by Late guitarist Ace Frehley once discussed the financial impact of his departure from KISS. According to a resurfaced interview from Musicians Institute, Frehley explained the circumstances that led to his decision to leave the iconic rock band in the early 1980s.
Frehley described his time in KISS during the 1970s as an overwhelming experience. Constant touring, substance abuse, and exhaustion marked this period. He revealed that despite the band’s success, his mental health was deteriorating.
“KISS in the ’70s was just like this roller-coaster ride for me. I was holding on for dear life. We were just constantly busy, and the drugs and the alcohol and all the partying in conjunction with that type of schedule just started to get to me. By the early ’80s, I just wanted to jump off the roller coaster because I thought I was going to crash,” Frehley said.
The guitarist explained that when he consulted with his lawyer about leaving the band, he faced a difficult choice. At that time, KISS had just secured a $15 million contract. However, Frehley’s personal well-being was at stake.
“I was sitting in my lawyer’s office prior to quitting the band. We had just gotten a $15 million contract. I’m talking to my lawyer, going, ‘$15 million, that’s great, but every night I drive home to Connecticut, I want to drive my car into a tree because I’m not happy.’ He goes, ‘Okay, Ace, I hear that, but it’s $15 million.’ After about a half an hour I said, ‘Look, you cannot spend money six feet under,’” Frehley recalled.
Frehley’s departure had significant financial consequences for the remaining band members. The contract terms required at least three of the four original KISS members to remain in the band. Since Peter Criss had already left, Frehley’s exit triggered a clause that cut the contract in half.
“Unfortunately, when I left, they lost $7.5 million, which I feel bad about because the contract stated at least three of the four [original] members had to be in the band. They [had already] let Peter [Criss, drums] go, so when I decided to quit, I cut the contract in half and it went from $15 million to $7.5 [million]. I think they were a little mad at me about that,” he said.
Frehley’s 1982 departure from KISS marked a turning point in the band’s history. The consequences extended far beyond the immediate financial loss. Blabbermouth reported that the $7.5 million loss to Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley represented a substantial blow to the band’s leadership. This figure illustrated just how significant Frehley’s role was to KISS’s commercial viability at that time.
Despite walking away from the lucrative deal, Frehley’s financial situation remained complex. Celebrity Net Worth noted that Frehley retained a 25% share in KISS’s partnership until 1985. He continued to receive profits from subsequent albums, allowing him to benefit financially even after his departure. This arrangement meant that while he left the band, he maintained a financial stake in its future success.
Following his exit, Frehley pursued a solo career and formed Frehley’s Comet. The group released a successful solo album in 1987. His separation from KISS proved to be temporary, however. Economic Times documented that Frehley rejoined KISS in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour and album. This reunion helped revitalize the band’s commercial success before he left again in 2002.
The financial sacrifice Frehley made in 1982 was substantial when adjusted for inflation. Parade reported that the $15 million contract he walked away from would be equivalent to roughly $100 million in today’s dollars. This figure underscores just how significant his decision was. Yet Frehley’s choice to prioritize his mental health over financial gain ultimately resonated with many fans and industry observers. They recognized that his well-being was worth far more than any contract.
