KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have reached a settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by their longtime hairstylist David Mathews, who worked with the band for over 30 years.

The lawsuit, which was set for jury trial this month, centered around claims that Mathews was fired in 2022 after voicing concerns about unsafe working conditions during the COVID pandemic. Specifically, he reported being required to work in close proximity to band members even when they displayed illness symptoms.

Key aspects of the lawsuit included:

• Mathews' claims about working closely with Gene Simmons while he was visibly sick
• Allegations that his termination was retaliatory
• His account of the death of Francis S. Stueber, KISS's guitar tech, who died while quarantining in 2021

The settlement terms remain confidential, following Judge Armen Tamzarian's encouragement for both parties to reach an agreement due to "very serious risks" for all involved if the case proceeded to trial.

The band still faces a separate wrongful death lawsuit from Stueber's family, who claim KISS ignored safety protocols and failed to provide proper medical assistance when he became ill.

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