Farewell to the Spaceman: KISS Guitar Legend Ace Frehley Dies at 74, Leaving a Cosmic Legacy Behind

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding force behind the iconic rock band KISS, passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74.

The news stunned fans and fellow musicians alike: the man whose “Spaceman” persona and pyrotechnic guitar theatrics helped define an era of glam-rock is now gone.

Though his death has been officially confirmed by family sources, the circumstances remain clouded by unanswered questions—and a few haunting details.

According to statements released by his family and representatives, Frehley died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by loved ones.

They said he had recently suffered a fall at his home, a mishap that reportedly led to complications and brain bleeding.

The fall is thought to have occurred in September, when Frehley announced he would cancel upcoming tour dates because of “ongoing medical issues.

Some media outlets have cited anonymous sources saying he was placed on life support following the injury and a brain bleed.

No cause of death beyond those reports has been formally confirmed by medical authorities.

But the sequence of events is being pieced together: Frehley’s touring schedule was curtailed days prior, and earlier in September he reportedly suffered what was described as a “minor fall” in his studio, forcing him to withdraw from a performance.

On October 6, his official channels posted that he would cancel the remaining 2025 dates due to his health.

This is the first time a founding member of KISS has passed away—until now, original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss were still living.

In the wake of the announcement, those surviving members issued a joint tribute: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons declared, calling him an “essential and irreplaceable rock soldier.

Peter Criss, too, mourned his friend and bandmate: “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away.

He died peacefully with his family around him,” Criss said in a statement.

“His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army.

”Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in New York City, he would later adopt the monikers “Ace,” “Space Ace,” or “The Spaceman” for his stage persona.

Long before the glam and the makeup, Frehley grew up in the Bronx and picked up guitar early—by 13 he was already playing in local bands.

At age 18 he briefly worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, a connection he’d later reference in interviews.

In 1973, Frehley responded to an ad placed by Paul Stanley and joined forces with Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss to form the band KISS.

 That group would go on to become one of the biggest acts in rock, known as much for their explosive stage shows as for their music.

Songs like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Beth,” and “Detroit Rock City” became anthems, while the band’s image—face paint, platform boots, and theatricality—set them apart.

Frehley’s guitar work was integral to the band’s sound.

He contributed signature riffs and solos to early albums and helped to conceptualize some of KISS’s visual motifs—including designing the band’s logo.

Onstage, he was a spectacle: guitars that emitted smoke, spun rockets, lights timed to solos—props befitting his persona as a cosmic rock warrior.

In 1978, each member of KISS released a solo album.

Frehley’s eponymous solo project stood out, powered in part by his cover of “New York Groove,” which became a hit.

However, tensions within the band, creative differences, and personal struggles led him to depart in 1982.

He pursued solo projects and formed his own band, Frehley’s Comet, releasing several albums under that name.

In 1996, the original lineup reunited, and for a time Frehley returned to active performance.

He played on the 1998 KISS album Psycho Circus before ultimately stepping away again in 2002.

Over the years, he continued to produce solo albums and tour, enduring ups and downs but never completely leaving his His final solo studio album, 10,000 Volts, was released in 2024.

Plans were reportedly underway for a new album, Origins Vol. 3, before his health took a turn.

In public statements, his family expressed overwhelming grief.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” they said.

“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.

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.

His death leaves a profound void in rock music.

The loss is felt not just by the KISS community but by generations of guitarists who cite Frehley’s work as formative.

While Stanley, Simmons, and Criss survive him, the anniversary of this passing will mark a turning point for the band’s living legacy.

Though his final moments were shrouded in uncertainty, the life behind the legend is indelible.

From the Bronx to sold-out stadiums, Frehley embodied a rare fusion of technical skill, visual flair, and audacious stage personality.

His guitars may fall silent, but the cosmic echoes of The Spaceman are already legendary—and will almost certainly inspire stories, tributes, and deep dives into every riff he ever recorded.