Rockers Offer Tributes to Ace Frehley, Guitarist Who Co-Founded Kiss, Dead at 74
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Ace Frehley (photo by Jayme Thornton; used with permission)
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. He paid tribute to his former bandmate.
Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 16, 2025
Criss also shared his grief: “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. He died peacefully with his family around him. My wife and I were with him to the end as well. I love you my brother. My love and prayers go out to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy and all of Ace’s extended family, bandmates, fans and friends. May the Lord comfort you at this difficult time. As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo career, Ace influenced and touched the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army. At this time I ask all of you to please be respectful to Ace’s family and allow them to grieve privately. To the KISS Army and Ace’s Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all… Broken…”
Tributes from many other classic rock stars appear below.
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.”
Kiss in the 1970s
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
@ace_frehley 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. All my love and respect, from my family and myself – may you rest in peace!!! #AceFrehley pic.twitter.com/Vb5IIPYPxu
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) October 16, 2025
The Heartbreakers’ guitarist Mike Campbell said, “I really liked that guy. He was a great guitar player and a cool dude. I remember in 1976, [we] were working on our first album with [producer] Denny Cordell. And Denny took us to Anaheim Stadium to see KISS to inspire us. And we were inspired; they were amazing. But Ace, in particular, was really playing some great guitar. And I remember when he did his solo, smoke started coming out of his pickup on his guitar. I thought that was the coolest thing.”
Ace Frehley was the embodiment of rock ’n’ roll attitude — unapologetic, loud, and irresistibly catchy. His riffs had swagger, his tone had bite, and his presence lit up stages like a supernova. The Spaceman has left the stage, but his orbit will shine forever. pic.twitter.com/TDyDvEVA9i
— Steve Vai (@stevevai) October 17, 2025
From Alice Cooper: “The worst part of being in rock ‘n’ roll at this point is the fact that some of our fraternity have just reached that age where they’ve… they leave the planet. Some of the guys that started 30, 40, 50 years ago are starting to go, and of course Ace Frehley from KISS, one of the pioneers – one of the great guitar players out there…Ace was an absolute Guitar hero to so many people. I did more tours with him than anybody else, as far as opening for us, for quite a long time so… we became quite good friends. And you know he always brought it every night… He did it every night. And… it’s just hard to see somebody like that go. We know that right now that the KISS fans are certainly in mourning and certainly his family and certainly everybody that knew him. Ace was an ACE.”
Sad to hear about the passing of Ace Frehley. We shared a lot of stages over the years. He was one of a kind — a true rock & roll original with a sound and style all his own. Rest easy, Space Ace. You’ll be missed but never forgotten.
Photo by: John Bionelli #Kiss #AceFrehley… pic.twitter.com/L3batScTQ2
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) October 17, 2025
Bruce Kulick, who played guitar with Kiss from 1984-1996, wrote, “The news of Ace’s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply effected me as well. He was one of a kind a truly an iconic guitar player. His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten. Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world. RIP.”
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Ace Frehley. Thank you for the decades of music inspiring generations with your electrifying guitar work and unforgettable stage presence. Your sound helped define rock ’n’ roll. Our thoughts are with Ace’s family,… pic.twitter.com/tRQTGNVCUl
— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) October 16, 2025
Rush’s Geddy Lee wrote, “Absolutely stunned and saddened by the news Ace Frehley has tragically passed away. Back in 1974, as the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil and myself spent many a night hanging out together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of, just to make him break out his inimitable and infectious laugh. He was an undeniable character and an authentic rock star. RIP Ace .. thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock and roll world.”
So sad to hear of the mighty Ace’s tragic passing. Love and healing to his family and his many fans worldwide.
@ace_frehley @kiss pic.twitter.com/4yECe4jKRT— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) October 17, 2025
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
- Rockers Offer Tributes to Ace Frehley, Guitarist Who Co-Founded Kiss, Dead at 74 - 10/17/2025
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationGreat guitarist !! I saw Ace with Kiss and when he launched Frehley’s Comet. Just a sad loss. I have Great memories of seeing Kiss several times with Ace. The first time in Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom back in ’73. That Les Paul guitar he played was SMOKIN’. Thanks for the great memories Ace. May you rest in peace Rock Soldier.
I saw Kiss three times in the mid-70s when I was barely 20. Might have been the oldest person in the crowd. Proud member of the Kiss Army.
Kiss rocked, and they put on a great show. And their records were hilarious. Including the 12″ (still got it!) that Ace was behind, ‘Eugene’.
I don’t think Ace got his full due, being in a band with Gene and Paul and Peter. Maybe he was the George Harrison of Kiss.
It’s Cold Gin time again! Here’s to ya!!
I’ve probably listened to KISS Alive hundreds of times and Ace’s solo on Let Me Go, Rock N Roll is still the highlight for me.