KISS founding member Ace Frehley has died aged 74. Photo / Getty Images
KISS founding member Ace Frehley has died aged 74. Photo / Getty Images
KISS founding member and original lead guitarist Ace Frehley has died aged 74.
His family said in a statement they were “completely devastated and heartbroken”, reported media in the United States.
“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 statement said.
“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!”
Ace Frehley, the wild Spaceman of Kiss who played guitar in the band throughout their Seventies heyday and again during the reunion period in the Nineties and inspired an entire generation of musicians, has died at age 74.
Frehley left the band in 1982 before rejoining for a reunion tour in 1996.
Ace Frehley was known by fans of the glam rock band by his persona of "Space Ace" or "Spaceman". Photo / Getty Images
He then stayed with KISS until 2002.
During his absence from the rock outfit, he formed his own band, Frehley’s Comet and released solo music.
Last month, Frehley had to cancel a concert after a fall in his studio.
A September 26 post on the guitarist’s official Instagram account said the fall resulted in a trip to hospital.
“He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.”
As a result of the incident, a performance had to be cancelled, it said.
An update on the same account last week said: “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates”.
Sources have told TMZ that Frehley suffered a brain bleed when he fell in his studio, which forced him to cancel the remaining shows of his tour.
TMZ reported the star had been on a ventilator “for some time” but his health had not improved.
