Thursday, October 16, is a sad day in the music world. Legendary guitarist Ace Frehley from KISS passed away at the age of 74. He was surrounded by his family at the end of his life, and they shared the news. Unfortunately, Frehley had not been well prior to his death, as he had suffered a fall several weeks ago in his home studio. This prompted him to cancel all remaining shows in 2025.
Ace Frehley, the Spaceman of KISS
Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, in New York. He fell in love with guitar playing at a young age and was a member of several bands throughout high school. Eventually, he dropped out of school to pursue playing paid gigs.
In the early 70s, he met Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss at Live Bait Bar. By 1973, KISS was born. Frehley adopted the Spaceman persona, donning silver, black, and white makeup. Ace Frehley would go on to play with the band until 1982. He returned to tour with them in 1996, then stayed on until 2002.
Ace Frehley Post KISS
In the 1980s, Ace Frehley recorded a solo album, “Frehley’s Comet,” which garnered positive reviews. Eddie Trunk of “That Metal Show” and TeamRock called it one of the albums that “changed his life.”
Frehley got around quite a bit. He collaborated with many musicians, playing alongside the likes of Rob Zombie, Slash, Gilby Clarke, Scott Ian, and Tommy Lee at the VH1 Rock Honors.
Ace Frehley’s Family Remembers Him
Frehley’s family made a statement after he passed away at their Morristown, New Jersey home. It read:
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.
It was a beautiful statement honoring an incredible guitarist. Although Ace Frehley may have soared off into space, his music will live here on earth forever.
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