KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have paid emotional tribute to their former bandmate and fellow founding member Ace Frehley, who passed away on Thursday (October 16) at the age of 74.
In a joint statement released shortly after the news broke, Simmons and Stanley expressed their heartbreak over the loss of the iconic guitarist: “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‘s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Simmons also shared a personal message on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “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!”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, Ace became a household name as KISS’s “Spaceman” — the original lead guitarist whose innovative riffs, melodic solos, and theatrical stage persona helped define the band’s signature sound.
Frehley played on some of KISS’s most legendary albums, including Kiss (1974), Destroyer (1976), Love Gun (1977), and Dynasty (1979), writing and performing classics like “Shock Me,” “Rocket Ride,” and “Talk to Me.” His 1978 self-titled solo album, featuring the hit single “New York Groove,” remains a fan favorite.
After leaving KISS in the early 1980s, Frehley continued a successful solo career with FREHLEY’S COMET and released a string of acclaimed albums, including Anomaly (2009) and 10,000 Volts (2024). He reunited with KISS for their 1996 reunion tour, thrilling fans worldwide and reaffirming his place as one of rock’s most influential guitarists.
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