Paul Stanley is mourning the death of Fran Stueber, his longtime guitar tech, who died over the weekend from COVID-19. He was 52.
Stanley wrote via Twitter, “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. My family loved him as did I. He was so proud of his wife and 3 boys as they were of him. I’m numb.”
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. My family loved him as did I. He was so proud of his wife and 3 boys as they were of him. I’m numb. pic.twitter.com/RvwUGpFt0X
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 17, 2021
Blabbermouth noted, “Stueber has worked on all KISS and Stanley solo tours and one-off shows since 2002.” In addition to Stanley and KISS, Stueber also worked with The Offspring, Heart and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon.
Stueber’s death occurred even though KISS had publically detailed its COVID protocols. After Stanley tested positive for COVID-19 in August, the band issued a statement that said, “Everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully vaccinated. The band and their crew have operated in a bubble independently to safeguard everyone as much as possible at each show and in between shows. The tour also has a COVID safety protocol officer on staff full-time that is ensuring everyone is closely following all CDC guidelines.”