😱 Gene Simmons’ Shocking Confession: The Secret He Kept From KISS Fans For 40 Years 😱

Ace Frehley, the iconic guitarist of KISS, passed away at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that forever changed the landscape of rock and roll.

The news of his death sent shockwaves across the music world, and tributes poured in from fans, fellow musicians, and his former bandmates.

However, it was Gene Simmons’ deeply emotional and uncharacteristically vulnerable reaction that captivated everyone.

Known for his tough, business-minded persona, Simmons showed a side of himself that many had never seen before.

Ace’s death followed complications from a fall in his home studio, which led to a brain bleed.

Despite initial reassurances, his condition worsened, and he passed away surrounded by loved ones.

Gene Simmons, who had a tumultuous relationship with Ace spanning five decades, released a statement that revealed the depth of their bond.

“Today, I lost more than a bandmate. I lost a brother,” Simmons wrote, opening up about their shared history and the regrets he carried.

He disclosed that he and Ace had reconnected privately in recent months, planning to meet before Christmas—a meeting that would now never happen.

Simmons admitted to fans something he had kept hidden for over 40 years: when Ace left KISS in 1982, he was devastated.

While he portrayed a tough exterior publicly, privately, he begged Ace to stay, even offering to change aspects of the band to accommodate him.

Gene described Ace as the soul of KISS in its early years, the spiritual center whose laugh and musical intuition were irreplaceable.

He confessed to secretly watching Ace’s solos during the reunion tours, transported back to their early days as hungry kids playing in clubs.

The most moving part of Gene’s tribute was his regret over the original lineup not performing together one last time.

“My greatest regret will always be that the four of us couldn’t find a way to share the stage one last time,” he wrote, acknowledging the pride and business decisions that stood in the way.

He ended his tribute with words that resonated deeply with fans: “Wherever you are now, Space Ace, save me a spot in your band. I’ll bring the bass. You bring that laugh that could light up any room.”

Ace Frehley’s journey began in the Bronx, New York, where music was a constant presence in his family.

His father, an electrical engineer and church organist, and his musically inclined siblings nurtured his love for melody and rhythm.

At 13, Ace received his first electric guitar, and his life changed forever.

Despite a rebellious streak that saw him kicked out of multiple high schools, the guitar became his salvation, giving him purpose and direction.

In 1973, Ace auditioned for KISS, then called Wicked Lester, and his raw, powerful playing impressed Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

He became the band’s lead guitarist, adopting the persona of the Spaceman, complete with silver face paint and black starry eyes.

Ace even designed the iconic KISS lightning bolt logo.

On stage, he was a spectacle, pioneering guitar stunts like smoking guitars and rocket launches.

Offstage, he was shy and reserved, but his talent and charisma shone through.

Ace’s solo album in 1978 proved his star power, becoming the most successful of the four solo albums released by KISS members.

However, the pressures of fame and the rock lifestyle took their toll, leading to his departure from the band in 1982.

Despite leaving KISS, Ace continued to make music, forming Frehley’s Comet and finding success with hits like “Into the Night.”

In 1995, the original KISS lineup reunited for a worldwide tour, thrilling fans who had longed to see them together again.

Ace’s personal life remained relatively private.

He married Janette Trerotola in 1976, and they had a daughter, Monique.

Though they divorced, they remained amicable co-parents, and both were by his side in his final days.

Ace’s faith in God, nurtured by his Lutheran upbringing, became a source of strength in his later years.

He continued to create music and tour into his 70s, releasing his final studio album, “10,000 Volts,” in 2024.

The news of Ace’s passing brought tributes from across the music world.

Fellow KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss expressed their heartbreak, with Peter calling Ace his brother and revealing he was by his side until the end.

Bruce Kulick, who played guitar with KISS after Ace’s departure, praised Ace’s influence and legacy.

Ace’s contributions to rock music were immeasurable, from his distinctive guitar sound to his theatrical performances that set the standard for rock shows.

Despite financial challenges, including losing his home to foreclosure in 2013, Ace remained focused on the music and his fans.

In interviews, he expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who brought joy through his guitar playing.

By that measure, Ace’s life was a resounding success.

His music continues to inspire, and his influence on rock and roll remains unparalleled.

As fans say goodbye to the Spaceman, they are left with an incredible catalog of music and memories.

Ace Frehley’s legacy is one of authenticity, creativity, and passion.

He was a kid from the Bronx who reached for the stars and brought the world along for the ride.

Rest in peace, Ace Frehley—the Spaceman has returned to the stars.