Culture Craze
Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies at 74: Fans and Bandmates Pay Tribute
A Star Falls, a Legend Rises Eternal
The world lost a rock icon this week. Ace Frehley, founding lead guitarist of Kiss, passed away on 16 October 2025 following complications from a fall at his home in Morristown, New Jersey. His family released a heartfelt statement, saying they were “completely devastated and heartbroken” and that he was surrounded by love in his final moments.
Frehley first gained fame in the 1970s as part of Kiss, transforming live rock with his cosmic persona, the “Spaceman,” and electrifying guitar riffs. Over the years, his music inspired countless musicians and fans across generations. His legacy is now sealed among the legends of rock.
From Bronx Beginnings to Rock Stardom
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, Ace grew up in the Bronx. He received his first electric guitar as a teenager and taught himself to play. In late 1972, he answered an ad in Village Voice for a lead guitarist and joined forces with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss to form Kiss in 1973.
Within months, Kiss adopted face paint, elaborate costumes, and a reputation for theatrical spectacle. Their live performances were pyrotechnic, visually daring, and sonically aggressive, a combination that turned them into cultural icons.
Ace’s guitar tone defined many of the band’s early classics: he co-wrote or played lead on tracks like Cold Gin, Shock Me, Rocket Ride, and the live favourite Rock and Roll All Nite. In 1978, when each member of Kiss released solo albums, Ace’s New York Groove became a breakout hit, earning acclaim among both fans and critics.
Health Struggles, Tour Cancellations, Final Days
In late September 2025, Ace suffered a fall in his home studio. He cancelled remaining tour dates, citing “ongoing medical issues.” Over time, reports emerged that he had sustained a brain bleed and was placed on life support. Sources say his condition failed to improve, prompting his family to make the agonising decision to end life support.
On 16 October, his passing was confirmed. Tributes have poured in from fans, fellow musicians, and his former bandmates. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons called him “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier” whose influence will always be part of Kiss’s story.
A Legacy That Defies Time
Ace Frehley’s impact goes far beyond his guitar solos. He helped usher in a new era of theatrical rock, where visuals, persona, and spectacle mattered as much as the music. His silver star face paint became as iconic as his riffs.
Even after leaving Kiss in 1982, he continued recording and performing. He rejoined the band for their 1996 reunion, stayed through the early 2000s, and released solo projects; his final studio album, 10,000 Volts, dropped in 2024. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, his daughter, Monique, and a generation of artists who continue to cite him as inspiration.
In death, as in life, Ace Frehley reminds us that legends never fade. They echo.
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Source: Variety
Featured Image: NBC News
