Ace Frehley Dead At 74, Family Releases Heartfelt Statement

Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, co-founder and original lead guitarist of the iconic rock band Kiss, has passed away at the age of 74 due to complications from a fall he suffered last month, his family announced. Frehley died peacefully on Thursday, October 16, surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey. In a heartfelt statement, his family shared:“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. 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!”Ace Frehley’s musical journey began in 1972 when he auditioned for Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. He was recruited as the lead guitarist, and the band was officially named Kiss in 1973. Frehley played a pivotal role in creating Kiss’s iconic double lightning bolt logo and was famously known as “The Spaceman,” one of the band’s legendary stage personas. Related News | Ace Frehley Dies at 74 After Brain Bleed: What is the Condition and How Does it Happen?After initially leaving Kiss in 1984, Frehley reunited with the band for a 1996 reunion tour and again performed with them during the 2002 Winter Olympics. He ultimately pursued a successful solo career, releasing his latest album of original songs, 10,000 Volts, in 2024.A week before his death, Frehley canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates, citing “ongoing medical issues.” This announcement followed his hospitalization due to a fall in his studio, which led to serious health complications. Despite the fall, he had performed several shows over the summer, with his last concert on September 4, before withdrawing from the Antelope Valley Fair performance after the incident.