RIP SPACEMAN - KISS FOUNDING GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY HAS PASSED AWAY
Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist of KISS, who donned the makeup and outfit of the Spaceman, has passed away after suffering injuries following a fall at his home. The classic rock legend was 74.
Ace, whose real name is Paul Daniel Frehley (Ace is a nickname he picked up in high school due to his success at landing dates), was heavily inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page and made sure that KISS kept a foot in the door of hard rock. He officially joined KISS at the age of 21 after responding to an ad by Paul Stanley and was with the band from inception to 1981. He, subsequently, launched a successful solo career yet rejoined in 1996 for the band's reunion tours, but left again in 2002 due to many of the issues that led to his original departure in the early 1980s. Upon auditioning for the band, Paul Stanley quipped “When we all plugged in and played together, there was just magic.” Bassist and co-founding member, Gene Simmons added, “As soon as he played, it was like, ‘This is it.’”
In 1978, each member of the band released their own solo album, labeled as a KISS album, and Ace's was the most successful, both critically and commercially, featuring the Top 20 hit cover of the song New York Groove.
Since departing KISS again back in '02, he re-embarked on his solo career. Recently, following his fall, Ace had cancelled the remainder of his 2025 solo shows due to "ongoing medical issues" which subsequently led to a brain bleed and life support shortly before his passing. His family shared, "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!”
We give his family, friends and bandmates our deepest sympathies and let his memory be a blessing for all. RIP Spaceman.
EXPLORE POPULAR ARTICLES
-
RIP SPACEMAN - KISS FOUNDING GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY HAS PASSED AWAY
16th Oct 2025Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist of KISS, who donned the makeup and outfit of the Spaceman, has
-
CYNDI LAUPER ANNOUNCES VEGAS RESIDENCY AFTER ENDING FAREWELL TOUR
7th Oct 2025I guess what she said is true - that girls just wanna have fun. And performing live is what the leg
-
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE BOLD AS LOVE BOX SET - AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 7
11th Sep 2025If you're looking for the perfect holiday (or late 2025 birthday) gift for yourself, or your favori