Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of the rock group Kiss, passed away at 74 after suffering injuries in a fall last month.
His family announced the death in a poignant statement, mourning deeply and paying tribute to the life and legacy of the man famous to millions as “Space Ace.
In their release, Frehley’s family stated, “We are utterly devastated and heartbroken. In his final moments, we enveloped him with loving words, prayers, and peace. We hold in our hearts his laughter, kindness, and the many memories he provided us. The enormity of his death is incomprehensible, but his memory will endure eternally.
Kiss bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also offered tribute, describing Frehley as “an integral and indispensable rock soldier through some of the most critical pages in the history of the band.” They added, “He will forever be part of Kiss’ legacy. Our hearts go out to Jeanette, Monique, and all those who adored him, including our fans worldwide.”
While Kiss was accorded limited respect by initial music critics, their cultural influence was inexorable. Their pyrotechnic live performances, complete with fire-breathing, smoke-exhaling guitars, and pyrotechnics—set the standard for the spectacle of rock during the 1970s. With faces hidden behind makeup, Kiss emerged as icons of theatrical rock, influencing generations of musicians and fans alike. Frehley, “Space Ace,” personified the band’s cosmic aura and emerged as one of the most influential guitarists of his time.
Paul Daniel Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York. He came from a musical family. His first electric guitar was given to him as a Christmas present in 1964, and he learned quickly on his own, influenced by such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, and Led Zeppelin. By the time he was a teenager, he was already playing in local bands and earning the nickname “Ace” due to his smooth charm and ability with women.
Frehley dropped out of high school for a brief time to attend to music full-time before returning later to graduate. His band Molimo signed with RCA Records in 1971, but none of their songs were ever released. The turning point came in 1972 when he answered an ad in the Village Voice for a new rock band. Legendary, he showed up for the audition with one red and one orange sneaker, standing out for Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. For all their initial reservations about his weird getup, they were overwhelmed by his guitar playing, and Kiss came into being in January 1973.
The band encountered initial difficulties in New York’s rock snob culture, but through the guidance of Bill Aucoin, they discovered the formula for success. Their initial three records, Kiss (1974), Hotter Than Hell (1974), and Dressed to Kill (1975), established a consistent following, but the live record Kiss Alive! (1975) sent them into superstardom. The raw power of the record, added to television exposure and a burgeoning fan base, sealed their positions in rock history. Teens worshiped them, parents were appalled, and Kiss became a phenomenon.
With producer Bob Ezrin in 1976, Kiss released Destroyer, its most ambitious and best-selling album so far. With such hits as “Detroit Rock City” and “Shout It Out Loud,” it contained also the ballad “Beth,” performed by drummer Peter Criss, which was the band’s largest hit single. Kiss’s spectacular shows and enormous merchandising, from comic books to lunch boxes, made it one of the world’s largest acts.
Frehley’s guitar playing and writing were instrumental in defining the band’s sound. He brought forward notable songs like “Cold Gin,” “Shock Me,” and “Rocket Ride.” His aloof personality, coupled with his unique solos, earned him a following of adoring fans and fellow artists.
Kiss was at its height of popularity by 1978. Every member had a solo album out at the same time, and Frehley’s was generally considered the best of the four. With his hit remake of “New York Groove,” it went platinum and highlighted his versatility as a musician and songwriter.
However, fame brought challenges. Creative disagreements and substance abuse began to strain the band. Frehley, frustrated by the group’s musical direction, left Kiss in 1982 after years of escalating tension. He later battled drug and alcohol addiction, facing legal troubles, including a 1983 arrest after a high-speed car chase in his DeLorean.
Re-emerging with Frehley’s Comet in the mid-1980s, he signed a deal with Megaforce Records and put out a self-titled album in 1987, including the semi-autobiographical “Rock Soldiers.” Certified gold, the album represented his return to the rock world on a triumphal note.
In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for their highly anticipated reunion tour, wearing his legendary silver face paint again. The tour was one of the top-grossing tours in history and reintroduced Kiss to a new audience. Psycho Circus was released in 1998, although Frehley didn’t contribute much to the album. Frehley departed from Kiss once more in 2002 but remained on good terms with his old band members.
Throughout the next decades, Frehley kept touring and recording as a solo act, working with artists such as Slash, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, and Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. From 2009 until 2024, he put out five solo records, including 10,000 Volts in 2024, demonstrating his inventive flame was still not diminished.
Frehley published his autobiography No Regrets – A Rock ‘N’ Roll Memoir in 2011, offering fans an unfiltered look at his life and career. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his Kiss bandmates. Despite some tensions over reunion rumors, Frehley continued to express gratitude for his time with the band, once writing, “I’ve always believed most people are ruined by the limitations they put on themselves.”
Known for his wit and humility, Frehley frequently spoke of the duality of fame. “Onstage I’m Ace Frehley, and offstage I’m a kid from the Bronx,” he said to Rolling Stone in 1977. “I consider myself lucky in a way, Mick Jagger will always be Mick Jagger, but I can take off my makeup and know who I am.”
Ace Frehley’s impact reached far beyond his tenure with Kiss. His pioneering guitar sound, showmanship, and integrity influenced countless musicians of all genres. He represented the rebellious nature of rock ‘n’ roll with a sense of humor and humanity that endeared him to fans worldwide.
He is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, nieces Suncere Frehley and Julie Salvner, nephews Sky Frehley and Andrew Salvner, sister-in-law Michelanne, and brother-in-law Ron Salvner.
Ace Frehley’s life was one of passion, determination, and revolutionary creativity. From the Bronx to international superstardom, he never lost the excitement of music. While the “Space Ace” has passed on, his riffs, spirit, and legacy will reverberate through generations of rock fans for all eternity.
- ‘Twisted Christian’: South Park’s Latest Episode Is Its Most Outrageous Since Naked Trump - October 17, 2025
- Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Kate Cassidy Shares Emotional Tribute One Year After His Passing - October 17, 2025
- Ace Frehley, Iconic Kiss Lead Guitarist and Solo Star, Dies Peacefully at 74 - October 17, 2025
