Ace Frehley, the electrifying lead guitarist who helped launch Kiss into rock superstardom with his larger-than-life persona and blazing riffs, died Thursday at the age of 74.
Frehley passed away peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his family. His death follows a recent fall, according to his agent.
In a statement, Frehley’s family said they are “completely devastated and heartbroken,” but will forever celebrate his humor and the kindness he showed to others.
Frehley co-founded Kiss in the early 1970s and quickly became one of rock’s most recognizable figures. With his “Space Ace” persona — complete with metallic face paint, platform boots and a smoking guitar — he helped define the band’s image and sound during its rise to fame.
Kiss became a cultural force through the mid-1970s, delivering high-octane shows filled with pyrotechnics, smoking instruments and theatrical blood-spitting. Hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City” cemented the band’s legacy, while their black-and-white face paint and comic book-style characters became marketing icons. The group sold tens of millions of records and licensed its image across toys, merchandise and pop culture.
Frehley, alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. His passing marks the first death among the band’s four founding members.
Fans and fellow musicians are remembering Frehley not only for his trailblazing guitar work but for helping shape one of the most theatrical acts in rock history. His influence on glam rock, stage performance and guitar culture remains stamped across generations of performers.