Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist of KISS, has passed away at the age of 74. He reportedly died from a brain bleed after a fall at his studio. The news broke on October 16, first revealing that he was on life support, followed by confirmation from his family of his passing.
His family expressed their heartbreak, saying, “We are completely devastated. In his last moments, we were able to surround him with love and peaceful thoughts as he left this earth. We cherish his memories, his laughter, and celebrate the kindness he shared with others. The impact of his passing is immense, and we will remember his incredible achievements forever.”
Earlier this month, Frehley had canceled all his remaining tour dates, but details about his condition were limited at the time.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, he played in local bands before joining KISS in 1972 alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. Known as “Space Ace” and later “The Spaceman,” Frehley was a key member of the band until 1982. He contributed to classic albums like Dressed to Kill, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, and the iconic live album Alive!
After leaving KISS, Frehley pursued a solo career and was working on a new album called Origins Vol. 3. He reunited with KISS for a tour in 1996 and contributed to the 1998 album Psycho Circus. His last performance with the band was at the 2002 Winter Olympics, but he later joined them for the KISS Kruise in October 2018.
Our thoughts are with Frehley’s family during this tough time.
