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Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band KISS, has died. He was 74.
The musician’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement released Thursday.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” the statement reads.
“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Frehley’s former KISS bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons also released a joint statement to Page Six on Thursday.
“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,” they shared.
“He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with [his estranged wife] Jeanette, [daughter] Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Frehley’s official cause of death has yet to be released. He had reportedly been hospitalized on life support as of Thursday afternoon, after falling in his studio and suffering a brain bleed just a few weeks before his death.
A statement was posted via his official Instagram on Sept. 25, confirming the “Cold Gin” rocker “had a minor fall” in his studio that resulted in a trip to the hospital.
“He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time,” the message read in part. “Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, ‘Origins Vol. 4.’”
Another Instagram post, shared on Oct. 6, revealed that Frehley “made the difficult decision” to cancel the remainder of his 2025 tour dates due to “some ongoing medical issues.”
Frehley (real name: Paul Daniel Frehley) grew up in the Bronx, New York, where he was introduced to music at an early age by his family. He taught himself guitar after being influenced by bands and artists like B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.
“I’m always flattered when people tell me I influenced them. If I knew I was gonna influence thousands of guitar players, I woulda practiced more. I laugh, but that’s the truth,” he told Guitar World in 2024, noting that he had “never” taken a lesson and that his “sense of melody” came from singing in the church choir.
“I didn’t know I would become this iconic guitar player that so many people would listen to. I’ve had so many players come up to me and say, ‘You are the reason I play guitar,’ and I’m always like, ‘Wow…’”
In 1973, Frehley got his big break as one of the four founding members of KISS, alongside Simmons, Stanley and Peter Criss. He served as the lead guitarist and occasionally contributed as a lead vocalist for songs like “Shock Me,” “Into the Void” and “2,000 Man.”
The musician — known for his “smoking” guitar and stage effects — invented the persona of “The Spaceman” (aka “Space Ace”), which included his now-iconic silver metallic face makeup, a black-and-silver glam rock jumpsuit and platform boots.
