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Ace Frehley, KISS lead guitarist, dies at 74
12News Arizona ^ | October 16, 2025 | Krys Shahin

Posted on 10/16/2025 7:28:45 PM PDT by fidelis

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for the rock band KISS, has died. He was 74.

Frehley reportedly suffered a brain bleed when he fell in his studio a couple weeks ago, according to TMZ. The family said he died "peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey" Thursday.

Frehley went to the hospital after a “minor” fall at the end of September and was advised by his doctor “against his wishes” to avoid travel, according to a post on his social media Sept. 25.

It prompted him to cancel his performance set for the following day at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California.

A week later, he canceled his remaining 2025 tour dates citing “ongoing medical issues.” He was set to perform in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio with “more tour dates always being announced.”

Frehley was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock, glam metal band KISS alongside singer Paul Stanley, bassist and part-time singer Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. The band stopped touring as a group in 2023.

The band broke into the limelight after releasing four albums, “Kiss,” “Hotter Than Hell,” “Dressed to Kill,” and live album “Alive!” between 1974 and 1975.

They gained a large following and released hits like “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” and “Detroit Rock City” among many others across dozens of albums. The group was also known for its intense stage shows, which included fireworks, smoke and eruptions of fake blood performed by band members in black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs.

(Excerpt) Read more at 12news.com ...


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: ace; acefrehley; kiss; morristown; music; newjersey; rock
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Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced that Kiss had been named one of this year’s recipients for the Kennedy Center Honors. Frehley previously endorsed Trump in 2020, calling him “the strongest leader we’ve got.”
1 posted on 10/16/2025 7:28:45 PM PDT by fidelis
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To: fidelis

Ok...now i’m bummed out....Ace was my Guitar Hero...


2 posted on 10/16/2025 7:35:16 PM PDT by rmccullo
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To: rmccullo

He was in town for a concert this year.


3 posted on 10/16/2025 7:50:45 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: fidelis

“suffered a brain bleed when he fell in his studio a couple weeks ago”

Damn...I’m 74 so this hits close to home. I’m on a blood thinner because COVID caused blood clots 15 months ago. I could see something like a fall causing a brain bleed.

I continue to venture out into the wilds on my own, though. Did a 7.8 mile loop through the Diablo Range a couple days ago and did not pass a single person. Did a 3 mile out-and-back in the Santa Cruz Mountains today and passed only two people. At least I’ve got my Garmin checking in for me and it’s got an “SOS” button to summon Search and Rescue if needed.


4 posted on 10/16/2025 7:56:00 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: fidelis

We’re losing way too many musicians. Incredibly sad.


5 posted on 10/16/2025 7:59:48 PM PDT by mairdie
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To: fidelis

OMG. Saw Kiss in concert twice on the Dynasty tour. He was the reason I picked up a Les Paul and my favorite member of Kiss. RIP space Ace.


6 posted on 10/16/2025 8:01:30 PM PDT by gawatchman ( )
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
> suffered a brain bleed when he fell in his studio <

I have mentioned this elsewhere. When you reach a certain age, it’s time to get a cane. Put your ego aside, and get a cane.

I doesn’t have to be a drab “old man” cane. Get yourself a stylish, fancy one.

Heck, even Bat Masterson carried a cane.


7 posted on 10/16/2025 8:07:40 PM PDT by Leaning Right (It's morning in America. Again.)
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To: fidelis

Not my kind of music, but RIP anyway.


8 posted on 10/16/2025 8:09:15 PM PDT by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: mairdie

Very.


9 posted on 10/16/2025 8:14:13 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: fidelis

RIP, Ace.


10 posted on 10/16/2025 8:14:32 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

If I may make a suggestion:

Go with someone on your hikes. Ask your doctor if that is a reasonable approach. There are other risks beside hitting your head when you are taking blood thinners.A spontaneous bleed for one.
Good luck and enjoy those hikes safely.

IMHO


11 posted on 10/16/2025 8:20:29 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: Leaning Right

“Put your ego aside, and get a cane.”

And if you’re a bit taller than average (as I am), you can get a bespoke one starting at about $50.

https://www.canesgalore.com/


12 posted on 10/16/2025 8:21:35 PM PDT by decal (They won't stop, so they'll have to be stopped)
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To: gawatchman
"OMG. Saw Kiss in concert twice on the Dynasty tour."

My youngest son, now 54, was a big KISS fan when he was much younger. He went to at least a couple KISS concerts when they had tour dates in NY State.

13 posted on 10/16/2025 8:22:48 PM PDT by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: mairdie

“We’re losing way too many musicians. Incredibly sad.”

Yes, but Keith Richards is still with us.


14 posted on 10/16/2025 8:28:57 PM PDT by wjcsux (On 3/14/1883 Karl Marx gave humanity his best gift, he died. )
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To: fidelis

At 10 years old in 1978 we all but believed he was actually from another planet. Magical times. Being in a school friend’s room listening to Kiss Alive 1 playing horrible air guitar Staring at awe at the album cover.


15 posted on 10/16/2025 8:30:43 PM PDT by toddausauras (47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 )
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Good for you! Keep on trucking. I have friends in their mid 80’s who still walk at least 6 miles everyday, and the husband rides 20 miles on his bike after that!


16 posted on 10/16/2025 8:35:20 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: wjcsux

Keith Richards secret is that he has very little blood in his alcohol system and that the drugs have preserved his organs


17 posted on 10/16/2025 8:39:19 PM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

There’s probably a lot of truth to that.


18 posted on 10/16/2025 8:42:06 PM PDT by wjcsux (On 3/14/1883 Karl Marx gave humanity his best gift, he died. )
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To: Getready

Thanks. I joined a new hiking group. It’s hard to find a solo partner, unfortunately.

Hadn’t thought about the possibility of a spontaneous bleed. I do carry special clotting bandages in case I get cut or lacerated.


19 posted on 10/16/2025 8:43:24 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: fidelis

Destroyer is still an album I play now and then, and Ace was always my favorite member of KISS. RIP.


20 posted on 10/16/2025 8:44:52 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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