Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, died on Thursday, his family and agent said. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, his agent told The Associated Press.

Family members said in a statement to AP that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Frehley’s former Kiss bandmates, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, said in a statement that they were “devastated” by Frehley’s passing. 

“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” the two said. “He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.” 

Frehley was recovering from a “minor fall” that forced him to cancel a scheduled performance in late September, his tour manager, John Ostrosky, also known as John Ostronomy, said in a Facebook post last month addressed to fans. Doctors advised Frehley not to travel following his fall, Ostrosky said. 

Born in 1951 in the Bronx, Frehley grew up surrounded by music and received his first electric guitar as a Christmas present in 1964.

Frehley co-founded Kiss in 1973 alongside Stanley, Simmons and Peter Criss. He played on many of Kiss’ classic albums, including “Destroyer,” “Rock and Roll Over” and “Love Gun.” Today, Kiss has more gold albums than any other American band and has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. 

Kiss, whose hits include “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City,” was known for its intense stage shows, which included fireworks, smoke and eruptions of fake blood performed by band members in black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs.

He later released his first solo album, “Ace Frehley,” in 1978, and his song “New York Groove” quickly became a hit. After leaving Kiss in 1982, he formed the band Frehley’s Comet and later continued recording under his own name.

In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for their 1996 reunion tour but left again in the early 2000s. The band continued with replacement members wearing the Frehley and Criss makeup and costumes. Kiss performed a farewell tour in 2023.

Frehley and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.