Ace Frehley, Kiss Co-Founder and Lead Guitarist, Passes Away at 74

Kiss: Ace Frehley Cover Art, Dino Perrucci

Ace Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of the iconic rock band Kiss, has passed away. The black-and-silver star-eyed singer, who made an impression in the 1970s with his special-effect instruments that smoldered and sparked, mimicking his own fiery, atmospheric, and bellicose guitar tone, died on Thursday, October 16, after a series of falls weakened his health status. He was 74. 

In a statement shared by the Frehley family, they wrote, “Ace Frehley, GRAMMY Award-nominated and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted rock guitarist, and iconic founding member of KISS, died today at age 74.  Frehley passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall at his home.”

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moment, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others,” the family of the deceased continued. 

“The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!” 

In the wake of the artist’s passing, Kiss released a statement, calling Frehley, “An essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.” 

Born in the Bronx on April 27, 1951, Frehley came from a musical family. He received his first electric guitar on Christmas 1964 and was quickly enthralled by the craft. Without lessons, he learned by proximity and credited the greats as influences: Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, and others. 

His upbringing presented challenges, but before he could veer off course, Frehley experienced concert salvation, seeing The Who and Cream live in New York, a moment he cites as saving his life and preserving his future as an artist. 

Early in his career, Frehley provided chops for a series of groups, including the Outrage, the Four Roses, King Kong, The Magic People, and Molino, which signed a contract and recorded half an LP for RCA Records in 1971. 

An ad in The Village Voice seeking a guitar player led Frehley to 10 East 23rd Street, atop the Live Bait Bar, where he auditioned in front of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. Frehley secured the spot, and by January 1973, they were Kiss. 

The band set itself apart through the use of face paint and makeup, and eventually through the adoption of stage personas that carried the impact of their style. Frehley became the Space Ace, and later the Spaceman, influenced by his interest in the cosmos and science fiction. 

Despite Stanley and Simmons’ role as primary songwriters, Frehley’s contribution to the group’s debut self-titled album resulted in co-credits on “Love Theme for Kiss” (the group’s only song with all four members credited as writers) and “Cold Gin.” 

Frehley lacked confidence in his ability to sing, leaving the task to Simmons until the band’s sixth album and the arrival of “Shock Me” on 1977’s Love Gun, when he took on lead vocals. Because of this caveat, he often relied on his enigmatic and sometimes chaotic solos.

In 1978, with help from his Kiss bandmates, Frehley released his eponymous solo record. From there, his comfort level as a writer grew, accounting for a three-song contribution to 1979’s Dynasty, and another trio on their follow-up, Unmasked. 

Though Frehley’s contributions increased, tensions rose as the group’s musical direction came into question. Ultimately, in 1982, he left the band, refusing a multi-million-dollar contract, despite being his image appearing on Creatures of the Night for which he minimal involvement.

Frehley retained a quarter of the Kiss partnership till 1985, but eventually embarked a solo career after parting ways with the group and assembling his own band that became known as Frehley’s Comet. They released their first self-titled LP in 1987. It peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200.  After 1989’s Second Sighting, he began recording albums under his own name.

In 1996, Kiss sparked a reunion, with Frehley rejoining the ranks along with the group’s original drummer, Criss. The band released Psycho Circus, though Frehley only aided “Into the Void” and “You Wanted the Best.” 

In 2001, Kiss launched their “Farewell Tour.” After turning in dates, Frehley returned to his solo ambitions. In the years that followed, he participated in select events, including an all-star performance of “God of Thunder” with Slash, Rob Zombie, Gilby Clarke, Tommy Lee, and other heavy rockers for VH1’s Rock Honors in 2006. 

He participated in 2018’s Kiss On the Kiss Kruise, but did not take part in the band’s 2019 final tour dates. Reports of Frehley’s worsening health condition arrived in recent years—the latest coming on September 25, 2025, through word of a double fall at his home studio. 

Outlets reported Frehley had suffered a brain bleed, and he had been placed on life support following the injuries. He died on October 16 at his home in Morristown, N.J., with family by his side. 

In the hours that followed, word of his passing prompted admirers to respond on social media. Read the comments below. 

Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 16, 2025

I remember 1974 being in my room at the Hyatt on Sunset in LA and I heard someone playing deep and fiery guitar in the room next door. I thought “Boy, I wish THAT guy was in the band!” I looked over the balcony… He was. It was Ace. This is my favorite photo of us… pic.twitter.com/3ojMXqVkQr

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 17, 2025

Ace Frehley, Eddie, Me in awe…

📸: Danny Clinch

I heard about Ace Frehley‘s passing from Rick Friel who I played with in a band called Shadow. Rick was also the first guy on the bus in 1977 with a KISS lunchbox to tell me about Ace…just changed my life. I got a guitar in 1978… pic.twitter.com/0oULzn0A5H

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) October 16, 2025