Ace Frehley, Kiss Lead Guitarist, Dead At 74

Ace Frehley of Kiss performs at Arco Arena on August 28, 1996 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

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The former lead guitarist and founding member of Kiss, Ace Frehley, has died at age of 74. According to a statement released by his family, Frehley died as a result of the injuries he suffered from a fall last month:

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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. 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 had canceled all of his 2025 tour dates last week following undisclosed medical issues he was dealing with. Today, Frehley’s official instagram put out a statement confirming the fall lead to his death:

“Ace Frehley, GRAMMY® Award nominated and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted rock guitarist; and iconic founding member of KISS, died today at age 74. Frehley passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall at his home. Frehley is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, nieces Suncere Frehley and Julie Salvner, nephews Sky Frehley and Andrew Salvner, sister-in-law Michelanne and brother-in-law Ron Salvner.”

Kiss Release Statement On Ace Frehley’s Death

Ace Frehley was a founding member of the iconic rock outfit Kiss, who’ve become one of the most beloved American bands of the last century. Kiss Members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons put out the following statement: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Frehley joined Kiss in 1972 and was a part of the band’s seminal albums including the bands 1974 self-titled debut, the 1975 Kiss live album Alive!, 1976’s Destroyer among others. After quitting the band in 1982, Frehley went on to pursue his solo career which he performed under until his death. In 1996, Frehley had rejoined Kiss for a short lived reunion tour that concluded in the summer of 1997.

Whether you’re diehard fan of Kiss or you never got around to them, their sonic footprint is all over rock music as we know it today. Countless bands and rock musicians routinely cite Kiss and Ace Frehley’s guitar playing as a core piece to their musical upbringing: metal icons like Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell revered Ace Frehley and took great inspiration from his style of lead guitar playing. Ace Frehley has left the world with a timeless collection of music, and his impressionable guitar playing continues to have the same effect on aspiring rock musicians as it did during his prime.