Ace Frehley, Kiss guitarist and solo artiste, dies at 74

Paul Daniel Ace Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Kiss and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has died at 74 following injuries sustained in a fall last month, his family confirmed.

"We are completely devastated and heartbroken," the family said in a statement. "In his final moments, we were fortunate to surround him with love, peace, and care. We cherish his laughter, celebrate his kindness, and will forever remember his remarkable life. Ace's legacy will endure."

Longtime Kiss bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons echoed the sentiment, calling Frehley "an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier" whose contributions shaped the band's formative years. "He is and will always be a part of Kiss' legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and all those who loved him, including fans worldwide," they said.

Frehley joined Stanley, Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss in late 1972, shortly before Kiss formally launched in January 1973. Known as "Space Ace", Frehley cultivated a distinctive otherworldly persona, completing the band's theatrical, larger-than-life aesthetic that included makeup, costumes, pyrotechnics, and smoke-spewing guitars. Despite early scepticism from critics, Kiss captured the imagination of a generation, particularly teenage fans drawn to their spectacle and rock anthems.

The band's self-titled debut in 1974 introduced hits like "Firehouse", "Black Diamond", and Frehley's "Cold Gin", but it was the 1975 live album "Alive!" that propelled Kiss to stardom. Their follow-up, "Destroyer" (1976), produced by Bob Ezrin, delivered classics including "Detroit Rock City", "Shout It Out Loud", and the ballad "Beth", further cementing their place in rock history.

Frehley's talents extended beyond performance. He released a solo album in 1978, one of four simultaneous solo projects by the band's members, featuring the hit cover "New York Groove". The album showcased his songwriting, multi-instrumental skills, and collaborations with top session musicians, earning critical acclaim and fan admiration.

Despite professional success, Frehley faced personal challenges, including struggles with alcohol and drugs. He briefly left Kiss in 1982 but returned for the 1996 reunion tour and the studio album "Psycho Circus", remaining with the band until 2002. In the years that followed, he continued a prolific solo career, releasing five albums between 2009 and 2024 and collaborating with artists including Slash, Mike McCready, John 5, Robin Zander, Stanley, and Simmons. His final album, "10,000 Volts," appeared in 2024.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Frehley received his first electric guitar in 1964 and drew inspiration from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Jeff Beck. A teenage musician with natural flair, he acquired the nickname "Ace" for his ability to charm audiences and peers alike. He dropped out of high school to pursue music but later returned to graduate, continuing to build a career that spanned over five decades.

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Frehley also chronicled his life in "No Regrets – A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir" (2011), offering an unfiltered look at the highs and lows of rock stardom. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss in 2014.

He 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.