Ace Frehley, legendary Kiss guitarist and Jimi Hendrix roadie, no more

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the iconic glam rock band Kiss, has passed away peacefully on Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by family, according to his agent.

His death follows a recent fall. He was 74.

In a statement, his family said they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will “cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others”.

Frehley, known for his “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman” personas, was a key figure in Kiss’s theatrical rise to fame in the 1970s. With his signature black-and-white galactic makeup, smoking guitars, and rocket-firing instruments, he helped define the band’s flamboyant image and sound.

The original Kiss line-up — Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss — became synonymous with pyrotechnic-filled shows, platform boots, and face paint. Their hits, including ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ and ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’, made them global rock icons and merchandising powerhouses.

Frehley's death marks the first among the four founding members.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley said in a joint statement. “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York, he began playing guitar at the age of 13 and grew up in a musical household. Before joining Kiss, he performed in local bands and even worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at 18.

Kiss reached the height of its popularity in the mid-70s, selling tens of millions of albums. Their song ‘Beth’ became their biggest U.S. hit in 1976, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s influence stretched beyond music, shaping the glam metal era of the 1980s and inspiring artists such as Mötley Crüe, Poison, and even country star Garth Brooks.

Frehley left Kiss in 1982 as tensions mounted within the band. Although Stanley later claimed the band nearly replaced him with Eddie Van Halen, Vinnie Vincent ultimately took on lead guitar duties. Frehley pursued a solo career, performing with his band Frehley’s Comet.

He rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a highly successful reunion tour and revival of their original look. However, he departed again in 2002. When the original line-up was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, internal disputes led to the group declining to perform at the ceremony. Simmons notably said Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint,” insisting that “the makeup is earned”.

Despite long-running feuds, Frehley made occasional appearances with the band in later years. Kiss's 2023 show at Madison Square Garden was billed as their final concert, though Stanley and Simmons have not ruled out future performances.

The band sold its catalogue, brand name, and intellectual property to Sweden’s Pophouse Entertainment Group in 2024 in a deal reportedly worth over $300 million.

Tributes have poured in from across the music world. Poison frontman Bret Michaels wrote: “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.”

Frehley’s legacy continues to resonate with generations of fans and musicians who were captivated by his unique style, technical flair, and unforgettable stage presence.

AP