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Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has died aged 74.
The musician died after suffering injuries during a fall in September, his family said in a statement.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s family said. “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!”
Frehley reportedly fell in his recording studio and hit his head in late September. He was hospitalised for several weeks and put on life support after suffering a brain bleed.
Frehley’s injuries forced him to cancel a concert date in California. Days later, his camp posted on social media that he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour, citing “some ongoing health issues.”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, he co-founded Kiss in 1973 with singer Paul Stanley, bassist and part-time singer Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss.
The band quickly became famous for their white and black makeup and leather costumes, having been inspired by the New York Dolls and Alice Cooper. Each member had a different persona, with Frehley being the Spaceman (or “Space Ace”), Simmons the Demon, Stanley the Starchild and Criss the Catman. Their band members’ faces were not revealed for more than a decade; by this time, Frehley had left Kiss, having moved onto a solo career in 1982.
Frehley rejoined Kiss when the original members of the band reunited in 1996 for a hugely successful reunion tour and stayed until 2002.
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