(KRON) – Legendary founding KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died Thursday from injuries related to a fall in his studio last month, according to reports from multiple outlets. Frehley, 74, was on life support earlier in the day.
In a statement to Variety and USA Today, Frehley’s family said, in part: “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… 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!”
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Last week, a post on his official Instagram announced that Frehley would be canceling all his remaining tour dates in 2025 due to “ongoing medical issues.” TMZ, citing sources familiar with the situation, report that Frehley suffered a brain bleed as a result of the fall and that his health has not improved.
Guitarist Ace Frehley of Kiss performs at Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom on June 22, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage)
Frehley, who died in Morristown, New Jersey, was reportedly on a ventilator earlier Thursday but the family was considering turning off life support due to a negative prognosis, according to TMZ.
Frehley was a founding member of the legendary rock band KISS, along with bassist Gene Simmons, frontman Paul Stanley, and drummer Peter Criss. His iconic initial stint with the famously costumed and grease-painted band lasted from 1973 until 1982.
A lead guitarist in the classic 1970s “guitar hero” mode, Frehley embodied his “Spaceman” (also known as “Space Ace”) persona on stage with his silver makeup and Gibson Les Paul.
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He departed the band amid personal differences and issues with substance abuse, later rejoining in 1996 for a reunion tour. He remained with the group until 2002. Outside of KISS, Frehley made several albums on his own including 1987’s “Frehley’s Comet,” and most recently, 2024,’s “10,000 Volts.” The artist also released an autobiography, “No Regrets — A Rock ‘N’ Roll Memoir,” in 2011, which debuted at no. 10 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Frehley, along with the rest of KISS, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Thursday evening, the Hollywood Walk of Fame announced it would be placing flowers on Frehley’s star, which he shares as part of KISS. Meanwhile, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posted a tribute to Instagram, writing, “A crucial part of a band that inspired a generation of hard rockers to pick up instruments, “Space Ace” will be remembered as one of the most recognizable and influential guitarists of all time.”
KISS lead vocalist Gene Simmons said in a post Thursday evening, “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
KISS is set to receive the 48th Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7 in Washington, D.C., and Frehley will become only the third person in the center’s history to receive the honor posthumously.
