Ace Frehley, Founding Member and Original Lead Guitarist of KISS, Dies After Studio Accident and Brain Bleed
Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist who co-founded the rock band KISS and helped define an entire era of arena rock, has died at the age of 74. The news was confirmed Thursday following reports that Frehley had been hospitalized and placed on life support after suffering a severe brain bleed caused by a fall in his home studio several weeks earlier. His death closes a remarkable chapter in rock history — one built on spectacle, electricity, and the undeniable power of a guitar riff that could shake an entire stadium.
According to TMZ and multiple outlets, Frehley fell inside his studio in late September and was rushed to a New Jersey hospital, where he was treated for a traumatic brain injury. Doctors placed him on life support as his condition worsened. Sources close to his family said the guitarist remained unconscious for several days before his passing. He was surrounded by loved ones when he died, according to statements shared with the media.
Frehley’s family released a heartfelt note describing his final moments as peaceful and full of gratitude for the fans who had supported him for over five decades. “Ace lived and breathed music,” the statement read. “He was more than a guitarist — he was an innovator, a dreamer, and a pioneer who changed what it meant to be a rock star.”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, he became known to millions simply as “Ace.” When he joined forces with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss in the early 1970s, the world witnessed the birth of one of the most iconic acts in music history. With his silver-painted “Spaceman” persona, electrifying solos, and a style that combined technical skill with showmanship, Frehley helped KISS become a global phenomenon. His blazing guitar work powered classics like “Shock Me,” “Cold Gin,” and “Detroit Rock City,” and his wild stage antics — including smoking guitars and fiery pyrotechnics — became trademarks of the band’s unforgettable performances.
Frehley left KISS in 1982 to pursue a solo career, releasing several albums that showcased his distinct sound and fearless experimentation. His debut solo record, released in 1978 as part of KISS’s four simultaneous solo projects, produced the hit “New York Groove,” which remains a staple on classic rock stations to this day. Over the years, Ace would reunite with KISS for tours and anniversary shows, including their legendary 1996 reunion tour, before officially parting ways again in the early 2000s. Despite creative differences, he remained a beloved figure among KISS fans worldwide.
In recent years, Frehley continued to perform and record, releasing his album 10,000 Volts in 2024. He was preparing for another tour when health issues forced him to step back. Friends said he had been in high spirits about returning to the road, even joking about “taking the Spaceman suit out for one last ride.” Sadly, that return never came.
Tributes have poured in from across the rock community. Former bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons expressed their sadness, with Stanley calling him “a true original” and Simmons writing, “The music world lost a legend, and I lost a brother.” Fans around the world have shared emotional messages, posting old concert clips and photos under the hashtag #FarewellSpaceman — a nod to the larger-than-life image that made him an icon.
For millions who grew up under the spell of his guitar, Ace Frehley was more than a musician. He was the embodiment of rock rebellion — loud, fearless, and unapologetically himself. His influence can still be heard in generations of guitarists who followed, from heavy metal shredders to stadium rock performers. Even after leaving KISS, he carried that spark of stardom everywhere he went, turning every stage into his own galaxy.
Ace Frehley’s music will live forever, echoing in the roar of every amplifier and in the hearts of fans who believed, as he did, that rock ’n’ roll could make the world feel limitless. The Spaceman has taken his final bow — but his legend will never fade.
