
Ace Frehley 1951-2025: Guitar community mourns the death of Kiss’s trailblazing founding guitarist
Tributes have been pouring in from the guitar and wider music community following the news that Ace Frehley, Kiss’s trailblazing founding guitarist who was instrumental in their success, has died aged 74.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” reads a statement from Frehley’s family, shared with Variety. “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,” read a statement from the guitarist’s family.
“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. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
No official cause of death has been given yet, but TMZ reported the guitarist was on life support following a recent fall at his home studio, which caused a brain bleed and forced him to cancel a string of upcoming tour dates.
Kiss lead the tributes to their former guitarist, with a statement on the band’s social media reading: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. 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.”
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Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello calls Ace Frehley his “first guitar hero”, thanking him for inspiring “generations to love rock ‘n’ roll” and for his “timeless riffs and solos”
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Extreme virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt shares a similar sentiment, reflecting on how Kiss was the “first rock band I wanted to be like”, adding, “So long, Spaceman.”
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“As far as I’m concerned Ace was the coolest dude out of the original four,” write Opeth. “He had some type of swagger that almost defined the term itself. A hard rocking Keith Richards of sorts, albeit in silver makeup and platform heels. Kiss was very much an introduction to my ‘school of rock’. All my childhood friends were fans of Kiss, and many of them regarded Ace as the ultimate rock-star.”
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“I am so shocked and saddened that this happened to my hero and my friend,” adds John 5. “I’ve known Ace since 1988 and we’ve been very close ever since then. Ace changed the world. He influenced millions of people and changed my life. I will miss you my friend.”
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Elsewhere, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick calls Frehley “truly an iconic guitar player”, noting his “undeniable role in the creation and success of Kiss”, and his influence on “millions of guitarists around the world”.
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Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee say they are “absolutely stunned and saddened” at the news of Frehley’s death.
“Back in 1974, as the opening act for Kiss, Alex, Neil [Peart] and myself spent many a night hanging out together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of, just to make him break out his inimitable and infectious laugh.
“He was an undeniable character and an authentic rock star. RIP Ace… thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock and roll world.”
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Frehley was born April 27, 1951, and started playing the guitar aged just 13. After spending his early 20s playing in various rock bands, he would successfully audition for a new project being formed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss in 1972. He would help conceptualise Kiss, and launch the band in 1973.
As Kiss’ Spaceman, Frehley brought an old-school hard-rock attitude to the band’s lofty theatrics, drawing on his early influences such as Cream, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. While the band slowly garnered an audience in its first year, he established a frenetic playing style that provided a grounded counterbalance to his sci-fi persona and the band’s overall bombastic stylings.
Frehley would co-write the occasional song for Kiss’ early material, but increased his writing credits by the late 1970s – 1979 and 1980 albums Dynasty and Unmasked both featured three Frehley-penned songs. Despite this, he began to find himself pulling in a more experimental, less commercial direction than Simmons and Stanley, especially after Peter Criss’ firing in 1980.
By 1982, he had left the group and embarked on a solo career. In 1987 he released the self-titled record with his solo band Frehley’s Comet, which was well-received.
Alongside Criss, Frehley rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a successful reunion tour. After the band’s original lineup embarked on a ‘farewell’ tour in 2001, however, he departed and resumed his solo career. Following some disputes with the remaining members of Kiss surrounding payment, he didn’t return to the band to participate in their final tours.
He continued releasing music under his own name after his departure, with his next LP scheduled for released this year.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net