(WDNews) — Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band KISS, has died at the age of 74.
Frehley’s agent confirmed he died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following complications from a recent fall.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in New York City, he helped form KISS in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. Known for his “Spaceman” persona, Frehley became a driving force behind the band’s success in the 1970s, blending explosive guitar solos with the group’s signature face paint and pyrotechnic stage shows.
Frehley’s guitar work helped define KISS classics like Shock Me, Detroit Rock City, and Cold Gin. His smoke-spewing guitar and space-themed stage persona made him one of rock’s most recognizable figures.
After leaving KISS in 1982, Frehley launched a solo career with his band Frehley’s Comet, releasing albums that included his hit New York Groove. He later reunited with KISS in 1996 for their highly successful reunion tour and remained with the group until 2002.
Frehley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 along with his original bandmates.
In recent months, Frehley had been recovering from a fall at his home studio that caused internal injuries and led to the cancellation of his tour dates.
Following his passing, fellow KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley shared tributes online. Simmons called him “an irreplaceable rock soldier,” while Stanley remembered him as “a brother in music whose spirit will live on.”
Frehley’s influence on rock guitar and stage performance remains undeniable. From his wild solos to his celestial stage persona, the “Spaceman” helped inspire generations of musicians and fans.
