KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with their former hairstylist David Mathews, who worked with the band for over 30 years before being fired in 2022.

The lawsuit, which was set for a jury trial, was resolved Monday when attorneys from both sides informed a Los Angeles judge of their settlement. The terms remain confidential.

Mathews claimed he was terminated after expressing concerns about COVID-19 safety protocols, specifically noting instances where he was required to work closely with band members who showed visible illness symptoms. He alleged that Gene Simmons continued working while "coughing and blowing his nose in the dressing room."

This case connects to a broader controversy involving KISS's COVID-19 practices. The band currently faces a separate wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Francis S. Stueber, their longtime guitar tech who died in 2021 while quarantining in a hotel room. The family alleges the band ignored safety protocols and failed to provide necessary medical assistance.

Mathews' lawsuit included his account of Stueber's death, stating he had urged band management to hospitalize Stueber. When Rolling Stone published the story, Mathews claims the band accused him of leaking information, which he denied.

Judge Armen Tamzarian had encouraged settlement, noting "very serious risks" for both parties if the case proceeded to trial.

Related Articles

Previous Articles