Hard rock band KISS’s cofounder Ace Frehley, has died at age 74. His passing was confirmed on Thursday (Oct. 16) through a statement made online by the Frehley family:
“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 moments, 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!”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, Ace was known as the lead guitarist and one of the founders of the infamous band KISS. He was a member of the group from its birth in 1973 until 1982, leaving briefly to form his own band, Frehley’s Comet. He rejoined KISS in 1996 for their reunion tour, and he remained until the end of The Farewell Tour in 2002.
In 1999, the band’s album PsychoCircus was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with his fellow band members in 2014. The rest of the group has since released their own statement, praising the late rock star and the legacy he leaves behind.
“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” KISS stated on the group’s social accounts. “He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
The news of his death came a few weeks after he had to cancel the rest of his 2025 shows due to “ongoing medical issues”. Frehley had recently fallen in his home and had suffered a brain bleed, and was on a ventilator for a few weeks.
Ace passed away peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, nieces Suncere and Julie, nephews Sky and Andrew, sister-in-law Michelanne and brother-in-law Ron.
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A tragic loss.