Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died Thursday. He was 74.
According to his agent, Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall.
His family shared that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken,” but they will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.
Kiss has produced numerous hits including “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” They were renowned for their theatrical stage shows, featuring fire and fake blood spewing from members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs, and their iconic black-and-white face paint.
Frehley was a core member of the original lineup alongside singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss. His death marks the first loss among the founding members of the band.
The guitarist, known as “Space Ace” or “The Spaceman,” was celebrated for his dynamic stage presence, often using pyrotechnics that made his guitar glow, emit smoke, and even shoot rockets from the headstock.
The band expressed their sorrow via a joint statement from Simmons and Stanley, stating, “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he began playing guitar at the age of 13 in a musical family. Before joining Kiss, he played in various local bands in New York City and served as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at 18.
Kiss achieved massive popularity in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and building a formidable brand. The hit “Beth” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1976.
In 2024, the band sold their catalog and intellectual property to Pophouse Entertainment Group in a transaction exceeding $300 million.
The band had conflicts over the years, leading to Frehley’s departure in 1982 before rejoining for a successful reunion in the mid-1990s. Despite differences, his influence shaped many glam rock bands of the 1980s.
Frehley’s talent and contributions to rock will be remembered by fans and musicians alike, with even country star Garth Brooks joining in recording a Kiss classic.
He last performed with Kiss in a concert at Madison Square Garden. While Stanley and Simmons have announced they won’t tour again, there's potential for future performances as they continue promoting the band’s music.
