article))
• Three original Kiss members are alive as of 2025; Ace Frehley died in 2025 (PEOPLE (celebrity news))

What’s unclear

• Exact cause of Peter Criss’s firing remains disputed among band members
• Ace Frehley’s death rumors prior to 2025 were false and unsubstantiated

“I was born with left-side deafness. I never could hear well.”

— Paul Stanley, in an interview with Hearing Health Matters (hearing health publication)

“He made bad decisions and it caught up with him.”

— Gene Simmons, on Ace Frehley’s death, as reported by PEOPLE (celebrity news)

For Kiss fans, the band’s legacy is now complete: a 50-year run that began with four masked strangers and ended with two originals carrying the torch. The confusion about who died, who is deaf, and who left when can finally be put to rest with verified facts. For anyone researching the band, the choice is clear: rely on official sources and avoid forum rumors, or risk repeating the same myths that have clouded Kiss history for decades.

Frequently asked questions