Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of Kiss and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died at age 74 following injuries from a fall last month, his family announced. Frehley was a defining force behind Kiss’s influential sound and iconic image, shaping generations of rock fans and musicians.
Born in the Bronx to a musical family, Frehley picked up the guitar in his teens, inspired by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. He joined Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss in late 1972, just as they were forming what would become Kiss. Known as “Space Ace” for his cosmic persona, he contributed fiery lead guitar work and penned classics like “Cold Gin.”
Kiss’s theatrical concerts—with pyrotechnics, smoke-spewing guitars, and elaborate makeup—became legendary. Their 1975 live album “Kiss Alive!” catapulted them to stardom, and their logo and faces became fixtures on everything from jean jackets to lunchboxes. Frehley’s first lead vocal on “Shock Me” and his standout 1978 solo album, featuring the hit “New York Groove,” cemented his reputation as a creative powerhouse.
Despite success, the band’s embrace of disco on 1979’s “Dynasty” and internal struggles led to Frehley’s departure in 1982. He battled substance abuse but relaunched his solo career with Frehley’s Comet in the late 1980s. Frehley rejoined Kiss for their blockbuster 1996 reunion and contributed to the “Psycho Circus” album but left again in 2002.
Frehley continued to record and tour, collaborating with rock luminaries and releasing five solo albums between 2009 and 2024, including his final record, “10,000 Volts.” He published his memoir, “No Regrets,” in 2011 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss in 2014.
His family wrote, “We are completely devastated and heartbroken… Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever.” Kiss’s Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons remembered him as “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier” and “always a part of Kiss’ legacy.”
Frehley is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, and extended family. His influence on rock music and pop culture endures, his signature riffs and persona forever woven into the fabric of rock history.