Ace Frehley, the legendary lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary hard rock band Kiss has died at the age of 74. He sustained injuries from a fall at a New Jersey hospital on Thursday. Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, he wizared the music world as the Spaceman of Kiss. Fans have audaciously dubbed him “Space Ace.”
Frehley originally co-founded Kiss in 1973 with bandmates Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. As its lead guitar, he defined the group’s sound and mystique. His indelible contributions were the backbone of their first nine studio albums. Frehley’s trailblazing guitar work and flamboyant stage presence won him a devout following, earning the admiration of countless musicians for generations to come.
Frehley’s talent was tremendous and yet he was the one who infamously stated that he had never taken a guitar lesson in his life. “I’m an anomaly, I’m an un-schooled musician. I don’t know how to read music, but I’m one of the most famous guitar players in the world, so go figure,” he once stated. His groundbreaking approach to the guitar influenced a generation of guitarists, including Mike McCready of Pearl Jam. McCready recalled a pivotal moment from his youth: “A friend got a Kiss lunchbox when I was 11, which changed my life.”
Frehley’s time with Kiss had its difficulties. In 1982, he left the band, torn between his vision for its future and a substance abuse problem. His departure sealed a tumultuous chapter in his life. He wanted to take an untraveled road by starting Frehley’s Comet in 1984. The band went on to record two more studio albums, which produced no commercial sparks.
In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for a well-documented reunion tour, staying with the band until 2002. Despite his colorful and successful career with Kiss, he was absent from his band’s farewell world tour in 2022. His personal life His relationship with band mate Gene Simmons was combative and at times, hostile. Simmons’ critical comments about Frehley’s previous substance abuse issues caused the two to have very public fights and accusations exchanged back and forth.
In 2019, Frehley rocked the Kiss world by speaking out against Simmons’ narrative that he had been fired from Kiss. He seemed especially proud to have been sober for 12 years and to have chosen to leave the band when he did.
Frehley was known for his signature modified Les Paul guitar that created a spectacle during his performances, filling the stage with smoke during his guitar solos. His electrifying stage presence and unforgettable riffs helped solidify Kiss as one of the most influential rock bands in history.
After news of Frehley’s passing hit the wires, those tributes had only begun to scratch the surface. Bret Michaels was thankful to have participated. He continued, “Ace, my brother, I truly can’t thank you enough for the decades of amazing music… Rest in peace!!!”
Mike McCready paid homage to the legendary guitarist: “RIP it out Ace, you changed my life.”
Frehley’s former bandmates spoke to Rolling Stone about their friend’s legacy. Fellow band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley hailed him as an indispensable, untouchable rock foot soldier. They highlighted the rock icon’s importance throughout the band’s most impactful eras and the fact that he is forever embedded in Kiss’s legacy.
Peter Criss echoed this sentiment with a heartfelt message: “I’m shocked!!! My friend … I love you!”