Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has died aged 74. The musician died on Thursday in a New Jersey hospital after suffering injuries from a fall in his recording studio last month, his family confirmed.
Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, co-founded Kiss in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. Known as the Spaceman, he performed on the band's first nine albums and inspired a generation of guitarists with his distinctive style.
His family said in a statement: '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.' Stanley and Simmons said they were 'devastated', adding: 'He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band.'
Frehley reportedly fell in his recording studio in late September, hitting his head and suffering a brain bleed. He was hospitalised for several weeks and placed on life support. The accident forced the cancellation of a concert in California and later his entire 2025 tour.
After leaving Kiss in 1982, Frehley formed Frehley's Comet and later pursued a solo career. He rejoined the band for a reunion tour from 1996 to 2002 but did not participate in their farewell world tour in 2022-2023. He had a public feud with Simmons in later years over his departure and past substance abuse.
Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, including Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, who recalled first learning about Frehley at age 11. Criss wrote on X: 'I'm shocked!!! My friend ... I love you!'
