Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and founding member of KISS, has died at the age of 74.
The news of his passing comes only hours after TMZ reported that Frehley had been hospitalized and placed on life support following a brain bleed caused by a fall in his home studio a couple of weeks ago.
Family Confirms Frehley’s Passing
Frehley’s family released a heartfelt statement to Variety, expressing their deep sorrow and honoring the musician’s life and legacy.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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 Spaceman’s Legacy
Known as The Spaceman, Ace Frehley was one of the key architects of KISS’s iconic sound and image. His distinctive guitar tone, explosive solos, and larger-than-life stage presence helped shape the band’s identity during their rise to superstardom in the 1970s.
Frehley played on many of the band’s most iconic albums, including Destroyer (1976), Love Gun (1977), and the legendary live album Alive! (1975). His 1978 self-titled solo album — one of four released by KISS members that year — became a fan favorite and produced the hit single “New York Groove.”
A Complicated but Unbreakable Bond with KISS
Though Frehley’s time in KISS was marked by lineup changes, creative tensions, and long absences, his influence never faded. He departed the band in 1982 but returned for their massive 1996 reunion tour, donning the Spaceman makeup once again to perform for sold-out crowds around the world.
Even after his final departure from KISS, Frehley maintained a successful solo career, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Anomaly (2009) and Spaceman (2018), proving his staying power as one of rock’s true guitar heroes.
Tributes Pour In
While official statements from his former bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have yet to be released at the time of writing, tributes from fellow musicians and fans have begun flooding social media.
Many are celebrating Ace as a pioneer of hard rock guitar, whose mix of showmanship, humor, and technical skill inspired generations of musicians.
“Ace Frehley was the sound that made kids want to pick up guitars,” one fan wrote on X. “Without him, there’s no KISS the way we know it.”
Remembering Ace Frehley
Beyond the makeup and the mythos, Frehley was known for his wit, humility, and deep love for music. His career spanned five decades — from smoky New York clubs to packed arenas across the globe — and his influence on the world of rock remains immeasurable.
Ace Frehley leaves behind a towering legacy as both a founding member of one of rock’s biggest bands and as a solo artist who always marched to the beat of his own guitar.
He may have left this earth, but The Spaceman’s riffs, humor, and unmistakable swagger will live on forever.
