PAUL STANLEY To NIKKI SIXX: 'Get Off Your Self-Inflated Pedestal'

Paul Stanley has rushed to the defense of his KISS bandmate Gene Simmons after Nikki Sixx slammed Gene over the KISS bassist's statement that the death of Prince, allegedly from a drug overdose, was "pathetic."

Last week, Simmons received backlash from friends, family and fans after insinuating that Prince died from a drug overdose. The MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX:A.M. bassist also ripped Simmons on Twitter, saying his "recent heartless and uneducated remarks about Prince's death shows why he's not my hero anymore or anybody's." Sixx elaborated on his criticism of Simmons on his nationally syndicated radio show "Sixx Sense". He said: "I think that [Gene] is [an] overrated, lucky guy that dresses like a clown. [He] wrote some good songs, [but] hasn't in a long time, and loves to brag about himself."

Last night, Stanley took to his Facebook page to address Sixx's comments. He wrote: "Jesus Christ, Nikki Sixx! Would you please shut up, find another way to be in the news and get off your self-inflated pedestal?

"Regardless of some things Gene Simmons has said that I may take issue with, his influence on musicians (you included) is undeniable and will continue. More importantly, his work, generosity and monetary contributions to numerous causes and charities for those less fortunate makes your ongoing rant, in the scheme of things, the unimportant but annoying squeak it truly is.

"Move on."

Stanley's remarks prompted a quick response from Sixx, who wrote on Facebook: "Looks like good old Paul doesn't like that someone called out his buddy Gene again...I will give him a standing ovation for calling out Gene himself publicly and then trying to hold my feet to the same fire, but you can't save him. If the press wants to run with a story, they got legs and we all know they need fresh content. I have to admit calling the next KISS album 'Move On' would be a clever idea though...Love to the Starchild."

He added: "We all give to charities and support our troops etc because that the right thing to do with our success.Telling a depressed kid to kill themselves etc etc etc etc is not... So don't confuse issues."

After Simmons's original comments about Prince were first published, Stanley denounced his bandmate's "cold, clueless" statement on Twitter, saying that he was "embarrassed" by Simmons's remarks and offering his apologies.

Simmons last week took to Twitter to clarify his remarks about Prince. He explained: "I apologize — I have a long history of getting very angry at what drugs do to the families/friends of the addicts. I get angry at drug users because of my experience being around them coming up in the rock scene."