The legal battle surrounding the tragic death of Kiss's long-time guitar technician, Francis Stueber, has come to an end. A court official confirmed the case's dismissal following a conditional settlement between the deceased's estate and the rock legends Kiss, in conjunction with Live Nation.
Stueber's family filed the lawsuit after he succumbed to Covid-19 while in quarantine during the band’s 'End of the Road World Tour' in 2021. On Wednesday, the court sealed the case, with a hearing previously scheduled for November 7 now canceled. The details of the settlement remain confidential, and representatives from both the family and the band have yet to comment publicly.
Francis Stueber, who was 53 at the time of his untimely passing on October 17, 2021, had faithfully served as Paul Stanley's guitar tech for two decades. Stanley, devastated by the loss, shared his emotional tribute on social media, captioning a photo, "My dear friend, buddy, and guitar tech for 20 years, Fran Stueber, died yesterday suddenly of Covid. Both on and offstage I depended on him for so much." He highlighted Stueber’s pride in his family, leaving behind a wife and three sons.
Stueber's widow, Catherine, alongside other family members, initiated the wrongful death suit against Kiss bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, manager Doc McGee, and promoter Live Nation. The lawsuit accused them of negligence, claiming Stueber was "abandoned" in a hotel room without adequate safety measures or support as his condition worsened.
The case gained traction following a Rolling Stone investigation that revealed alleged lax Covid-19 protocols in place during the tour. Several roadies shared their concerns, citing inadequate testing and safety procedures. "I couldn’t believe how unsafe it was, and that we were still going," one roadie recalled. "We’d been frustrated for weeks, and by the time Fran died, I just thought, 'You have to be kidding me.'"
Kiss, however, defended their actions, asserting that their safety measures exceeded federal, state, and local guidelines. "Ultimately, this is still a global pandemic, and there is simply no foolproof way to tour without some element of risk," the band stated.
Previously, Kiss settled another lawsuit regarding wrongful termination brought by David Mathews, the band’s wig stylist in 2021. Mathews had reportedly warned the band's management about Stueber's worsening condition, yet alleged no timely action was taken.
The resolution of Stueber's case marks a somber closure to a series of legal challenges faced by the iconic band in recent times.