Rock icon Gene Simmons, the 76-year-old KISS legend, was rushed to the hospital after a terrifying car accident in Malibu—and what caused the crash is raising serious concerns.
For the time being, Gene Simmons will have to put his rock and roll lifestyle on pause.
The iconic KISS bassist found himself in a frightening situation when he was taken to the hospital following a vehicle collision in Malibu, California, which occurred on Tuesday, October 7. This information comes from reports by NBC4 Los Angeles (https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/kiss-gene-simmons-malibu-pch-crash/3788572/).
While the 76-year-old rock legend is now reportedly "recovering at home" after this alarming event, the circumstances surrounding the crash are particularly concerning. According to the news outlet, the musician behind hits like "Beth" had apparently either lost consciousness or fainted while driving his SUV, which then collided with a vehicle that was parked along the Pacific Coast Highway. This detail raises important questions about what might have triggered such a sudden medical episode while he was behind the wheel.
When The Post contacted a representative from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, they confirmed that an accident matching the details of the KISS bassist's collision had indeed taken place. However, the spokesperson refrained from officially identifying who the driver was in this particular incident.
According to the sheriff's station representative, the crash occurred in the 25600 block of the Pacific Coast Highway just before 1 p.m. on that Tuesday afternoon. The accident involved "a black Lincoln Navigator" that "struck a parked vehicle," they explained.
The driver, who officials believe "might have suffered a medical emergency before the crash," was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital where they received medical attention, the spokesperson confirmed.
But here's where it gets controversial...
NBC4 later confirmed that the driver was indeed Simmons, and their reporting painted an even more dramatic picture of the incident. According to their account, his SUV "careened across several lanes of traffic" before ultimately slamming into the parked car. This detail suggests the crash could have been far more catastrophic, potentially involving other vehicles or pedestrians. Should elderly drivers who experience sudden medical episodes face stricter licensing requirements? It's a question many are asking.
Shannon Simmons, the "God of Thunder" singer's wife, spoke with the news outlet and revealed that her husband is currently recuperating at their home. She also shared a crucial piece of information: doctors had recently changed his medication. This raises an important question—could the medication change have played a role in causing him to lose consciousness? It's a detail that many medical experts would say deserves serious investigation, as medication adjustments can sometimes lead to unexpected side effects, especially in older adults.
The Post has attempted to contact Simmons' representative for additional comment on the situation.
And this is the part most people miss...
Interestingly enough, Simmons isn't the only former KISS member who's currently dealing with recovery from a startling health incident.
The band's co-founder and original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, just recently made the decision to cancel all the remaining concert dates on his 2025 tour (https://nypost.com/2025/10/07/entertainment/kiss-star-ace-frehley-cancels-tour-due-to-ongoing-medical-issues/) due to what he described as "ongoing medical issues" that stemmed from a fall that resulted in his hospitalization.
"Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates," announced the musician—who earned the nicknames The Spaceman and Space Ace—along with his management team via Instagram on Monday.
Frehley had previously informed fans last month that he wouldn't be able to make it to a performance that was scheduled for September 26. The reason? He had "suffered a minor fall in his studio" (https://www.instagram.com/p/DPC36UYjcZv/?utmsource=igembed&ig_rid=b6e267df-d071-4649-8ac4-9b28dc792bed), which he said "resulted in a trip to the hospital." For a band known for their high-energy performances and larger-than-life personas, these back-to-back health scares are a sobering reminder that even rock legends aren't immune to the effects of aging.
The legendary "Rock and Roll All Nite" rock group, which originally featured Simmons, Frehley, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss in its classic lineup, is still scheduled to come together next month for a special celebration of the band's remarkable 50th anniversary at an event called KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas.
Set to take place from November 14-16 in Las Vegas, Nevada, this three-day celebration would represent the group's first live performance since they appeared to officially retire from touring back in 2023. But given these recent health concerns affecting multiple band members, some fans are now wondering: should the reunion proceed as planned, or would it be wiser to postpone?
Stanley, who is now 73 years old, discussed the upcoming reunion during an appearance on Joel Madden's "Artist Friendly" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os3H2gSaqWI&list=PLdrdhG5chrU92OLwixt3WUa2vVY37wAq1&index=19) podcast back in July, well before these recent health incidents occurred.
"Because we're not touring, and because the band isn't what it was, doesn't mean we've forgotten our fans," the KISS frontman emphasized during the interview. "Our fans made us who we are and continue to keep us where we are." It's a touching sentiment, but one has to wonder—at what point does loyalty to fans need to be balanced against personal health and safety?
While Stanley and Simmons had originally hoped to organize an actual KISS cruise experience for their devoted fanbase, the rhythm guitarist candidly admitted that they "couldn't get a ship" for the event.
"We're doing a KISS cruise without a ship," Stanley teased when discussing next month's Las Vegas gathering. "We've got the Virgin Hotel. We're going to play. Other bands are going to play. We'll do Q&As. There will be competitions. There's going to be everything that people expected on the KISS cruise."
Here's the question everyone should be asking: Is it responsible for aging rock stars to continue performing and making public appearances when they're clearly facing serious health challenges? On one hand, these artists have every right to continue doing what they love for as long as they're able. On the other hand, incidents like Simmons' crash could have endangered innocent bystanders. Where do we draw the line between celebrating our heroes and ensuring public safety?
What do you think? Should the KISS reunion go forward as planned, or should health concerns take priority? Do aging performers owe it to their fans to keep going, or is it time to accept that retirement might be the safer choice? Drop your thoughts in the comments—this is bound to spark some heated debate!
