Vinnie Vincent Shares the Story of Meeting Ace Frehley for the First Time

The rock world is in mourning as Ace “Spaceman” Frehley, the famous guitarist who helped make KISS famous, died at home on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74 after a fall. People throughout the world are sad at the death of the man who made outer space cool and guitar solos even hotter.

One of the numerous tributes that jumped out was a note from Vinnie Vincent, the guitarist who took Ace’s position in KISS in the early 1980s. It felt very real and personal. Fans thought there was bad blood between the two for years, but Vincent’s poignant letter demonstrated nothing but love, respect, and a shared past.

The Day The New Guy Met A Legend

Vinnie Vincent thought about the strange first time he met Ace in 1982. He had just joined KISS, taking over for a man whose face and music were famous all over the world. Vincent thought it was both exhilarating and scary.

He said that before he joined, he wasn’t really a KISS fan. He knew a few songs but had never been a part of their world. All of a sudden, he was in it, creating songs with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, rehearsing in full makeup, and trying to figure out how quickly his life had changed. Then he knocked on the door of Ace Frehley’s dressing room. He was nervous, but he wanted to say hello. He remembered, “I was just a new kid meeting a giant.” Ace said a few fast words to Vincent that were funny, encouraging, and warning. These remarks stayed with him for the rest of his life.

The meeting didn’t last very long, but it said a lot. Vincent could see a man behind the huge “Spaceman” who had given all to rock and maybe lost a part of himself in the process.

A Moment That Came Full Circle

The two didn’t see each other again for decades after that. They split up and each had their own complicated rock-and-roll story to tell. But in 2022, something strange happened: they got back in touch. Both men went to a KISS legacy event in Nashville, where former band members got together to play music and talk about old times. Vincent and Frehley stood next to each other for the first time in 40 years.

This time, it wasn’t about winning or getting famous. It was about having respect for each other and a common past. Vincent said it felt real and easy, as if they had finally let go of the distance that had been there before. He answered simply, “We liked each other.”

That weekend was special for Vincent. He, Ace, Bruce Kulick, and Peter Criss all played together. It was a combination of the past and the present coming together to salute the band that had changed their lives. He stated it felt like being back home.

What Was So Great About Ace

Vincent’s eulogy was more than just recollections; it was full of praise for Ace as a person. He said he was a true original, someone who didn’t only play guitar but lived through it. Ace didn’t try to be cool; he was awesome. He made every show an event with his spark-shooting guitar, spaced-out laugh, and unmistakable attitude.

He was very good at making friends. His followers didn’t just like his music; they felt it. Ace made them think they could be themselves, no matter how strange or crazy that might be. That’s a special kind of magic. Vincent added that Ace’s legacy will never fade because it is a part of rock music itself. “He gave people something to hold onto,” he remarked. “Something bigger than fame or success.”

Vincent ended his statement with honesty and emotion: Ace’s journey was gone, but the memories, music, and spirit he left behind will live on forever. He wrote, “Cheers, my friend.” “You’ll be missed tomorrow and every day after that.”

Rockers From All Around The World Pay Their Respects

Vincent wasn’t the only one who loved Ace. Friends and other musicians who had looked up to him as a child sent in tributes from all around the music world. Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of Tool, posted a childhood picture of himself in Ace’s famed silver makeup with the simple words “Godspeed, Ace.” Bret Michaels of Poison called him a brother and thanked him for the music and relationship they had over the years.

Rush members remembered performing with KISS in the early 1970s and called Ace a “authentic rock star” with a laugh that could light up a room. “He made us feel welcome,” they recalled, remembering how they would stay up late after gigs telling jokes and crazy stories. Bruce Kulick, a former guitarist for KISS, claimed that Ace’s death shattered his heart. He called Ace “one of a kind” and “a huge influence” on guitarists all over the world. Tommy Thayer, who eventually played the Spaceman in KISS, stated it was a pleasure to follow in Ace’s footsteps and that Ace’s inspiration would never fade.

The Last Goodbye

Ace died after a few hard weeks. He had to cancel his tour dates earlier in October since he was still having health problems from his fall. A few days later, word came out that he had a brain bleed and was on life support.

Later, his family made a statement saying they were “devastated but grateful” to have been with him when he died. They said that his last moments were calm and full of love. They added, “We will always remember his laughter, kindness, and the happiness he brought to everyone.” It’s impossible to think of rock & roll without Ace Frehley. He wasn’t merely a member of KISS; he was the center of its crazy, cosmic spirit. His music, from “Shock Me” to “Cold Gin,” helped shape the tastes of a whole generation of rock lovers.

Vinnie Vincent said it best: Ace was more than just a guitarist. He was a symbol of freedom, joy, and creative bravery. He inspired kids to think they could accomplish anything they wanted.

And now that he’s gone, his light is still glowing. He’s out there in the big cosmic concert hall, playing guitar and grinning his naughty Spaceman smile.