Ace Frehley, Founding Member of Kiss, Dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the electrifying original lead guitarist of Kiss, whose flamboyant performances, explosive guitar effects, and unforgettable “Spaceman” stage persona helped turn the band into one of rock’s greatest spectacles, has died at the age of 74.

His family confirmed that Frehley died Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey, from complications following a recent fall at his home.

Frehley’s passing marks the end of an era for one of the most visually and sonically daring acts in rock history. Known for his silver-and-white makeup and a signature guitar that spewed smoke and fireworks, Frehley embodied the spirit of Kiss — loud, theatrical, and unapologetically over the top. He helped the group sell millions of albums and build a fan base so devoted they dubbed themselves the Kiss Army.

During his time with the band — from its founding in 1973 through his first departure in 1982, and again during a reunion from 1996 to 2002 — Frehley became a defining figure in hard rock. He wasn’t just the guitarist; he was a showman, designer, and co-architect of the group’s enduring brand. Frehley even designed the band’s now-famous Kiss logo, complete with lightning-bolt-style lettering that would become one of the most recognizable symbols in music.

The Spaceman Takes Flight

Paul Daniel Frehley was born in the Bronx on April 27, 1951, the youngest of three children. His father was an electrical engineer, and his mother, Esther, encouraged his early interest in music. Inspired by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he began playing guitar at 13, receiving his first electric model as a Christmas gift. His parents had hoped music would keep him out of trouble — a plan that only partly succeeded.

Frehley earned his nickname “Ace” as a teenager because of his knack for “acing” his friends — particularly helping bandmates find dates.

In 1972, Frehley spotted a classified ad in The Village Voice reading, “Lead guitarist wanted with flash and ability.” He auditioned for the new band that would become Kiss — with his mother driving him to the tryout. The chemistry with bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley, and drummer Peter Criss was instant. His flamboyant personality and electrifying guitar work secured him the spot, and soon, Ace Frehley, “The Spaceman,” was born.

Kiss Takes the World

Kiss exploded onto the rock scene with their self-titled debut album in 1974. By combining raw rock energy with elaborate makeup, pyrotechnics, and elaborate stage theatrics, they redefined what a rock concert could be. Their look and performances initially drew criticism from purists who dismissed them as a gimmick. But teenagers adored them, and Kiss quickly became one of the world’s biggest live acts.

Frehley’s contributions were vital to the band’s success. He co-wrote and played on several of Kiss’s best-known songs, including “Cold Gin,” “Shock Me,” “Love Gun,” and “Detroit Rock City.” His piercing guitar solos and confident swagger became as much a part of Kiss’s identity as Simmons’s tongue or Stanley’s star makeup.

Though he initially shied away from singing, Frehley took on lead vocals for the first time with “Shock Me” in 1977, a song inspired by his real-life experience of being electrocuted onstage.

Superstardom and Struggles

By the late 1970s, Kiss was a global phenomenon, selling out arenas and releasing hit albums like Destroyer (1976) and Love Gun (1977). Their theatrical performances were legendary, featuring explosions, blood-spitting, and Frehley’s fiery guitar solos. The band’s fame reached its commercial peak with a flood of merchandise — action figures, lunchboxes, comic books, and makeup kits.

But success came with internal tensions. Frehley often clashed with Stanley and Simmons, who took greater control over the band’s creative direction. His struggles with drugs and alcohol also became increasingly public.

Despite the chaos, Frehley achieved solo success. In 1978, when all four Kiss members released simultaneous solo albums, his single “New York Groove” became a Top 20 hit and remains a classic rock staple. It’s still played at New York Mets games after home victories.

In his 2011 memoir No Regrets, Frehley admitted feeling alienated from his bandmates. “There were Kiss lunchboxes, Kiss action figures, Kiss dolls — you name it, we sold it,” he wrote. “We were making $100 million a year, but I felt like the music was getting lost.”

By 1982, Frehley had quit Kiss. He later cited burnout, creative frustration, and substance abuse as key reasons.

Life After Kiss

After leaving the band, Frehley formed Frehley’s Comet, releasing two albums before embarking on a solo career that produced seven more studio releases. Though none reached the massive commercial heights of Kiss, his work earned respect among guitarists and fans alike for its authenticity and raw energy.

In 1996, he rejoined Kiss for a reunion tour — complete with the full makeup and costumes that had made the group famous. The tour was one of the most successful in rock history, grossing millions and introducing the band to a new generation. Frehley’s final performance with Kiss came in 2002 at the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Legacy and Influence

Over the decades, Frehley became a hero to generations of guitarists. During Kiss’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2014, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello praised him for “blazing unforgettable, timeless licks across their greatest records.”

Frehley’s influence extended far beyond his solos. His stage presence — the smoke-belching guitars, spinning moves, and silver-star makeup — helped shape the visual language of modern rock performance. He embodied a blend of musicianship and theatricality that countless artists, from Metallica to Lady Gaga, have cited as inspiration.

In his later years, Frehley spoke openly about his past struggles and his sobriety. He claimed to have given up alcohol and drugs in 2006 after “ten car accidents,” as he shared in a 2024 podcast.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Trerotola, whom he married in 1978; their daughter, Monique; his brother, Charles; and his sister, Nancy Salvner.

Frehley once reflected on what made his performances unforgettable: “If there are two guitarists of equal ability,” he said in a 1997 interview, “but one jumps around on stage, nine times out of ten, the audience will say that one’s better. To me, image was very important.”

For Ace Frehley, that image — of a silver-suited Spaceman shooting sparks into the air — will remain one of rock and roll’s most enduring.

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