Ace Frehley, the famous lead guitarist and co-founder of the famous rock band KISS, died at the age of 74 in Morristown, New Jersey. He passed after complications from a fall at his home. On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the musician, known to millions of fans around the world as “The Spaceman,” died after being on life support for several weeks because of a brain bleed from the accident.
Death Happens Because of Sad Events
In late September 2025, Frehley fell in his recording studio and hurt his brain badly. Initially, the event was called a “minor fall,” but it quickly turned into a medical emergency. It could have killed the person and needed hospitalization and ventilator support. His family had to make the hard choice to turn off life support. This came after doctors said his condition wasn’t getting any better.
The guitarist had to cancel a planned show in Lancaster, California, not long after the first fall. By October 7, all of the remaining 2025 tour dates were officially canceled because of “ongoing medical issues.” His family confirmed the terrible news in a statement that was full of emotion. They said they were “completely devastated and heartbroken” by the loss.
A Rock Royalty Founding Father
Ace Frehley was born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in New York. He co-founded KISS in 1973 with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. The band’s unique black-and-white Kabuki-style makeup, elaborate leather outfits, impossibly high platform shoes, and explosive stage shows changed rock music forever. They used pyrotechnics and theatrical effects.
Frehley’s character as “The Spaceman” or “Space Ace” became one of rock’s most famous characters. He was complete with his trademark smoking guitar and laser effects. His powerful playing style and piercing solos have inspired many guitarists, including Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Slash of Guns N’ Roses.
Success on the Charts and a Musical Legacy
During Frehley’s time with KISS, the band had never before seen commercial success. All 26 of their albums went gold (selling at least 500,000 copies in the US). Fourteen of them went platinum. This accomplishment made the band the most successful American rock group of all time. They made classic songs like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” “God of Thunder,” and “Strutter.”
Frehley’s guitar playing on the 1975 concert album “Alive!” helped make KISS a hard rock legend. His first lead vocal performance on “Shock Me” became a fan favorite. The song came from a scary event in Lakeland, Florida, in 1976. During this event, Frehley almost got electrocuted on stage after grabbing a metal railing that wasn’t properly grounded while holding his guitar.
Later Years and Solo Career
In 1982, the original guitarist left KISS because he was having trouble with drugs and alcohol. Additionally, he didn’t get along with the other band members. He had a successful solo career, starting Frehley’s Comet and making several hit albums. One of these hits was “New York Groove,” which topped the charts. In 1996, Frehley rejoined KISS for a very successful reunion tour. He played with the original lineup until 2002.
Frehley became a member of KISS and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. This made him a part of music history. At the ceremony, Tom Morello praised him, saying, “He was such an amazing guitar player that his axe belched smoke and shot rockets.”
The family remembers a legend
His wife Jeanette and daughter Monique are still alive. His family put out a heartfelt statement saying how sad they were: “In his last moments, we were lucky to be able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers, and intentions as he left this earth.” They went on to say, “The size of his death is beyond comprehension and of epic proportions.” Ace’s memory will live on forever because of all the amazing things he did in his life.
