Ace Frehley, Iconic "Spaceman" and Founding Member of KISS, Dies at 74

Rock music lost one of its brightest stars on 16th October: Ace Frehley, KISS's original lead guitarist and co-founder, passed away at the age of 74 after suffering injuries in a fall. Frehley, who was well-known for his fiery guitar solos, dramatic stage presence, and "Spaceman" character, was instrumental in creating KISS's distinctive sound and image. In response to his departure, devoted fans throughout the world, industry insiders, and other musicians have all expressed their condolences for the loss of a legend whose influence has endured for decades.

From Bronx to Stardom

Image Courtesy: Moneycontrol

Ace Frehley was born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx, New York, on 27th April, 1951. As a teenager, he played his first guitar. Prior to KISS, he worked odd jobs, including driving a cab, to support himself while playing in a number of local bands. Together with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss, he formed KISS in 1973. He contributed his guitar skills and artistic vision to the band's outrageous stage tricks and space-rock visuals. After a near-electrocution event onstage in 1976, Frehley contributed memorable tunes like 'Cold Gin,' and later took on lead vocals and songwriting duties on songs like 'Shock Me,' a hallmark moment.

In 1982, amid tensions and substance struggles, he left KISS permanently (though he rejoined for reunion tours beginning in the mid‑1990s). He has put out solo albums both under his own name and with Frehley's Comet over the years; '10,000 Volts,' his most recent significant release, came out in 2024. In 2014, he and his KISS colleagues were also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Image Courtesy: CBC

Also Read: https://indigomusic.com/pop-cultures/whats-up-pop-news/hailey-bieber-speaks-outcomparisons-with-selena-gomez-are-annoying-10571854

Ace's Final Moments and Cause of Death

Frehley experienced one or several falls in his home studio in late September 2025, which resulted in an intracranial hemorrhage, or brain bleed. After being admitted to a hospital in Morristown, New Jersey, and put on life support, his condition did not get better over the next few weeks. He eventually died on 16th October, in the company of his loved ones.

In a statement, his family members expressed their thanks for being able to surround him with words of love and peace during his last hours, saying they were "completely devastated and heartbroken." The news sent ripples through the music world. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley issued joint tributes, calling Frehley an "irreplaceable rock soldier" whose work was integral to KISS's formative years.

Image Courtesy: The Wrap

In addition to posting personal condolences on social media, fans staged vigils and told tales of how they first heard his riffs. The loss of the "Spaceman," a pioneer of spectacle and passionate rock, is grieved by many in the business. However, his legacy lives on, amplified by every echo of guitar feedback and every note in Rock and Roll All Nite, endures.

Also Read: https://indigomusic.com/pop-cultures/whats-up-pop-news/richard-geres-wisdom-of-happiness-delivers-a-soulful-portrait-of-the-14th-dalai-lama-10573682