Meet the Kids of KISS (Including the Children Making Music Together, Just Like Their Dads!)
- - Meet the Kids of KISS (Including the Children Making Music Together, Just Like Their Dads!)
Nicole BrieseDecember 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
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Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty
ick Simmons, Gene Simmons and Sophie Tweed-Simmons ; Paul Stanley and Evan Stanley
The members of KISS have passed on their musical genes on to a whole new generation.
Between them, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Tommy Thayer and Vinnie Vincent share 12 kids.
“With each of my children ... it became clear to me that we only die physically because we are the product of the generations before us and we live on in the generations after us,” Stanley told Forbes in September 2018. “The children we create ultimately are the voices of us in the future.”
In December 2025, Paul’s son, Evan Stanley, teamed up with Gene’s son, Nick Simmons, to release their first single as Stanley Simmons. "We’ve grown up together. We’re essentially brothers, so we always thought we'd probably play together for fun at some point," Nick told PEOPLE in February 2025.
Their fathers are "very proud," Gene told the New York Post in March 2025.
Evan and Nick aren't the only children who are following in their parents' musical footsteps. Here's everything to know about the kids of the KISS members.
01 of 06
Gene Simmons’ 2 Kids
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Nick Simmons, Gene Simmons and Sophie Simmons
Gene shares two children, Nick and Sophie, with his wife Shannon Tweed-Simmons. Nick was born on Jan. 22, 1989, while Sophie arrived on July 7, 1992.
The KISS co-founder's children — who both appeared on their A&E reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels and the spinoff Shannon & Sophie — have both released music over the years.
After studying computer science at Pomona-Pitzer College, Sophie auditioned for The X-Factor in 2012. She was cut during the show's bootcamp, but has continued to release music, including several singles under her name. Sophie also wrote a song for Rick Ross, per Smashing Interviews.
“I was always writing songs my whole life, but it wasn’t something I considered doing as a career just because it was what my family did, and I didn’t want to be compared,” Sophie told PEOPLE in April 2018. “I wanted to be my own person. But you can’t help what you’re passionate [about]."
In February 2023, Sophie surprised Gene with a song she wrote for him during their father-daughter dance at her wedding to James Henderson called “Daddy's Girl."
In addition to her musical endeavors, Sophie has been involved with several clothing and accessories lines. She also founded Sophie's Place, a child advocacy center for "children and youth who report sexual or physical abuse,” at 18 years old, she told Smashing Interviews.
Nick, meanwhile, obtained a degree in English and world literature from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. After graduating, he published a three-issue comic book, Incarnate, and became a contributing writer for the Huffington Post, Vice, Esquire, Galore Magazine and Elite Daily.
In 2025, Nick released his first single with Evan.
“Evan picked up a guitar when we were hanging out, and we started humming some harmonies, and it was kind of an unexpected, magic moment. It all just snowballed from there,” he told PEOPLE of their collaboration. “One song turned into 10 real quick.”
Nick's music is "completely different" from his father's, Gene told Brutal Planet Media in February 2025.
"[The songs are] more sort of Pink Floyd, Radiohead kind of inspired music that’s been on TV shows and movies and stuff,” he said. “Neither of the two kids ever asked for my opinion ... which is how you want it to be.”
02 of 06
Paul Stanley’s 4 Kids
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Paul Stanley and his daughters; Paul Stanley and Evan Stanley
Paul is a father of four. He welcomed his son Evan with ex-wife Pamela Bowen Stanley on June 7, 1994. After his divorce, Paul married wife Erin Sutton, with whom he shares three children: Colin Michael Stanley, born on Sept. 6, 2006, Sarah Brianna Stanley, born on Jan. 28, 2009, and Emily Grace Stanley, born on Aug. 9, 2011.
“I have four amazing children,” he said in a September 2025 interview with AXS TV. “I’ll walk over to ... one of them and go, ‘I can’t believe you’re my child.’ ”
Evan studied music at New York University, where he graduated from in 2016. He and Nick released their first single, "Body Down," in 2025.
Colin, meanwhile, currently attends the University of Southern California, according to his Instagram bio. He's also passionate about basketball, with Paul telling host Howie Mandel during an August 2022 episode of his podcast, Howie Mandel Does Stuff that Colin "shoots baskets all day."
Colin also now shares Paul's iconic rose tattoo with his father. "WOW.. I'm so moved. My 18 year old son Colin who is everything I could ever hope, surprised me by telling me he wanted to honor me by having my tattoo on his arm," the KISS co-founder wrote on X in December 2024. "He was adamant & I am so moved and humbled. I love you so much Colin. I will always try to be worthy of your tribute."
Sarah, meanwhile, is a dancer. "My daughter Sarah KILLIN’ it at competition!❤️," Paul wrote on Instagram in March 2024.
Paul's youngest child, Emily, graduated from sixth grade in June 2024. "She is such an amazing girl and I'm so proud of her!" Paul wrote on Instagram. "A free spirit with beauty, brains and always caring about others. I LOVE YOU EM!!!"
All four of Paul's children attended the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors with him. "Couldn't be prouder," he wrote on Instagram. "More photos to come."
03 of 06
Ace Frehley’s Daughter
Ace Frehley/Instagram
Ace Frehley and his daughter Monica
Frehley shared daughter Monique Frehley with estranged wife Jeanette Trerotola.
Born in 1980, Monique had a major impact on Ace’s life, inspiring him to get sober in 2006.
“They all talk about alcoholics having that moment of clarity,” the guitarist explained to Blabbermouth in September 2018. “My daughter calls me up and goes, 'Dad, I'm not hearing good things about you.' I looked in the mirror and just said, 'Shit — she's right.' I've been sober ever since."
The musician also showed off a matching “Ace” tattoo that he got with his daughter in 2023. “Family ink, rock ‘n’ roll style!” he wrote on Instagram.
Frehley died in October 2025 following a fall at home.
04 of 06
Peter Criss’ Daughter
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Peter Criss
Peter's daughter Jenilee Criss — whom she shares with ex-wife Debra Jensen — was born on April 7, 1981, which he calls “the best day of my life.”
"We are very proud of her and love her to death," Peter wrote on his website in 2004.
Having left KISS one year prior to Jenilee’s birth, the drummer was a stay-at-home dad to Jenilee during her childhood.
“I was fortunate enough and wealthy enough to do nothing but raise her," he told Roanoke Times in October 1996. "I really got into family life. I really wanted to do the John Lennon thing. I admired him for taking the time out to do that."
Peter and Jenilee stayed close throughout her teenage years, with Criss telling the publication that they talked on the phone daily.
“My kid's a good kid,” he continued. “She learned through me and through friends of mine, drugs are a nowhere road, a nightmare. ... I trust her."
05 of 06
Tommy Thayer’s 2 Daughters
Tommy Thayer/Instagram
Tommy Thayer and his daughter Sierra; Tommy Thayer and his daughter
Thayer, who played guitar in KISS from 2002 to 2023, had a unique road to parenthood — he discovered that he was a father in the summer of 2020 through 23andMe. He announced his reunion with his daughter on Instagram.
“My daughter Sierra and I were blessed to find each other last summer. We’ve already spent a lot of time since getting to know each other and creating a close bond,” he wrote in March 2021. “She’s a beautiful, sincere person and I couldn’t be happier. I think she feels the same about me. The most wonderful thing about miracles is that they sometimes happen.”
Thayer opened up on the experience during a Hangin’ & Bangin’ podcast episode later that year. “A second cousin of mine was in contact with Sierra,” he explained. “She’s 31 years old. So this all took place, you know, ‘88, ‘89.”
He added: “It’s just a blessing ... it’s just the biggest thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”
The pair continued to grow their connection, with Sierra heading on the road with dad the following year. “Love having my daughter Sierra on tour with me,” Thayer wrote on Instagram in July 2022.
On Dec. 12, 2024, Sierra became a big sister with the addition of Tommy’s second daughter. The rocker announced her arrival with a sweet photo of himself holding a baby’s hand.
He shared a tribute to his daughter one year later, writing, “From the very first moment I held you, my heart became yours forever.. Happy 1st my little girl.”
06 of 06
Vinnie Vincent’s 2 Daughters
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Vinnie Vincent
Vincent is the father of twin girls, Elizabeth and Jessica Cusano, whom he shared with late ex-wife Annmarie Cusano.
According to the guitarist, who played his last show with KISS in 1984, his role as a father was a factor in leaving the band.
“My take-home pay was $550 a week, so I never made any money being in the band,” he said at a January 2018 KISS expo, per iHeart. “I had a family. I had twins ... and there was no money to take care of them, and there was no money to buy a home. We were living with relatives, and I was on call 24 hours a day ... there was no future."
Following his divorce from Annmarie, Vincent’s daughters moved to Shelton, Conn., with their mom. Tragically, Annmarie was murdered in 1998, when Elizabeth and Jessica were just 15 years old.
The twins took the stand in the trial against her murderer, Gregory McArthur, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Feb. 15, 2003, per the Hartford Courant.
“Today is for my mother," Elizabeth said during her mother's sentencing. "She can finally rest in peace."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
