Kiss’ Co-founder and Lead Guitarist Ace Frehley Passes Away at 74

Ace Frehley Passes Away

Ace Frehley, the iconic lead guitarist and a founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, has passed away. He died peacefully on Thursday, October 16, at the age of 74, surrounded by his family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall.

His family expressed their heartbreak and devastation in a statement, emphasizing that they would treasure the joy and kindness he infused into the lives of others.

Kiss became famous for their theatrical performances, complete with elaborate costumes, pyrotechnics, and hit songs like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” The original band line-up included Frehley, vocalist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss, making Frehley’s passing the first among the four founding members.

The Persona of “Space Ace”

Each band member embodied unique personas, with Frehley famously dubbed “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” Born in New York, he was a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer who intrigued audiences with his innovative use of pyrotechnics that made his guitars glow, emit smoke, and even shoot rockets.

“We are heartbroken by Ace Frehley’s passing,” said Simmons and Stanley in a joint statement. “He played an essential role in shaping the band and will forever be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he began playing guitar at age 13 and previously performed with local bands before joining Kiss. He even served as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at just 18 years old.

Kiss’s Legacy in Music

Kiss skyrocketed to fame during the mid-1970s, selling millions of albums. Their biggest hit in the U.S. was “Beth,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976. The band’s theatrical aesthetic also made them a marketing phenomenon.

Notably, in 2024, the band sold their catalog and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment for an estimated $300 million.

Frehley had a tumultuous relationship with Stanley and Simmons over the years, leaving the band in 1982. There were even discussions about replacing him with Eddie Van Halen. However, he returned in the mid-1990s for a celebrated reunion.

Influence on Future Generations

Frehley’s influence extended to heavier bands like Metallica and Pantera, and even country star Garth Brooks collaborated with the band on a recording of “Hard Luck Woman” for a compilation in 1994.

In recent years, Frehley made occasional appearances with Kiss. A concert in 2023 at Madison Square Garden was labeled as potentially the band’s last. While Stanley and Simmons are hesitant to tour, they remain active in promoting the band’s music and merchandise.