Legendary Kiss rockers Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are currently facing another lawsuit. The “Rock and Roll All Nite” hitmakers are blamed for the death of one of their crew members.
Kiss: Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons Lawsuit
Founding members of the 1970s rock band Kiss, Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons, are in some legal hot water. Per TMZ reports, the band members are being sued by the family of a member of their road crew who reportedly contracted COVID and passed away two days later.
The family members of Kiss’ former guitar tech, Francis Stueber, state that in August 2021, Paul Stanley contracted COVID-19. They add soon after, the virus spread through the band and crew members.
The lawsuit states that Stueber’s family alleges that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are to blame for spreading the virus due to the lax safety policies.
Family Blames Kiss Founders Over Lax Policies
They say that Francis was left untreated by medical personnel despite Doc’s promises to arrange for a medical examination. Instead of sending in professional medical care, the court papers say that Doc McGhee asked another crew member to check in on Francis at the hotel.
Unfortunately, by the time the person arrived, the court documents state that Francis Stueber was already dead. This was just two days after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kiss Crew Members Speak Out
Annynonmous crew members and roadies reportedly blasted the band following Francis Stueber’s death. According to Rolling Stone reports in October 2021, unnamed Kiss’ road crew members stated they felt that lax and “unsafe” COVID protocols played a part in Steuber’s death.
Kiss Issues Statement
“Our End of the Road World Tour absolutely had Covid safety protocols in place that met, but most often exceeded, federal, state, and local guidelines,” the band says. “But ultimately, this is still a global pandemic, and there is simply no foolproof way to tour without some element of risk.”
“While the protocols were in place for the tour. It was impossible to police the crew minute by minute of their lives,” the band added. “If certain crew chose to go out to dinner on a day off, or have beers at a local bar after the show, and did so without a mask or without following protocols, there is little that anyone can do to stop that. Particularly when many of our tour markets did not have any state or local mask mandates in place.”
Out of Their Control?
“We are now aware there were crew members who attempted to conceal signs of illness, and when it was discovered. Refused medical attention,” they added. “Furthermore, it has recently been brought to our attention that certain crew members may have provided fake vaccination cards. If true, we find morally reprehensible (as well as illegal), putting the entire tour in harm’s way.”
Good morning to everyone but @genesimmons, who said in a podcast with @SteveHarkins15 that:
▪️ "We got to identify those [unvaccinated] people and bring them out into the open—so you know who they are."
▪️ "If you're willing to walk among us unvaccinated, you are an enemy." pic.twitter.com/eQ6HvAxiGG— Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) October 4, 2023
At this time, TMZ states that Francis Stueber’s family is going after Kiss members Gene Simmons Paul Stanley. As well as band manager Doc McGhee, the Marriott hotels, and Live Nations for damages.
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