Ace Frehley, GRAMMY® Award nominated and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted rock guitarist; and iconic founding member of KISS, died today at age 74. Frehley passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall at his home.
Frehley’s family issued the following statement:
“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!”
Paul Daniel Frehley was born in The Bronx, New York, and began playing guitar at age 13. Frehley’s musical influences ranged from Led Zeppelin to Cream to The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix (to whom he was a roadie for at age 18). With a musical legacy spanning 50-plus years, Frehley began performing with various bands in the early 70s until he joined Peter Criss, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons to form the ionic rock band KISS. As lead guitarist for the band, his persona was known as “Space Ace,” and later, “The Spaceman.”
In 1972, Frehley delivered his debut solo album, Ace Frehley, which reached Platinum status. In 1987, he dropped Frehley’s Comet, followed by 2009’s Anomaly. In 2014, his Space Invader album hit the Top 10 of the charts at #9 on the Billboard 200. Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Slash, Lita Ford, and John 5 collaborated with Frehley in 2016 on Origins Vol. 1, which reached the top spot at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart and in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart. Frehley followed up Origins Vol. 1 with Spaceman in 2018 and Origins Vol.2 in 2020.
Frehley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014. In 1999, he was GRAMMY® nominated with KISS for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for the album Psycho Circus and was inducted into Hollywood’s Rock Walk that same year. He also received a 1999 Gibson USA Legends award. He was to be a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors with KISS this December 7th.
Frehley’s current album, 10,000 Volts was released on February 23rd, 2024 — he was on tour this year in support of the collection which features guest appearances by Paul Stanley, Robin Zander and Bruce Kulick.
Frehley 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.
19 Responses
I just realized something. My very first concert was Bon Jovi on their Slippery When Wet tour. There were two opening bands that night, Cinderella and Ace Frehley. Ace went on first. Never realized it until now, but Ace was the very first band I ever saw live. Wow. Love you, Ace! RIP! Devastated. I have no words.
I’m pretty sure ,gene and peter are taking this really bad, even bruce, Eric and tommy.. but why do I have a feeling paul will still trash him..
Sadly see what I wrote under genes accident story. ” these guys arent young anymore”
Turns out im right if that is a real paul stanley twitter page..
Legend. IMO, the hardest working member of KI$$. Technically, not a great guitarist, but was a HUGE inspiration to many guitarists. Iconic player who helped popularize Gibson and the Les Paul model.
Ace, you will be missed. Rock and roll lost a big hero who made the most of his talents bestowed by God.
Wow, I just seen Ace with my husband back in June, I can’t believe he’s gone! Lifetime of memories, thank you Ace! God bless the one & only Spaceman! You will live in rock & roll heaven forever! This Cold Gin is for you Ace! Cheers!!
So sad, I am devastated. Not prepared for this! Gene and Paul are going to hell for not treating him better! My thoughts may change in time! So sad!!