Ace Frehley, the iconic lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, has passed away at 74. He had been dealing with health issues and was recently hospitalized after a fall, which led to the cancellation of his 2025 tour dates.
Frehley was part of the original KISS lineup, which formed in New York City in 1973 alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. He was known for his “Space Ace” persona and designed the band’s famous double lightning-bolt logo. Frehley played with KISS until 1982 and later found success with his solo project, Frehley’s Comet, in the late ’80s. He reunited with KISS for a successful tour in 1996 but did not join the band for their final “End Of The Road” tour that started in January 2019.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, he came from a musical family. He started playing guitar at 13, inspired by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. He earned the nickname “Ace” in high school for his charm with girls.
Frehley joined KISS after answering an ad in The Village Voice in 1972. His guitar skills impressed Simmons, Stanley, and Criss, leading to his role as lead guitarist. He painted silver stars on his eyes for performances, reflecting his love for science fiction. Frehley wrote or co-wrote many classic KISS songs, including the fan favorite “Cold Gin.” He first sang lead on “Shock Me,” inspired by a near-fatal electrocution incident during a show. KISS achieved major success with their live album, Alive!, in 1975, marking a turning point in their career.
