KISS Sued Over Longtime Guitar Tech’s Death

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: (L-R) Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Eric Singer of KISS attend the Tribeca Festival screening of “Biography: KISStory” at Battery Park on June 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for A&E)

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are reportedly being sued over the death of one of their longtime guitar techs.

Francis Stueber, who had been with Kiss for more than 20 years, passed away in 2021 after contracting COVID-19 during the band’s “End of the Road” World Tour.

Stueber’s widow has now filed a lawsuit claiming both negligence and wrongful death. She is seeking damages from Simmons and Stanley, their longtime manager Doc McGhee, the tour’s promoter Live Nation, and hotel chain Marriott International.

The suit claims Stueber contracted COVID-19 while in Detroit and was “abandoned” at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton to quarantine as part of their protocol. Stueber reportedly contacted McGhee as he became sicker, with McGee promising to arrange for medical personnel to check in on the technician and failing to do so.

Stueber died just two days after he tested positive for the virus.

In a statement, the group said: “Everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully vaccinated. The band and their crew have operated in a bubble independently to safeguard everyone as much as possible at each show and in between shows. The tour also has a COVID safety protocol officer on staff full-time that is ensuring everyone is closely following all CDC guidelines.”

At the time, Stanley shared his condolences for Stueber on Twitter.

 

Win!

Stay connected

 

Subscribe to The Bone's weekly eblast to get the latest on contests, events and exclusives from your favorite 107.7 personalities and artists.

Headlines

49ers thoughts as calendar turns

As the calendar turns to August, a new climb is underway in Santa Clara. Up off the mat come your 2024 San Francisco 49ers. Wounds, both physical and emotional, have healed and are healing. Opening kickoff is 40 days away, a six week crawl that may only be magnified by the perpetual mediocrity of the…

Listen to Soundwaves FM #118 – 5/18/24

Celebrating the Bay Area rock scene … past, present and future! Hosted by Dennis Willis. Originally broadcast on 107.7 The Bone on May 18, 2024 MUSICIANS – SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC HERE: https://www.1077thebone.com/soundwaves/ PLAYLIST: Destroy Boys – “Plucked” Earth Quake – “Everywhere I Go” Eric Martin Band – “Sucker for a Pretty Face” Swamphammer – “Voodoo…