Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Lead Tributes to Original KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dead at 74
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Farewell to the Spaceman
Ace Frehley, the original guitarist for the legendary rock band KISS, has died at the age of 74, his family confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
Frehley, born in New York City, became one of the founding members of KISS in 1973 along with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. The band became famous for their dramatic black-and-white makeup, platform boots, and larger-than-life stage presence. They produced rock anthems such as “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City,” selling tens of millions of albums around the world.
Known to fans as “Space Ace” or “Spaceman,” Frehley played with KISS until 1982 before leaving to pursue solo work. He later rejoined the band for their highly successful 1996 reunion tour and stayed until 2002. In the years that followed, he continued to record and perform as a solo artist, touring actively until 2025. His last tour was cut short after a fall in the studio forced him to cancel his remaining shows.
Frehley is the first founding member of KISS to pass away, marking the end of an era for one of rock’s most recognizable bands.
Remembering a Rock Legend
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, his longtime bandmates, shared their heartbreak in a joint statement. “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of Kiss’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Simmons also shared his own message on X, writing, “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!”
Peter Criss, the original drummer of KISS, also expressed his grief online. “I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you,” Criss wrote on X.
Tributes Across the Music World
Frehley’s passing prompted heartfelt tributes from musicians and fans alike, who remembered “Spaceman” for his distinctive guitar style, humor, and role in shaping KISS’s iconic sound and image.
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