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The rocker died after falling in the recording studio in September. Ace Frehley, original Kiss guitarist, dies at 74

The rocker died after falling in the recording studio in September.

Ace Frehley, original Kiss guitarist, dies at 74

The rocker died after falling in the recording studio in September.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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October 16, 2025 6:17 p.m. ET

Ace Frehley performing with Kiss in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug 28, 1996. Credit:

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for Kiss, has died.

The iconic rocker died at age 74 in Morristown, N.J., on Thursday after falling in the studio in September. A cause of death was not immediately available. Frehley was hospitalized after the incident and canceled his then-upcoming shows in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.

Frehley's family announced the guitarist's death in a press release on Thursday. "We are completely devastated and heartbroken," the family wrote. "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."

The family's statement continued, "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!"

Ace Frehley in New York City on Oct. 16, 2018.

Daniel Zuchnik/Getty

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in 1951, the musician grew up in the Bronx in New York City, where he began playing guitar at age 13. He first played in bands such as the Outrage, the Four Roses, and King Kong, and dropped out of school at one point to give further attention to his musical endeavors. He eventually returned and received his diploma before working a number of odd jobs.

In 1972, Frehley followed an advertisement in *The Village Voice* to audition for a band, which ultimately included bassist Gene Simmons, rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, and drummer Peter Criss. He joined their outfit less than a month later, and the group settled on the name Kiss in early 1973.

Frehley adopted the stage persona "the Spaceman" (or "Space Ace") as the band's act evolved into its now-legendary black-and-white makeup aesthetic. He contributed songwriting to two tracks, "Love Theme from KISS" and "Cold Gin," from the band's 1974 self-titled debut album.

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The guitarist wrote the songs "Parasite" and "Strange Ways" (and co-wrote "Comin' Home" with Stanley) on the band's sophomore album *Hotter Than Hell*. He later penned the track "Getaway" (and co-wrote "Rock Bottom" with Stanley) from their third LP *Dressed to Kill*, and co-wrote "Flaming Youth" with Simmons, Stanley, and producer Bob Ezrin on the band's fourth studio album *Destroyer*.

Frehley did not contribute any compositions to the album *Rock and Roll Over* in 1976, but he broke new ground with *Love Gun*, singing lead vocals for the first time on his song "Shock Me."

All four members of Kiss released eponymous solo albums in 1978, and Frehley's, which included the hit cover "New York Groove," proved to be the most successful of the solo ventures.

Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons of Kiss in Los Angeles in 1975.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The rocker continued singing on the record *Dynasty*, contributing vocals to his songs "Save Your Love" and "Hard Times" as well as the group's cover of the Rolling Stones' "2,000 Man." He sang lead on three more songs on *Unmasked*: "Talk to Me," "Two Sides of the Coin," and "Torpedo Girl."

The musician's final album with Kiss during his first run with the band was 1981's *Music From "The Elder*.*" *He only sang lead on "Dark Light," and also helped write the instrumental tracks "Escape from the Island" and "Finale." However, Frehley was displeased with Simmons and Stanley's desire to record a concept album, and departed the group shortly after the LP's release.

After leaving Kiss, Frehley formed a new band, which alternated between the names Frehley's Comet and simply Ace Frehley, in the mid-1980s. The group eventually released *Frehley's Comet* in 1987, and Frehley recorded two more albums without Kiss that never reached the commercial heights of his previous band.

Frehley rejoined Kiss for a 1996 reunion tour, and appeared on the group's 1998 album *Psycho Circus*, on which he contributed lead vocals to "Into the Void" and "You Wanted the Best." Following another tour with the group in 2001, Frehley departed Kiss once again.

Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons of Kiss in New York City on April 10, 2014.

Jim Spellman/WireImage

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The musician released *Anomaly* in 2009, and continued recording and releasing solo albums throughout the 2010s and 2020s. He briefly reunited with Kiss on the Kiss Kruise in October 2018, where he performed four songs with his former bandmates. He also published an autobiography, *No Regrets – A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir*, in 2011.

Frehley was also announced as an honoree for a 2025 Kennedy Center distinction alongside his former Kiss bandmates. That ceremony is set to take place on Dec. 7.

Frehley is survived by his wife Jeanette, his daughter Monique, his brother Charles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

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