KISS Crew Member Danny Francis Dies After Liver Cancer Fight

On Oct. 26, 2025, KISS frontman Paul Stanley confirmed the tragic news of the passing of his longtime friend and assistant, Danny Francis. In a heartfelt social media post, Stanley revealed that Francis had died after a brutal battle with liver cancer.

Francis had been a crucial part of KISS's touring operations for three decades, serving as the band's head of security and personal assistant. Beyond his work with KISS, he had also collaborated with other music legends such as Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Paul Rodgers, Bon Jovi, and Cher over the years.

In their joint statement, KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley expressed their devastation at the loss of Francis, describing him as an "essential and irreplaceable rock soldier" who was deeply loved and will forever be a part of the band's legacy. They also extended their condolences to Francis's family, including his wife Erin and Stanley's children, with whom he had developed close relationships.

The news of Francis's passing comes just days after the death of another KISS co-founder, Ace Frehley, who died at the age of 74 on Oct. 16, 2025. The music community has been deeply saddened by the loss of these two iconic figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the legacy of the legendary rock band.