Ace Frehley, the founding lead guitarist of Kiss, has died. A consultant advised Rolling Stone that Frehley sustained accidents following a current fall at his dwelling. He had since cancelled the rest of his scheduled 2025 performances. “In his final moments, we have been lucky sufficient to have been in a position to encompass him with loving, caring, peaceable phrases, ideas, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” Frehley’s household shared in an announcement. “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and past comprehension.” He was 74.
Paul Daniel Frehley grew up within the Bronx. He acquired his first electrical guitar as a Christmas current and was a member of a number of bands earlier than answering Paul Stanley’s advert in 1972 looking for a lead guitarist. Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss employed Frehley as a member of the band following his audition. Along with offering the band’s iconic early riffs and solos, Frehley designed Kiss’ brand.
Like the remainder of the band, Frehley was identified not just for his taking part in, however for his on-stage theatrics and persona. He painted silver stars over his eyes—his persona within the band was “Area Ace” or “the Spaceman.” Throughout solos, his guitar would emit smoke and lights, giving the looks that it was catching hearth. Frehley performed on most of Kiss’ most iconic data, together with their self-titled debut, Destroyer, and Alive!, although it took till 1997’s Love Gun for him to ship his first lead vocal activate “Shock Me.”
In 1978, all 4 members of the band launched solo albums. Frehley’s was essentially the most profitable of the bunch, along with his model of “New York Groove” touchdown on the Billboard singles chart. Frehley grew other than Kiss’ inventive path and finally left the band in 1982. He continued making solo data and albums along with his band Frehley’s Comet. His most up-to-date solo album, 10,000 Volts, was launched final yr
Following an look on MTV’s Unplugged, the 4 founding members of Kiss reunited between 1995 and 2002; Frehley appeared on their 1998 album Psycho Circus. In 2001, he launched his autobiography No Regrets: A Rock’n’Roll Memoir. In 2014, he and the remainder of band’s unique members have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame. Frehley will grow to be the third particular person ever to posthumously obtain a Kennedy Heart Honor when Kiss are acknowledged on the ceremony this December.
Rage Towards the Machine’s Tom Morello, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, and members of Rush have all paid tribute to Frehley. “Our hearts are damaged,” Gene Simmons wrote in a message posted to X. “Nobody can contact Ace’s legacy. I do know he cherished the followers. He advised me many occasions. Sadder nonetheless, Ace didn’t dwell lengthy sufficient to be honored on the Kennedy Ctr Honors occasion in Dec. Ace was the everlasting rock soldier. Lengthy might his legacy dwell on!”
