Gene Simmons, the longtime bassist of Kiss, was hospitalized Tuesday, October 7, following a car crash in Malibu, California, but is now recovering at home, his wife said, according to NBC4 Los Angeles.
The 76-year-old rock icon’s SUV veered across multiple lanes of the Pacific Coast Highway before striking a parked car just before 1 p.m. in the 25000 block of PCH, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, NBC4 Los Angeles reports. Responding deputies say Simmons told them he “passed out or fainted” behind the wheel. Fire crews took him to a local hospital for evaluation.
Shannon Tweed, his wife, said in a statement to NBC4 Los Angeles that doctors recently altered his medication regimen and that dehydration may have played a role. “He needs to drink more water,” she said. Simmons was released and is recovering at home, she added.
Authorities have not released further medical details. The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station confirmed the incident but declined to name the driver in its public statement, People reports. The crash investigation remains ongoing, though no signs of impairment have been made public.
Details on Gene Simmons’ Accident
The crash occurred on Tuesday, October 7. According to reports, the SUV careened across several lanes before colliding with the parked car. Deputies identified the vehicle as belonging to Simmons.
After the crash, Simmons was coherent and talking with first responders, the sheriff’s department said. While his wife has said he is stable, she also noted that he has a long history of being under-hydrated and that the medication change may have contributed.
“Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes,” Simmons said in a post on X. “I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us were horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.”
Fans greeted news of his hospitalization with shock and well wishes across social media. Rock publications and local news outlets carried the story widely, noting the potential implications for the upcoming Kiss reunion performance.
Some analysts cautioned that any further complications could affect the timing or demands of the anniversary show. Others speculated that Simmons’ bandmate Paul Stanley, who has had occasional health issues of his own, might be called upon to shoulder additional duties.
Simmons is a founding member of Kiss, the hard rock band formed in New York in 1973 by Simmons and Paul Stanley, with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Over the decades, the band became famed for theatrical stage shows, makeup personas (Simmons’ “Demon” character among them), and hits such as “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.”
Though Kiss ceased large-scale touring in 2023, the band planned a reunion performance in Las Vegas later this year to commemorate their 50th anniversary.
As for other health scares, in 2023, during a show in Brazil, he experienced weakness and was forced to sit out a song before resuming the performance. The band paused briefly to tend to him onstage. He later attributed that episode to dehydration in humid conditions. Also in prior years, Simmons has undergone medical procedures, including kidney stone treatment, though those were described at the time as noncritical.
Kiss Band Legacy
Kiss has always weathered lineup changes and challenges. After a “farewell” tour that extended over years, the band’s presence has shifted toward special events and legacy performances. The reunion event in Las Vegas is seen by many as a high-stakes moment, a chance to cap off the band’s storied run. Simmons’ hospitalization injects a note of uncertainty into that plan.
In past years, Simmons was known for his rigorous schedule, high energy performances and endurance. As of now, no statements have come from Simmons’ management or representatives regarding postponements or contingency plans for the planned Las Vegas show. But insiders say the situation is being monitored closely, and that backup measures are being discussed in private.
For now, fans and colleagues alike are expressing hope for Simmons’ full recovery and a successful continuation of the band’s legacy.
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