Ace Frehley, co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has died at the age of 74, his family announced.
Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Vijay Kumar
Ace Frehley, best known as the original lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has died at the age of 74, his family and representatives confirmed. 
The musician passed away on 16 October 2025 in Morristown, New Jersey, following complications from injuries sustained in an earlier fall. In the days leading up to his death, he had been hospitalised and on life support due to a brain bleed resulting from the fall.
Frehley’s family said:
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!
His family also added in caption, “Frehley is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, nieces Suncere Frehley and Julie Salvner, nephews Sky Frehley and Andrew Salvner, sister-in-law Michelanne and brother-in-law Ron Salvner.” “Rest in peace, Spaceman🚀”
Rock Band Weezer wrote on Instagram, “The guitar hero that originally inspired Rivers to pick up an (axe) guitar has left us. RIP to Ace Frehley. Of course, like all true legends he lives on eternally! Just put on “Cold Gin”… or “Strutter” …or… “In The Garage”! @acefrehleyofficial @kissonline #kisscorner #karlscorner”
Drummer Peter Criss also posted on X: “I’m shocked!!! My friend … I love you!”
Tributes have poured in globally. Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready shared how Frehley influenced his life and approach to guitar, saying he “would not have picked up a guitar without Ace and Kiss’s influence.” Bret Michaels of Poison also paid tribute, thanking Frehley for years of music and friendship.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on 27 April 1951 in New York City, he initially played in local bands before answering an advertisement placed by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons seeking a guitarist. In early 1973, Frehley officially joined what became Kiss alongside Stanley, Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss.
From 1974 onward, Kiss released albums like Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, Dressed to Kill, and the breakthrough live record Alive!, helping define an era of theatrical, stadium rock. Frehley’s signature “Spaceman” persona — with star-styled face paint and smoke-blasting guitar solos — became integral to Kiss’s visual identity.
Frehley departed Kiss in 1982, citing creative differences and personal struggles. He then formed Frehley’s Comet and also pursued a solo career. His 1978 solo album, released simultaneously with the other Kiss members’ solo efforts, became the most successful among them, bolstered by his cover of “New York Groove”.
He reunited with Kiss in 1996 for a commercially successful reunion period, staying until 2002. In later years, health issues limited his involvement with the band’s final tours, though his legacy remained omnipresent.
In 2014, Frehley and the original Kiss lineup were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
In late September 2025, Frehley suffered a fall in his home recording studio. Although initially described as minor, the incident led him to cancel a September concert in Lancaster, California and later the remainder of his 2025 tour, citing “ongoing medical issues.”
He published a post on Instagram on 6 October 2025 and wrote, “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates.”
Following the fall, he was hospitalised with a brain bleed and placed on life support / ventilator care. TMZ and other outlets reported that his condition deteriorated over several days. Reports also noted that his family considered withdrawing life support when there was no meaningful improvement.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
