ACE FREHLEY, FOUNDING KISS GUITARIST, DIES AT 74.(PHOTO).

 Ace Frehley, founding KISS guitarist, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and founding member of the rock band KISS, has died at the age of 74. His family confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement, expressing that they were “completely devastated and heartbroken.” The statement said Frehley’s loved ones were able to be by his side during his final moments, surrounding him with “loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions” as he passed. They added, “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.”

Known to millions of fans as “The Spaceman,” Frehley helped create one of rock’s most iconic bands when he co-founded KISS in New York City in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. The band’s explosive live shows — filled with makeup, theatrical costumes, and pyrotechnics — propelled them to global fame, eventually making KISS one of the best-selling rock acts in history. Frehley’s distinctive guitar style and onstage persona made him an essential part of the band’s identity. KISS was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, honoring the lineup that helped define a generation of hard rock music.

Frehley left KISS in 1982 to pursue solo work but reunited with the band in 1996 for a world tour before parting ways again in 2002. His solo career included several acclaimed albums, including those released with his group Frehley’s Comet, and his most recent record, 10,000 Volts, which debuted in 2024. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1999 for KISS’ PsychoCircus in the Best Hard Rock Performance category. Just weeks before his death, Frehley had canceled his remaining 2025 tour dates due to health issues.

In December, Frehley was set to be honored alongside KISS at The Kennedy Center Honors. His surviving family members include his wife, Jeanette; daughter, Monique; siblings Charles and Nancy Salvner; and several nieces and nephews. In a joint statement, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons paid tribute to their former bandmate, calling him “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.” Fellow founding member Peter Criss added his own tribute, saying, “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. He died peacefully with his family around him. As a founding member of KISS and in Ace’s solo career, he influenced and touched the hearts of millions. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army.”