KISS Sued For Wrongful COVID Death By Guitar Tech's Widow

KISS are being sued for wrongful COVID death and negligence by Catherine Stueber, the widow of the band’s longtime guitar tech, Fran Stueber, who died while the band were touring in 2021.

Catherine Stueber and family members lead the lawsuit, which has named the following as defendants: KISS’s Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, as well as band manager Doc McGhee, tour promoter Live Nation and the Marriott International hotel chain.

Fran Stueber died in October 2021 after being sent to hotel quarantine while in Detroit. Catherine Stueber’s lawsuit alleges that, as obtained by Rolling Stone, “the failure to enforce or have adequate COVID-19 policies or procedures caused a COVID-19 outbreak amongst band members and tour personnel.”

The lawsuit continued, “As a direct and proximate result of the dangerous condition created by Defendants, Decedent suffered fatal injuries, and Plaintiffs suffered damages, including, but not limited to funeral and burial expenses, the permanent deprivation of the love companionship, affection solace, society, comfort, assistance, services and financial contributions, and moral support of Decedent in an amount according to proof at trial.”

Per Catherine Stueber’s lawsuit, McGhee was contacted to send Fran some help while he was in hotel quarantine, but instead of sending medical professionals, McGhee allegedly sent a tour crew member to the hotel room. The tour crew member couldn’t reach Fran Stueber in the hotel room, and by the time police arrived, Stueber was found unresponsive.

On Saturday, 30 September, KISS headlined the pre-game entertainment for the AFL Grand Final. KISS were announced as the AFL pre-game entertainment headliners a month after Crowded House pulled out of the headlining slot.

In August, it was reported that the AFL had worked diligently for months to try and book Crowded House for the coveted pre-game entertainment slot. However, the Herard Sun also reported on rumours that KISS could potentially step up and rock the halftime show.

KISS played their final Australian show earlier this month. Taking over Sydney’s Accor Stadium, The Music reviewer Mark Hebblewhite commented on their performance, “This was an incredible experience, and even though KISS are now bonafide senior citizens, they retained a power and vitality that was truly jaw-dropping.”