Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and co-founder of Kiss, has passed away at 74.
His family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday (October 16) in a statement to Deadline, hours after his death in Morristown, New Jersey.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” they said. “In his last moments, we were fortunate to surround him with love, peace, and prayers as he left this earth. We cherish his laughter, memories, and the kindness he shared with others. The magnitude of his passing is beyond comprehension, but Ace’s legacy will live on forever.”
While the cause of death hasn’t been officially disclosed, TMZ reported that Frehley was placed on life support after suffering a fall in late September. Earlier this month, his team canceled his remaining 2025 tour dates due to “ongoing medical issues.”
Born in the Bronx, Frehley co-founded Kiss in 1973 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. The band became iconic for their over-the-top makeup and stage personas—Gene as “The Demon,” Stanley as “The Starchild,” Criss as “The Catman,” and Frehley as “The Spaceman.”
He played with the band for about a decade, appearing on 11 albums including the 1975 classic Alive!, before leaving in 1982 to pursue a solo career. Frehley reunited with Kiss in 1996 for their reunion tour and stayed until 2022. Twelve years after his second exit, Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In a statement to Variety, Simmons and Stanley shared their grief: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative years of the band. He will always be part of Kiss’ legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
