KISS Honors Ace Frehley With Emotional Tribute at First Show Since His Death
It was a somber night in Las Vegas as rock legends KISS took the stage. It was the first time since the tragic passing in October of their original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley. The band, known for their larger-than-life performances, paused to deliver a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotional tribute to their fallen brother.
KISS Pauses Their Show
Frontman Paul Stanley, addressing a crowd of loyal fans holding candles, set a rare, reflective tone for the evening. “Obviously, before we get going — and we’re going to have an awesome time — we just wanted to take a moment to think about somebody who was at the foundation of this band,” Stanley began, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and respect. He continued:
“We’re talking about Ace. We certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about.”
Stanley then asked the audience for a moment of silence, a powerful pause in a show typically defined by explosive sound.
The performance was part of the “KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas” event, which took place just a month after Frehley’s death. The unexpected news of his passing on October 16 at the age of 74 rocked the music community. “The Spaceman,” as Frehley was affectionately known, was a true original. He was a self-taught guitarist whose fiery licks and “cosmic persona” truly helped define the very essence of KISS.
The Life and Legacy of Guitarist Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley wasn’t merely a guitarist; he was a force of nature. His history with KISS began in 1973, with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. Together, the four created a rock spectacle of both music and theatrics that the world had never seen. They churned out iconic and powerful anthems like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.”
Frehley’s signature silver makeup and his electrifying stage presence quickly made him an instant icon. Even after leaving the band in 1982 to pursue a successful solo career, his musical spirit remained an undeniable part of the KISS legacy.
The bond, though frequently strained, was never truly broken. Stanley and Simmons’ joint statement to Consequence following Frehley’s death spoke volumes about their complex but enduring connection:
“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”
A Tragic Accident – and a Final Farewell
Frehley’s tragic death was the result of an accident. He suffered a fall in his home studio, which caused a blunt force head injury, a subdural hematoma, and a skull fracture. Despite medical procedures and having been placed on life support, his injuries were, sadly, too severe. His family made the difficult decision to withdraw life support, and his heartbreaking death was ruled accidental.
In the wake of the tragedy, the original members of KISS – Stanley, Simmons, and Peter Criss – reunited for Frehley’s memorial service. It was an emotional gathering, the first time the three musicians had been seen together in years. They were able to put aside their old grievances and honor their shared history – and the Spaceman guitarist who helped start it all.
This on-stage tribute in Las Vegas was more than just a formality; it was a public acknowledgment of a strong brotherhood forged in the fires of rock ‘n’ roll. KISS and their fans collectively grieved and also celebrated the life of a true rock soldier. Even though Ace Frehley has left this world, his cosmic and universal influence on KISS and the entire genre of rock music will be remembered – and it will continue to reverberate through the ages.
