Kiss’ Ace Frehley Dies at 74

Ace Frehley, Kiss Guitarist, Dies at⁢ 74

Ace Frehley, the iconic lead guitarist of Kiss, has died at the age of 74. The news was confirmed by Rolling Stone after ⁤Frehley recently sustained injuries from a fall at his‍ home, leading to the cancellation of his 2025 performances.

His family stated they were able to surround him with “loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions” in his final moments, describing his passing as “of epic proportions.”

born Paul daniel Frehley in the bronx, he began playing guitar after receiving one as a Christmas gift.He joined Kiss in 1972 after⁤ answering an ad placed by⁣ Paul Stanley. Frehley was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound with his riffs and solos, and even‍ designed the Kiss logo.

Known for his⁢ on-stage persona, “Space Ace” or “the Spaceman,” Frehley’s performances were visually striking with smoke ⁢and lights emanating from his guitar. He contributed to many of Kiss’s most famous albums, including their debut, Destroyer, and Alive!, and eventually sang ⁣lead vocals on “Shock Me” from Love⁤ Gun.

Frehley’s 1978 solo album was the most triumphant of the four Kiss members’ individual releases, featuring the hit “New York Groove.” He left Kiss in 1982 due to creative differences, continuing a solo career and recording with Frehley’s Comet. His most recent album, 10,000 Volts, was released in 2023.

He reunited with⁤ the original Kiss lineup ⁣from 1995-2002, appearing on the Psycho Circus album. Frehley⁣ also released his autobiography, No Regrets: A Rock’n’Roll Memoir, in 2001 ⁣and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the original Kiss members in 2014.

Posthumously, Frehley will be honored with a Kennedy Center Honour this December, becoming only ⁤the third person to receive the award after their death.