Ace Frehley, Founding Member of Kiss, Dies at 74 After Fall at New Jersey Home

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of the iconic rock band Kiss, known to millions as “The Spaceman,” died Thursday at his home in Morristown, New Jersey. He was seventy-four.

Frehley’s family confirmed in a statement that his death followed a recent fall. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved father, brother, and friend,” the statement read. “Ace brought light, music, and laughter to countless lives around the world.”

Frehley, whose shimmering silver-and-white face paint and electrifying guitar solos helped define Kiss’s explosive stage identity, played a pivotal role in shaping one of rock’s most theatrical and commercially successful bands.

Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, he discovered his passion for guitar at age thirteen. By sixteen, his bandmates had nicknamed him “Ace” for his reputation as a “lady’s ace.” 

When Kiss formed in 1973, Frehley adopted the name full time, joining Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss to complete the founding lineup.

During Kiss’s rise in the 1970s, Frehley became a symbol of the band’s cosmic allure, performing under his stage persona The Spaceman. 

His custom guitars often rigged with smoke and pyrotechnics became staples of Kiss concerts, while his blistering solos elevated songs like “Love Gun,” “Cold Gin,” and “Shock Me.”

Despite early skepticism from critics, Kiss built a devoted fanbase, known as the “Kiss Army,” and sold millions of records worldwide. 

The band placed eight singles in the Billboard Top 40 during Frehley’s first tenure, including “I Was Made for Loving You” and “Christine Sixteen.”

Music historian Robert Vance said Frehley’s influence extended far beyond his flamboyant image. “Ace Frehley was the bridge between glam theatrics and hard rock musicianship,” Vance said. 

“He gave Kiss not just spectacle but soul the sense that behind the makeup was a real rock guitarist pushing creative boundaries.” Rock critic Emily Porter noted that Frehley’s guitar tone became iconic in its own right. 

His Les Paul solos were instantly recognizable raw, melodic, and full of attitude, she said. “For a generation of guitarists, Ace wasn’t just a character; he was the real deal.”

After leaving the band in 1982, Frehley launched a solo career marked by both success and struggle. His debut album, Ace Frehley (1978), produced the hit single “New York Groove,” which reached the Billboard Top 20 and later became a New York sports anthem.

He rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a reunion tour and performed through 2002, contributing to the band’s resurgence during a wave of nostalgia for 1970s rock.

Kiss sold more than 100 million albums globally, ranking among the top selling bands in history. Frehley’s contributions appeared on over a dozen of the group’s releases, including Destroyer (1976), Love Gun (1977), and Dynasty (1979).

While Kiss’s image often drew as much attention as its sound, Frehley’s solo work earned enduring respect. His 1978 album outsold solo releases by other bandmates and remains a cult favorite among fans.

According to Nielsen Music data, “New York Groove” continues to stream more than one million times monthly across digital platforms, underscoring the lasting appeal of Frehley’s signature style.

Outside Kiss’s global fame, Frehley maintained close ties with fans and fellow musicians. In Morristown, local resident Daniel Ruiz described him as humble and approachable. 

“You’d see Ace around town sometimes,” Ruiz said. “He was quiet, kind, never acted like a rock star. It’s strange to think he’s gone.”

Fans across social media expressed sorrow Friday, sharing photos and concert memories. “He was the heartbeat of Kiss,” one fan wrote on X. “Without Ace, there’s no magic in the makeup.”

Former bandmate Paul Stanley posted a tribute on Instagram: “Ace was one of a kind. His guitar spoke louder than words ever could. We shared a journey few can imagine, and I’ll never forget it.”

Gene Simmons, who was hospitalized earlier this month after a car crash in Malibu, issued a brief statement: “We lost a brother today. Rest easy, Space Ace.”

Frehley’s passing comes as Kiss’s legacy continues to evolve. The band completed its “End of the Road” farewell tour in 2023, but its members recently announced plans for a digital hologram version of the group, blending performance with AI technology.

Music analyst Karen Lee said Frehley’s death might deepen interest in Kiss’s early catalog. “There’s a renewed fascination with 1970s rock pioneers,” Lee said. 

Collectors and younger fans alike are rediscovering what made Ace Frehley and Kiss so culturally powerful the energy, the rebellion, the theatrical excess.

Plans for a public memorial have not yet been announced, but Frehley’s family said details would follow in the coming days.

Ace Frehley’s journey from a Bronx teenager to an international rock icon defined an era of performance driven music. As Kiss’s “Spaceman,” he helped turn concerts into cosmic spectacles, leaving a mark on rock that endures beyond costume and fire.

While tributes pour in from across the world, his riffs from “Shock Me” to “New York Groove” continue to echo through arenas and headphones alike, ensuring that his spirit, much like the band’s immortal anthem, will “Rock and Roll All Nite.”