Over the last four decades, despite pursuing distinctly different musical journeys, founding Kiss members Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley have surprisingly adopted similar patterns in their set lists during recent solo tours. This similarity showcases their enduring connection to their iconic band while allowing for personal expression in their performances.

Since departing from Kiss in the early 1980s, Frehley has maintained a consistent touring schedule and has released an impressive nine studio albums. He briefly reunited with Kiss for a five-year stint beginning in 1996. In contrast, Simmons remained actively involved with Kiss until their retirement from touring in 2023, only beginning his occasional solo tours in 2017. This difference in their trajectories has shaped their current musical offerings.

A close examination of the average set lists from both Simmons and Frehley during their recent tours highlights notable similarities. Typically, during a performance, Simmons includes nine Kiss tracks, which is one or three songs less than Frehley, depending on whether you classify tracks from Frehley’s 1978 solo album—released while he was still part of the band—as solo songs or as part of Kiss’s legacy.

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Moreover, both legendary musicians consistently feature five of the same Kiss classics in their sets: “Parasite,” “Cold Gin,” “Deuce,” “Shout It Out Loud,” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Notably, Frehley wrote the first two tracks, although they were performed by Simmons on the original 1974 albums, Kiss and Hotter Than Hell. This shared repertoire reflects their historical collaboration and mutual respect for each other’s contributions.

During his 2024 tour, Simmons typically performed two songs from his solo discography. Despite having a far more extensive solo catalog, this number matches the average that Frehley showcases from his post-Kiss solo albums, which pales in comparison to the twelve tracks derived from his former band’s classics. In addition, Simmons has been known to incorporate covers from iconic bands like Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and Motorhead into his recent performances, further diversifying his musical repertoire.

The selections from Simmons‘ Kiss catalog also reveal a strong connection to his era with Frehley. Remarkably, of the nine Kiss tracks he performs, only one—1982’s “I Love It Loud”—originates from after Frehley‘s departure. Even though Frehley does not play on the track, he appears in its video and on the cover of the album, Creatures of the Night, due to contractual obligations, emphasizing his lasting legacy within the band.

Given these similarities, one might wonder, “Why don’t Ace and Gene tour together?” In fact, they did collaborate on a short tour in Australia in 2018, which was so successful that Frehley ended up integrating Simmons‘ touring band into his own. However, considering their history of breaking up due to creative differences and personal conflicts, as well as their occasional public disputes, it may be wise for these two Kiss icons to maintain separate touring paths.

So, who delivers the superior set list? It’s a challenging determination, as both artists largely draw from the same influential period of Kiss‘ career. Simmons appears to relish the freedom of performing without the weight of his signature leather and metal attire or the constraints of a meticulously timed set aligned with Kiss’s dramatic stage effects. Additionally, his choice of cover songs adds a refreshing twist to his performances.

Conversely, the limited selection of solo tracks that Frehley performs each night includes some of the most memorable and impactful works associated with Kiss. Fans are encouraged to attend both shows and form their own opinions on who puts on the better performance!

Average 2024 Set List for Gene Simmons‘ Band

1. “Deuce”
2. “War Machine”
3. “Are You Ready” (from Gene Simmons Vault, 2017)
4. “I Love It Loud”
5. “Shout It Out Loud”
6. “House of Pain” (cover by Van Halen)
7. “Communication Breakdown” (cover by Led Zeppelin)
8. “Ace of Spades” (cover by Motorhead)
9. “Weapons of Mass Destruction” (from Asshole, 2004)
10. “Charisma”
11. “Parasite”
12. “Cold Gin”
13. “Calling Dr. Love”
14. “Rock and Roll All Nite”

Watch the Gene Simmons Band Perform ‘Shout It Out Loud’

Average 2025 Set List for Ace Frehley

1. “Shock Me”
2. “Deuce”
3. “Cherry Medicine” (from 10,000 Volts, 2024)
4. “Rock Soldiers” (from Frehley’s Comet, 1987)
5. “Love Gun”
6. “Rocket Ride”
7. “Parasite”
8. “Detroit Rock City”
9. “Rip It Out”
10. Blues Jam
11. “She”
12. “New York Groove”
13. “Cold Gin”
14. Guitar Solo
15. “Shout It Out Loud”
16. “Rock and Roll All Nite”

via SetList.fm

Watch Ace Frehley Perform ‘Shout It Out Loud’

Simmons is set to embark on a nine-date tour starting May 2 in Peachtree City, Georgia. Simultaneously, Frehley and his band will perform at the Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, New Jersey. For updates on the touring schedules of these Kiss legends, visit GeneSimmons.com and AceFrehley.com.