Ace Frehley, Legendary Kiss Guitarist, Dies at 74 After Fall

On October 16, 2025, the music world lost one of its most distinctive voices and images: Ace Frehley, co-founder and longtime lead guitarist of Kiss, died at age 74 following injuries sustained in a fall. His passing leaves a profound void in rock history and among legions of fans who identified with the silver-starred “Spaceman.”

The Fall and Final Moments

According to his family, Frehley had suffered a fall in his studio in late September, which precipitated his decline. That incident led to medical complications, including brain trauma, and he was hospitalized. On the day of his death, Ace was in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his loved ones, and passed away after life support was withdrawn.

In a family statement, the Frehley family said:

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!

Kiss cofounders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons also paid tribute:

We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of Kiss’ legacy.

Their grief underscores how much Frehley’s presence was woven into the identity of Kiss itself.

From Bronx Kid to “Space Ace”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, he grew up in a musical environment and received his first electric guitar at Christmas in 1964. He was self-taught, citing influences that ranged from Hendrix and Jeff Beck to Led Zeppelin and the Who. In his teenage years, he played in local bands and dropped out of high school when one of his groups (Cathedral) began earning money, later returning to finish his diploma.

In 1972, Frehley answered an ad in the Village Voice seeking a lead guitarist for a new group. He reportedly arrived wearing mismatched red and orange sneakers—an image that seemed odd to Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss—but his fierce riffs landed him the spot. The band was soon named Kiss, and the four adopted theatrical personas and face paint. Frehley was billed as the “Spaceman” or “Space Ace,” his otherworldly image matched by smoke-spewing effects and cosmic stage theatrics.

Rise of Kiss & Frehley’s Role

Early Kiss albums—Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, Dressed to Kill—were modest successes, but their live shows and visual spectacle set them apart. The 1975 live album Alive! propelled them into rock stardom, with hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” becoming signature anthems.

Ace’s songwriting and performance contributions were crucial. He co-wrote “Cold Gin” on the debut album, and later provided lead vocals on tracks like “Shock Me” on Love Gun (inspired by a near-electrocution incident on stage) and “Rocket Ride.”

In 1978, all four Kiss members released solo albums simultaneously. Frehley’s was widely judged the standout, driven by his cover of Russ Ballard’s “New York Groove.” He played several instruments, wrote much of the material, and worked with top session musicians.

Despite their public success, tension and substance abuse issues plagued the group. Frehley exited Kiss in 1982 to pursue solo work, and his struggles with drugs and alcohol became more pronounced. He was arrested in 1983 after a high-speed chase in a DeLorean and later required detox and AA commitments.

Solo Career and Reunion

After leaving Kiss, Frehley formed Frehley’s Comet, releasing a self-titled album in 1987 that relaunched his career and went Gold. The album included songs reflecting his personal challenges, such as “Rock Soldiers.” Over the next decade, he released further solo work and toured, though sobriety remained an ongoing battle.

In 1996, the original Kiss lineup reunited for a massive tour and later studio release Psycho Circus, though Frehley’s contribution was limited. He remained with the band through 2002, after which he resumed full solo work.

From 2009 onward, Frehley maintained a steady output, releasing albums such as Anomaly and Space Invader. His most recent studio album was 10,000 Volts, released in 2024. He was also working on Origins Vol. 3—a covers project that he had discussed publicly—before his untimely death.

In 2014, Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss. His memoir, No Regrets – A Rock ‘N’ Roll Memoir (2011), revealed his philosophy:

I never set my sights low. I’ve always believed most people are ruined by the limitations they put on themselves.

Legacy and Survivors

Ace Frehley’s death marks the first departure of the founding Kiss lineup. His influence on rock, glam metal and generations of guitarists is indelible: his tone, theatrical flair, and fearless stage persona inspired countless musicians.

Frehley is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy, and several nieces and nephews. His loss has prompted tributes from fellow rockers, fans, and media across the globe.

As fans and the music press reflect on his career, one truth stands clear: Ace Frehley was more than a guitarist—he was a shapeshifter, a cosmic mythmaker, and a rock legend whose star will never dim.