Ace Frehley, KISS’s founding guitarist, dies at 74 in New Jersey after a fall. Fans mourn the Spaceman who helped shape rock’s golden era.
Rock Legend Remembered in Morristown
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the American rock band KISS, died Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey. He was 74. His agent confirmed that Frehley passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, following complications from a recent fall. The musician’s family said they are “heartbroken but forever grateful for his laughter, kindness, and light.”
A Career That Electrified Generations
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx in 1951, the guitarist co-founded KISS in 1973 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. Known to fans as “Space Ace” or “The Spaceman,” Frehley revolutionized live performance with his smoke-emitting guitars and onstage pyrotechnics. His technical showmanship helped define the glam rock movement of the 1970s, with hits like Rock and Roll All Nite and I Was Made for Lovin’ You making KISS a household name.
Tributes From Bandmates and Fans
KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley paid tribute in a joint statement Friday, saying, “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable part of KISS’s history and will always remain in our hearts.” Drummer Peter Criss also shared condolences, calling Frehley “a true brother in music and spirit.”
Across social media, fans and fellow artists hailed Frehley’s influence on guitar-driven rock, with many crediting his inventive tone and flamboyant stage presence for inspiring generations of performers.
Life Beyond the Face Paint
Frehley left KISS in 1982 as the band shed its trademark makeup and faced creative tensions. He pursued a successful solo career, forming Frehley’s Comet and releasing several acclaimed albums that showcased his songwriting and guitar artistry. In 1996, he rejoined KISS for a reunion tour that reignited global interest in the group’s theatrical style. The original lineup was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
A Legacy Written in Smoke and Fire
Frehley’s death marks the first loss among KISS’s four founding members. Over five decades, his cosmic persona and innovative stagecraft helped turn the band into one of the most recognizable acts in rock history. His influence continues to echo through bands that followed—from metal pioneers to grunge-era guitarists who cited KISS as inspiration.
While KISS’s image was bold and commercial, Frehley’s artistry was deeply personal. He once said, “When I stepped onstage as the Spaceman, I felt invincible. That’s the power of rock and roll.”
Canadian Fans Join Global Mourning
Across Canada, classic rock stations dedicated tributes throughout Friday, replaying KISS anthems and solo tracks from Frehley’s career. In Toronto and Montreal—cities central to KISS’s early tours—fans gathered online to share concert memories and photos from the band’s 1970s and 1990s tours.
For many Canadians, Frehley’s passing closes a chapter in rock’s most theatrical era. His contributions—equal parts artistry, attitude, and spectacle—leave behind a legacy as dazzling as the guitars he set ablaze.
