Ace Frehley, KISS’ legendary founding lead guitarist, has died at age of 74. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s family said in a statement. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
The hard-rock icon had reportedly been on life support this week, stemming from an accidental fall he suffered at his home in September. His official Instagram page noted he’d be canceling a concert in Lancaster, California, later that month as a result of his health issues.
A cause of death has not been revealed, but according to TMZ, the guitarist suffered a brain bleed during the fall. He had reportedly been on a ventilator until the time of his death.
Born in Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, the future KISS guitarist was raised in the Bronx, and played in a number of early bands including the Outrage, the Four Roses, King Kong and Honey before hooking up with guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss in 1972.
In 1973, as they began playing around New York City as KISS, the group adopted their face-painted personas, Frehley placing silver stars over his eyes, earning him the nicknames of both the Spaceman and Space Ace.
Frehley initially played with KISS until 1982, contributing classic songs like “Cold Gin,” “Parasite” and “Shock Me,” the latter of which he’d sung lead on for 1977’s Love Gun. When KISS coordinated the release of the band members’ four solo albums in 1978, Frehley’s proved to sell the most, and included another signature song, “New York Groove.”
As KISS’ star rose in the Seventies, so did Frehley’s profile as a guitar hero, his playing going on to inspire everyone from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready to Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell.
Following a 14-year absence, Frehley rejoined KISS in 1996 for a successful reunion tour, which later produced 1998’s Psycho Circus album. He played with the group again until 2002, but did not participate in KISS’ “End of the Road” farewell world tour, which concluded in 2024. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2014, he was to be a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors with KISS this December.
Outside of KISS, Frehley released solo albums through the Eighties and up until 2024’s 10,000 Volts, which features guest appearances by Paul Stanley, Robin Zander and Bruce Kulick. He’d also released albums with Ace Frehley’s Comet.