Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the iconic glam rock band Kiss, passed away on Thursday at age 74. His agent confirmed that Frehley died peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in Morristown, New Jersey, following complications from a recent fall. His family expressed heartbreak and described themselves as “completely devastated,” yet vowed to cherish his laughter, kindness, and the memories he left behind.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at 13. Before joining Kiss, he performed in several local New York bands and even worked as a roadie for guitar legend Jimi Hendrix when he was just 18. In 1973, he joined forces with singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss, forming one of the most theatrical and influential rock bands in history.
As part of Kiss’s original lineup, Frehley was best known for his cosmic stage persona — “Space Ace” or “Spaceman” — defined by elaborate galactic makeup and guitars that emitted smoke and sparks. Kiss’s explosive live performances featured pyrotechnics, fire, and fake blood spewed from the mouths of costumed band members clad in armor, platform boots, towering wigs, and striking black-and-white face paint. The band quickly rose to fame in the mid-1970s, powered by classics like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City,” and “Beth,” which became their biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard chart in 1976.
Frehley’s creativity and showmanship helped shape the group’s visual and musical identity, inspiring generations of rock and metal artists. His experimental guitars—often glowing or shooting rockets—made him an icon of innovation in glam rock. In tribute, Kiss co-founders Stanley and Simmons said, “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the band’s most formative chapters. He is and will always be part of Kiss’s legacy.”
Frehley’s relationship with the band, however, was turbulent. He first left in 1982, during a period when Kiss dropped their signature face paint and struggled to redefine themselves. Stanley later revealed that the group nearly replaced Frehley with Eddie Van Halen before ultimately bringing in Vinnie Vincent. Despite personal and creative clashes, Frehley reunited with Kiss in 1996, reviving the original lineup and recapturing the band’s vintage flamboyance for a world tour that celebrated their legacy. His second departure came in 2002.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Kiss in 2014, though internal disputes prevented the original quartet from performing together during the ceremony. Simmons voiced his belief that Frehley and drummer Peter Criss “no longer deserved to wear the paint,” saying, “The makeup is earned. Just being there at the beginning is not enough.”
Beyond Kiss, Frehley built a successful solo career, leading his own band, Frehley’s Comet, and releasing multiple solo albums. His musical influence extended beyond glam rock, touching artists across genres—from Mötley Crüe and Poison to Metallica and Pantera. Poison frontman Bret Michaels shared an emotional tribute, thanking Frehley “for the years of great music, the many festivals we played together, and your lead guitar on ‘Nothing But a Good Time.’” Even country icon Garth Brooks once collaborated with Kiss on “Hard Luck Woman” for a 1994 compilation.
In recent years, Frehley occasionally joined Kiss for special appearances, including the band’s 2023 farewell show at Madison Square Garden. Though Stanley and Simmons have announced no future tours, they remain open to occasional performances and continue to promote Kiss’s enduring brand. The band’s legacy was further cemented when it sold its catalog, brand name, and intellectual property to the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in 2024 for over $300 million.
Frehley’s death marks the first among the original four founding members of Kiss, leaving behind Stanley, Simmons, and Criss. As the world mourns the loss of the “Spaceman,” his cosmic legacy continues to shine across generations of rock fans. Frehley is survived by his wife, Jeanette, and his daughter, Monique.
