Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of KISS, has passed away at the age of 74. His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, expressing their deep sadness. They shared, “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his final moments, we surrounded him with love and peace. We will always cherish his memories, laughter, and the kindness he showed to others.”
Frehley, known for his iconic stage persona as The Spaceman, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014. This news comes shortly after he canceled his remaining 2025 tour dates due to ongoing health issues.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he co-founded KISS in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss in New York City. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1974 and quickly gained popularity with their electrifying live performances, complete with face paint and flashy costumes. Their big break came with the 1975 double live album, “Alive!”, which reached #9 on the Billboard chart and sold over 9 million copies worldwide. KISS became one of the best-selling bands in history.
Frehley left KISS in 1982 but returned in 1996, only to depart again in 2002 after their first farewell tour. He had a complicated relationship with his bandmates and did not join KISS for their final “End of the Road” tour, which concluded in New York in 2023. Simmons stated that Frehley was always welcome to return. Ace Frehley’s legacy will live on through his music and the impact he made on rock and roll.
