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, passed away Thursday. He was 74.
Frehley died peacefully, surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.
Family members shared that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.
Kiss, known for theatrical stage performances, included hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” The band was iconic for fire and fake blood on stage, with members clad in unique costumes and signature makeup.
Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and was celebrated for his innovative pyrotechnics that made his instruments glow and even shoot rockets.
“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” said fellow band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in a joint statement. “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative chapters of the band and its history. He is and always will be a part of KISS’s legacy.”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13. Before KISS, he worked with various local bands and even served as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix.
Frehley’s contributions were vast, influencing the glam metal movement of the 1980s and inspiring bands like Mötley Crüe and Poison. “Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,” wrote Poison's front man Bret Michaels on Instagram.
Frehley leaves behind a lasting impact on rock music, with many artists paying homage to his unique style and sound. He leaves a rich legacy within KISS and the broader rock community, which will remember him for his extraordinary talent and unparalleled charisma.
