KISS guitar icon Ace Frehley dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the guitarist who brought cosmic swagger to KISS and helped launch the band into rock legend status, has died at age 74.

His family confirmed that he passed away on October 16 after being placed on a ventilator following a brain hemorrhage.

Frehley’s family released a statement mourning the loss:

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken… We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness… The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions.”

Background

Known to fans as “Space Ace,” Frehley was one of the four founding members of KISS, joining Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss in 1972.

With his guitar solos, sci-fi stage persona, and signature silver makeup, Frehley became a standout in a band known for pushing theatrical boundaries.

His influence helped define rock staples like “Detroit Rock City” and “Shock Me.”

Tributes From the KISS Family

Bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley paid tribute, calling Frehley “irreplaceable” and “an essential rock soldier during KISS’ most formative chapters.”

They added, “He is and will always be a part of KISS’ legacy.”

Frehley left the band in the early 1980s but later returned for their iconic 1996 reunion tour. His solo career, especially with Frehley’s Comet, proved his talent was no stage gimmick.

His 1978 hit “New York Groove” is still one of the most beloved songs of the KISS era.

A Final Encore

Born in the Bronx, Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 and released his final album, 10,000 Volts, in 2024.

“I never set my sights low,” Frehley once wrote, according to Newsner. “I’ve always believed most people are ruined by the limitations they put on themselves.”

He is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, and extended family.

This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation