Guitar legend Ace Frehley, best known as a founding member of the iconic rock band Kiss, has died at the age of 74 after suffering a fall at his home last month, his family has confirmed.
The rock star had reportedly been placed on life support following a brain bleed. Earlier reports stated he had been on a ventilator for some time, with his family said to be considering turning off the life support, according to TMZ.
Frehley’s family released a heartbreaking 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, 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 representative, Lori Lousararian, told Rolling Stone that the legendary guitarist died following “a recent fall at his home,” though further details remain unclear.
Frehley rose to fame in 1972 as a co-founder of KISS alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. The group’s theatrical makeup and larger-than-life stage personas — Demon, Starchild, Spaceman, and Catman — turned them into global icons. Ace embodied the “Spaceman,” becoming a household name among rock fans.
He left the band in 1982 amid creative differences, shortly before their famous “unmasking” era. Frehley went on to launch a solo career, forming Frehley’s Comet, active from 1984 to 1988.
In 1996, he rejoined KISS for their massive reunion tour and remained with the band until 2002. His guitar work helped define some of the group’s biggest hits, including “Detroit Rock City,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.”
Between 1974 and 1975, KISS released three albums — Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed to Kill — building a cult following known as the “Kiss Army.” The band’s breakthrough came with their 1975 live album Alive!, which went four times platinum and gave them their first Top 40 hit with the live version of “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
Frehley also enjoyed solo success with songs like “Back in the New York Groove” and “Into the Night.” His final performance with KISS took place during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
His passing comes just days after fellow KISS co-founder Gene Simmons was hospitalized following a car crash in Malibu. Simmons, 76, later assured fans he was “completely fine.”
Ace Frehley leaves behind a towering legacy as one of rock’s most influential guitarists — a true pioneer whose riffs, style, and stage presence helped shape a generation of rock music. His “Spaceman” persona will forever remain etched in rock history.
