Ace Frehley, the original guitarist of KISS, died Thursday at the age of 74, after being hospitalized due to an accident that occurred weeks ago.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate to surround him with loving, caring and peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this world,” said a statement issued by the family to national media.
“We cherish his fondest memories, his laughter, and celebrate the strength and kindness he brought to others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic and incomprehensible proportions. As we reflect on all of his incredible accomplishments, the memory of Ace will live on forever,” he continued.
Prior to the announcement, close sources revealed to TMZ that the guitarist was in a hospital after suffering a stroke following a fall in his recording studio a few weeks ago, which led to the cancellation of his live performances.
The legendary musician was placed on life support and according to the celebrity media outlet the family made the difficult decision to turn off his ventilator.
The last moments of Ace Frehley
After suffering the fall, a post on his Instagram announced that the musician was “feeling fine,” but that “against his will,” he would stop traveling on the recommendation of his doctor.
Shortly thereafter, another publication announced the cancellation of the remaining dates Frehley had scheduled for the rest of 2025.
Ace Frehley was one of the founding musicians of the band KISS, famous for their iconic and theatrical makeup, as well as their hard rock and glam rock sound. The band was formed in 1973 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
Each member represented a character with distinctive makeup and costumes: Simmons as ‘The Demon’; Stanley as ‘The Starchild’; Criss as The Catman and finally Frehley as The Spaceman.
Alongside KISS, Frehley helped write some of the band’s most popular songs such as ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’, ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ and ‘Detroit Rock City’.
By 1982, the guitarist left the group to begin his solo career with his project called Frehley’s Comet, but in 1996 he returned to the band.
However, in 2002 he left the group again and was replaced by Tommy Thayer in the role of The Spaceman. Since then, he continued to develop his solo career, reported Agencia EFE.
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