Kiss members, from left: Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons at the Grammy Awards in 1996. (Reuters)
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and a founding member of the legendary rock band Kiss, has died at 74.
The musician passed away peacefully on Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by family. His agent confirmed the news, saying the rocker’s death followed a recent fall.
In a statement, Frehley’s family said they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will forever remember his laughter and kindness.
The Man Behind the Makeup
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx, New York, the future rock icon grew up in a musical family. At 13, he received an electric guitar as a Christmas gift — a moment that changed his life.
He never took formal lessons, instead teaching himself by listening to records from his heroes — Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. By his teenage years, he was already playing in local bands and earning his famous nickname “Ace” for his charm and charisma.
Paul Daniel Frehley (Ace Frehley) Getty Images
The Birth of a Rock Phenomenon
In 1972, Frehley’s life took a defining turn. A friend spotted an ad in The Village Voice looking for a lead guitarist. Frehley auditioned wearing mismatched sneakers — one red, one orange — but stunned the band with his electrifying performance.
That group became Kiss, formed with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. The foursome adopted their now-iconic alter egos: Simmons as “The Demon,” Stanley as “Starchild,” Criss as “Catman,” and Frehley as “Space Ace” — a cosmic persona that perfectly matched his fiery guitar solos.
Kiss burst onto the rock scene in the early 1970s with a mix of explosive pyrotechnics, black-and-white makeup, and outrageous costumes. Their shows featured smoking guitars, fireworks, and even fake blood — redefining what a live concert could be.
Stardom and Struggles
Kiss gained fame with hits like Rock and Roll All Nite and I Was Made for Lovin’ You. Their albums sold tens of millions of copies, and their brand became a pop culture empire, from toys to comic books.
In 1978, all four members released solo albums. Frehley’s record, featuring his hit cover of “New York Groove,” was hailed by many fans as the standout.
But fame came with friction. Frehley left Kiss in 1982, stepping away from the group’s makeup-free era. During his time away, he launched a successful solo career, performing under his own name and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.
A Triumphant Return
The 1990s saw a new generation of rock bands — like Nirvana, Weezer, and the Melvins — cite Kiss as an influence. In 1996, the original four members reunited for a blockbuster world tour. Frehley’s return marked a powerful moment for fans who had waited years to see the “Spaceman” back on stage.
He remained with Kiss until 2002, playing a vital role in restoring the band’s classic sound and style. In 2014, Frehley and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their status as one of the most influential acts in music history.
Kiss member Ace Frehley is shown in April 2014, after the rock band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Reuters)
Remembering the Spaceman
Bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons released a joint tribute after Frehley’s passing. “We are devastated by the loss of Ace Frehley,” they said. “He was an irreplaceable rock soldier during the most defining years of Kiss. He will always be part of our legacy.”
Frehley’s death marks the first among Kiss’s four original members.
His groundbreaking guitar work, his playful stage persona, and his signature smoking guitar will forever remain symbols of rock’s golden era.
As his family and fans mourn, Ace Frehley’s legacy lives on — in every riff, every pyrotechnic spark, and every fan still painting their face like the Spaceman.
