KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with their former hairstylist David Mathews, who alleged unsafe working conditions during the COVID pandemic.

Mathews, who served as the band's wig stylist for over 30 years, was terminated in 2022 after repeatedly voicing concerns about the band's COVID safety protocols. He specifically noted being required to work in close proximity to band members while they were visibly ill, including instances where Simmons was "coughing and blowing his nose in the dressing room."

The settlement was reached just before a scheduled jury trial, with Los Angeles Judge Armen Tamzarian having urged both parties to reach an agreement due to "very serious risks" for both sides. The terms of the settlement remain confidential.

This case connects to a broader ongoing legal challenge facing KISS - a 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, claiming he had urged band management to seek hospital care for Stueber.

The settlement marks the end of one of several COVID-related legal challenges facing the legendary rock band, though the Stueber wrongful death lawsuit remains ongoing.

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