Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of Kiss, has died. His death, at age 74, stemming from complications of a fall at his home, follows earlier reports from TMZ and other news outlets that Frehley was hospitalized and on life support with a brain bleed. Frehley had canceled the remaining dates of his 2025 tour earlier in October; a post on his Facebook page at the time cited “ongoing medical issues” but did not specify what those issues were.
In the TMZ news piece, it was said that, “We’re told he’s been on a ventilator for some time, and hasn’t gotten better—so, his family is considering turning off support…perhaps as soon as Thursday evening.” That decision was made at the stated time and Frehley passed away on the evening of Oct. 16, 2025, in Morristown, N.J.
Frehley is the first of the original Kiss members to die. Drummer Eric Carr, who replaced the departing Peter Criss in 1980, died in 1991. Criss, as well as fellow co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, is still alive. Simmons himself was recently in the news due to his involvement in a car crash in California.
Frehley, who joined the band upon its inception in 1973 and remained in Kiss until 1982, contributed to all of the band’s groundbreaking early albums, including Kiss (1974), Hotter than Hell (1974), Dressed to Kill (1975), Destroyer (1976), Rock and Roll Over (1976), Love Gun (1977) and Dynasty (1979), as well as Alive! (1975) and Alive II! (1977). He left the band following the release of 1981’s Music From “The Elder” due to a difference of opinion regarding its musical direction. He formed a solo band called Frehley’s Comet, then later worked simply under the name Ace Frehley. Frehley rejoined Kiss for a 1996 reunion tour, and appeared on the group’s 1998 album Psycho Circus, but legt for good in 2001.
Frehley’s self-titled 1978 debut solo album was reportedly the best-selling among the four solo efforts released by the band members simultaneously, and it yielded a #13 single, “New York Groove.”
Related: Our Album Rewind of Kiss’ Destroyer
A press release from Frehley’s publicist, Lori Lousarian-Hakola, stated, “Ace Frehley, Grammy Award-nominated and Rock and 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.”
A statement from Frehley’s family read:
“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!”
Watch Kiss perform on The Midnight Special in 1975
The press release also provided the following biographical information:
“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 [sic— as noted above, the album actually came out in 1978—ed.], 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 and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss in 2014. In 1999, he was Grammy-nominated with Kiss for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for the album PsychoCircus 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 7.
“Frehley’s current album, 10,000 Volts, was released on February 23, 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.”
Related: Musician and celebrity deaths of 2025
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