News: KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies Aged 74

17 October 2025 rocknews

Ace Frehley, KISS Guitarist and Original Spaceman, Dies Aged 74: The End of a Glam Rock Era

In a moment of profound sadness for music fans worldwide, it has been confirmed that Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, the iconic, founding Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist and co-creator of the band’s legendary image, has passed away at the age of 74. Known universally by his stage persona, “Space Ace,” Frehley’s death, which followed complications from a recent fall, brings a close to a pioneering chapter in rock and roll history. His unique, hard-edged style and charismatic presence were essential ingredients in KISS’s rise from gritty New York clubs to global, stadium-filling dominance.

The news has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow musicians who recognise the massive impact Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist, had on hard rock. His former bandmates, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, released a joint statement describing him as “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the irreplaceable energy Frehley brought to the quartet.

The Genesis of the Icon: Founding KISS

The story of how Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist, first joined the band is the stuff of rock legend. Born on 27th April 1951, in The Bronx, New York, Frehley developed a guitar style that was raw, bluesy, and packed with a unique swagger. In early 1973, he responded to an advertisement placed by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons seeking a lead guitarist. Frehley famously turned up late and dressed somewhat eccentrically, but once he plugged in, his visceral talent was undeniable.

With the addition of Peter Criss on drums, the classic line-up of KISS was solidified. Frehley’s contribution was immediate and visual: he is credited with designing the band’s iconic lightning-bolt logo. More importantly, he adopted the “Space Ace” persona, complete with star makeup and a silver-and-black cosmic outfit. This theatricality, combined with the band’s deafening volume and anthemic songwriting, distinguished KISS and paved the way for them to become the ultimate showmen of the 1970s. The brilliance of Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist, was his ability to integrate showmanship—like the famous smoking guitar trick—with genuine musical prowess.

Ace Frehley KISS Guitarist – A Master of the Riff and the Solo

The true legacy of Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist, lies in his musicianship. While often overshadowed by the band’s theatrics, Frehley was arguably the most naturally gifted musician in the original line-up. His playing style was aggressive, yet deeply melodic. He rarely indulged in pure shredding, instead favouring concise, memorable solos that served the song. He was the master of the “monster plod”—that heavy, slightly-behind-the-beat riff that gave early KISS records their formidable weight.

His fingerprints are all over the band’s greatest tracks. The driving riff of “Deuce,” the scorching lead break on “Detroit Rock City,” and the sheer menace of “Cold Gin” (which he also wrote) are all monuments to the genius of Ace Frehley. In 1977, he made his vocal debut on the track “Shock Me,” which he wrote after a near-fatal onstage electrocution, further showcasing his development as a creative force.

Perhaps the most significant testament to his popularity came in 1978 when all four KISS members released solo albums on the same day. Frehley’s self-titled record, featuring the hit single “New York Groove,” proved to be the highest seller and was widely regarded as the best of the four, a clear vindication of his unique artistic vision and immense popularity with the fans.

Ace Frehley KISS Guitarist – Departures, Reunions, and Enduring Influence

Frehley’s initial tenure with KISS concluded in 1982, after which he forged a successful solo career with his band Frehley’s Comet. Yet, the gravitational pull of the original line-up was undeniable. In 1996, the four original members—Stanley, Simmons, Criss, and Ace Frehley reunited for the massively successful “Alive/Worldwide Tour.” This reunion saw the return of the classic makeup and costumes, a move that delighted long-time fans and introduced the true KISS experience to a new generation.

Despite his final departure in 2002, Frehley’s enduring influence on rock music is undisputed. He inspired a generation of guitarists, including greats like Dimebag Darrell of Pantera and John 5. He made it cool for a lead guitarist to be a personality, blending technical skill with an effortless, rebellious rock and roll attitude. The fact that he was an entirely unschooled musician, unable to read music, yet became one of the most famous guitarists in the world, only adds to his legendary status as a true anomaly and original.

The passing of Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist, is a massive loss, but his memory will be perpetually preserved in the thunderous chords and soaring solos that defined one of the world’s most enduring rock bands. Rock and roll mourns its “Space Ace”—a figure who was, and always will be, absolutely irreplaceable.