Ace Fraley has died at the age of 74 (Ace Frehley), the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Kiss.
The musician, who inspired a generation of guitarists and appeared on Kiss’ first nine albums, died Thursday in a New Jersey hospital of injuries sustained during a recent fall, his family said in a statement.
“We are devastated”said Frehley’s family, among others. “In his final moments, we surrounded him with loving, peaceful words, thoughts and prayers as he left this earth. We cherish all his memories, his laughter, his good points and the kindness he gave to others. Ace’s memory will live on forever!”
Born as Paul Daniel Frehley in New York in 1951, formed Kiss in 1973 with the singer Paul Stanleythe bassist Gene Simmons and the drummer Peter Criss.
“A little fall in the studio”
Frehley announced in September that he would not be able to appear at a scheduled concert in California on the 26th of the month due to “a little drop in his studio”as stated in a post on his official Instagram account. “He is fine, but against his will, his doctor has insisted that he avoid traveling at this time”.
Ultimately, he was hospitalized for several weeks and put on mechanical support after suffering a brain bleed, and the rest of his 2025 tour was canceled due to of “certain ongoing health problems”.
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“My friend… I love you!”
After the news of his death, Stanley and Simmons in a joint statement said that he is “devastated.”
“He was an indispensable and irreplaceable rock soldier in some of the most defining, foundational chapters of the band and its history. It is and always will be a part of Kiss’ legacy.”they stated.
Criss wrote on X: “I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you!”
I’m shocked!!!
My friend… I love you!#KissArmy #AceFrehley #Kiss#Spaceman😿😿😿😿😿😿😿 pic.twitter.com/8CfPJKY5aQ
— Peter Criss (@RealPeterCriss) October 16, 2025
“I don’t know how to read music…”
When Kiss released their self-titled debut album in 1974, critics were mostly lukewarm, but the band quickly became famous and beloved by fans for their frenzied live shows, black-and-white make-up and leather outfits inspired by New York Dolls and him Alice Cooper. Each member had a different persona, with Frehley being Spaceman (or “Space Ace”), Simmons being Demon, Stanley being Starchild, and Criss being Catman.
At the band’s concerts, his appearance was impressive as the stage filled with smoke during his guitar solos.
Frehley never took guitar lessons, and in a 2009 interview he said: “I’m an anomaly, I’m an academically uneducated musician. I don’t know how to read music, but I’m one of the most famous guitar players in the world, so just imagine.”
The faces of the band members had not been revealed for more than a decade. By then, Frehley had left Kiss, having gone on to a solo career in 1982, after feeling torn about the band’s direction and struggling with substance abuse. “I was confused”he later said of this period. “I thought if I stayed in this complex, I would have killed myself. Driving home from the studio, I’d like to crash my car into a tree.”
In 1984, Frehley formed a new band, The Frehley’s Cometwho released two albums but were not successful. Then the album was released Trouble Walkin’ in 1989, with his own name and backing vocals by Criss.
He reunited with Kiss in 1996, when all the original band members got back together. A highly successful reunion period followed until 2002.
However, when Kiss held their farewell world tour in 2022, Frehley did not participate. In his later years, he had a contentious relationship with Simmons, who made several comments to the press about Frehley’s past substance abuse.
In 2019, when Simmons claimed that Frehley was fired from Kiss due to drug use, Frehley responded in a public statement that he had been drug free for 12 years and that he left Kiss “of my own free will because his two partners were “control freaks, unreliable and very difficult to work with.”
“He was my hero”
Pearl Jam guitarist, Mike McCreadypaid tribute to the rock star, recounting how he first learned about Frehley at age 11, and it changed his life.
“All my friends have spent countless hours talking about Kiss and buying Kiss stuff. Ace was my hero and I would consider him a friend. I’ve studied his solos endlessly over the years.”McCready wrote, adding that playing with Frehley at Madison Square Garden was “a dream come true for me.”
“I would never have played guitar without Ace’s influence”he wrote. “Rest Ace, you changed my life.”
Poison frontman, Bret Michaelswrote to X: “Ace, my brother, I sure can’t thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve been to together, and your guitar playing on Nothing But A Good Time. You have all the love and respect from my family and me – may you rest in peace!!!”
@ace_frehley Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time. All my love and respect, from my family and myself – may you rest in peace!!! #AceFrehley pic.twitter.com/Vb5IIPYPxu
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) October 16, 2025
Frehley leaves behind his wife, Janetand his daughter, Monique.
Source :Skai
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