Posted on 10/16/2025 4:22:19 PM PDT by Morgana
KISS legend Ace Frehley has died at the age of 74 after suffering a devastating brain bleed that left him on life support.
After being hospitalized and placed on a ventilator, the iconic musician passed away Thursday when his family made the difficult decision to turn off life support, per TMZ.
The musician reportedly collapsed in his home studio a few weeks ago, hitting his head in a frightening fall that triggered the medical crisis, per the outlet.
Since then, his condition worsened, forcing the rock icon to cancel all remaining tour dates.
Sources close to Frehley said he had been on a ventilator for days, with doctors seeing little improvement before the heartbreaking decision.
Frehley — the Bronx-born guitarist who helped form KISS in 1973 alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss — played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s wild, face-painted legacy.
rehley was the guitar genius behind KISS classics like Detroit Rock City, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, and Rock and Roll All Nite.
After leaving the group in 1982, he launched Frehley’s Comet before reuniting with KISS for their blockbuster 1996 reunion tour.
He remained until 2002, continuing to perform and record solo in the years that followed.
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Did I not read that Gene Simmons was in the hospital also?
Yea he was in a car accident but so far he’s okay.
I saw KISS once purely for the theatrical show long after they had become a thing. It was a check them out so one had a least seen their show. It was when they still did the full makeup. Kind of a bucket list show.
RIP Ace.
Like seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show at a midnight showing with many if full costume glory. Did it 1982 and it was great.
RIP and thanks for the music.
Yes same era. Sadly Tim Curry isn’t doing so well either these days.
Almost everyone my age idolized Ace at 10 or so years old. He was always the coolest Kiss member. Sad. Rest in Peace Ace I hope life on Jendel is restful for you.
I was in my 20s when Kiss first arrived on the scene so I was a little too old for their theatrical music, being an Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Kinks fan, but I knew a younger guy who idolized them and will be devastated to hear this news.
Rest In Peace, Ace.
I was 8 when I first got exposed to KISS through my older brothers and their friends. I was memorized at the time and knew all the songs. Gene turned out to be such a pussy/ fuddy duddy during the Covid thing.
Ace will be missed. RIP Rocker.
RIP, but “guitar genius”?
He lived twice as long as he oughta. God blessed him. Hope he turned it around.
Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley. Lots of history here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Frehley
The part about his nickname is funny.
Dude grew up as a Lutheran!
Frehley and Kiss were not exactly my cup of tea, but, he had a unique style of playing, and played well. He was completely self-taught on guitar, evidently.
The big decline in my own Dad, at a slightly older age, also started with a fall and head injury... Dad lived a pretty healthy lifestyle, which may be part of how he partially recovered B4 an eventual slow slide down...
RIP to Ace and prayers for his family and friends. That had to be a tough decision. :-(
That song and Beth are two of my favorite songs. 💔
For those who only know of his work with KISS please listen to this outstanding instrumental, "Fractured Mirror", from his solo album from 1978.
I'd been using a tagline that applies to Ace without ever associating it. Good voyage and thanks for the good works, sir.
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