Ace Frehley, Kiss Lead Guitarist and Solo Artist, Dies at 74

[highplainsdem]

Source: Variety

Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Kiss, has died following injuries suffered during a fall last month, according to a statement from his family. He was 74.

Frehley’s family issued the following statement:

“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!”

While Kiss received little respect from music critics and the rock intelligentsia, their impact and influence on a generation of rock musicians and fans has been immense and enduring. The band, who performed in theatrical makeup and costumes were in many ways a gateway for their concerts and larger-than-life mystique: In an era that preceded MTV, their performances were almost overwhelmingly visual and experiential, with explosions, elevators and more. Yet the mystique of Kiss was key: the bandmembers’ faces were not revealed for more than a decade, by which point Frehley and drummer Peter Criss had left the band. Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and cultivated an otherworldly image.

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Read more: https://variety.com/2025/music/news/ace-frehley-kiss-lead-guitarist-dead-1236554943/

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According to TMZ - https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/16/kiss-guitarist-ace-frehley-life-support-brain-bleed/ - he suffered a brain bleed from a fall in his studio late last month and had been on a ventilator for some time.

RIP

Although I was never really a Kiss fan, I enjoyed some of their music and know people, including musicians, who are huge fans of theirs.

[OnlinePoker]

1. Oh, man, this stings.

I was a big fan of KISS in the 70s and Ace was always my favorite. I even bought a couple of his solo Frehley's Comet albums when he left the band.

RIP

[MustBeTheBooz]

2. Shock Me!!!

Ace was always underrated, in my opinion, due to the circus that was KISS. But he was a great song writer and a prolific guitarist. Met him many years ago and he was just a solid person. RIP my friend.

[Mr. Evil]

3. I listened to a lot of Kiss early on,

especially the 'Kiss Alive!' album. A guitar player friend of mine that I worked with eons ago taught himself how to play by listening to Kiss albums over and over. Just loved them and Ace Frehley. Ace could really bring it! Sad to see you go dude. RIP

[hamsterjill]

4. Shocker to me.

I wasn't ever much of a follower of the Kiss movement, but I grew up with someone who was a gigantic fan. So I knew who they were, etc. What Kiss created was unique and incredible.

I am sorry to learn of his passing.

[C Moon]

5. Same here: I had best friend who was a HUGE KISS fan (especially Gene). But I never listened to them.

Regardless, I knew all the members and many of their songs because of my friend.
As a musician, I'd always thought Ace was the best artist in the band.