KISS Lawsuit Over Guitar Tech’s COVID-19 Death Reaches Tentative Settlement
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A tentative settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit brought against the rock band KISS and associated parties following the COVID-19 related death of Fran Steuber, a longtime guitar technician for Paul Stanley, during the band’s 2021 “End of the Road World Tour.” The agreement, reached on Monday, brings a potential close to a case that raised questions about safety protocols during the pandemic era of live music.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2023 in Santa Monica Superior Court, named Stanley, Gene Simmons, KISS’ manager Doc McGhee, and tour promoter Live Nation as defendants. Catherine Stueber, the widow of the late Fran Steuber, served as the lead plaintiff in the case. Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed court papers with Judge Lisa K. Sepe-Wiesenfeld, indicating a “conditional” accord and anticipating a request for dismissal by Oct. 17. The specific terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
Allegations of Insufficient Safety Measures
According to the initial suit, Steuber contracted the coronavirus in October 2021. The plaintiffs’ case drew support from a media report following Steuber’s death, in which three anonymous crew members alleged insufficient safety precautions were in place during the tour. These crew members, speaking under the condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, reportedly placed “the blame for Steuber’s death squarely on tour production.”
KISS’ Defense: Protocol Violation and Refusal of Care
However, legal counsel for KISS presented a contrasting narrative. They asserted that the 53-year-old Steuber violated the written coronavirus protocols established for the “End of the Road” tour by submitting a falsified vaccination card. Furthermore, the defense claimed that Steuber declined to seek medical attention after contracting COVID-19, despite repeated encouragement from both band members and tour officials.
“The band and tour management repeatedly urged Mr. Steuber to seek medical care,” a senior official stated. “His refusal to do so, coupled with the submission of fraudulent documentation, significantly complicated the situation.”
The case highlights the complex legal and ethical challenges faced by live entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding the responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of touring personnel. While the settlement avoids a potentially lengthy and public trial, it leaves unanswered questions about the extent to which tour organizers are liable for individual choices made by crew members regarding their health and adherence to safety guidelines. The dismissal request expected by Oct. 17 will formally conclude this chapter, but the broader implications for concert safety protocols will likely continue to be debated.
