What happened to the Kiss guitar tech who died from COVID-19?

The family of Francis Stueber, a Kiss guitar tech who died from COVID-19 while on the band's 2021 tour, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the band and concert promoter Live Nation. The lawsuit alleged negligence and lack of proper safety measures, but the case has now been settled.

How did the Kiss band respond to the allegations?

The band refuted the allegations, stating that their safety protocols "met, but most often exceeded, federal, state, and local guidelines." They acknowledged the inherent risks of touring during the pandemic, saying "there is simply no foolproof way to tour without some element of risk."

What was the outcome of the lawsuit?

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Stueber's family was officially dismissed by the court on November 6, 2025, following a "conditional settlement" between the parties. The terms of the private settlement were not disclosed.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Kiss Roadie's Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Band

Kiss Roadie's Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Band

6 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Lawsuit over roadie's COVID-19 death on Kiss tour settled
Band refuted allegations of lax COVID protocols
Roadie's widow and family filed lawsuit in 2023

Kiss Roadie's Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Band

In a recent development, the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a Kiss guitar tech who died from COVID-19 while on the band's 2021 End of the Road World Tour has been settled. The lawsuit, filed in October 2023 by the widow and family members of Francis Stueber, alleged negligence and lack of proper safety measures by the band and concert promoter Live Nation.

Stueber, who had worked as the guitar tech for Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley for 20 years, passed away on October 17, 2021, just two days after being "abandoned" alone in a hotel room as his COVID-19 symptoms worsened. The lawsuit claimed the band had "absolutely no recommendation, information, policies, procedures, or safety measures of any kind" to deal with staff who contracted the virus on the road.

However, the band refuted the allegations, stating that its safety protocols "met, but most often exceeded, federal, state, and local guidelines." They acknowledged that the pandemic presented inherent risks, saying "there is simply no foolproof way to tour without some element of risk."