Posted on 10/17/2025 5:18:21 AM PDT by V_TWIN
Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band KISS, has died. He was 74.
The musician’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement released Thursday.
“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,” the statement reads.
Frehley’s former KISS bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons also released a joint statement to Page Six on Thursday.
“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,” they shared.
“He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with [his estranged wife] Jeanette, [daughter] Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
(Excerpt) Read more at pagesix.com ...
“Kiss were kinda of like The Beatles of the 70’s”
No, Kiss was the Twisted Sister of the 70s.
I’ve been a rock and metal fan my entire life. Kiss never did “it” for me but Ace had a loyal fan base and he found a way to make a living playing guitar.
RIP dude.
Ace had been sober since 2006.
That album is supposedly being released with a fresh remaster by the guy who produced the original album. Reportedly this fall as a 50th anniversary edition with extra shows from that tour.
I’m with you. Even though I hate KISS. They were iconic, defining. And basically invented rock and roll merchandising.
All that being said. KISS had some simple music that brings back a lot of good memories memories. I’ve heard Gene and Paul are total pricks.
I was living in a Navy Barracks on Adak... there was no escape... enormous stereos, lotsa Kiss
“Pompous ass” is a derogatory term for a person who is arrogant and full of self-importance, often speaking or behaving in an exaggeratedly formal or grandiose way to appear superior. The word “pompous” describes someone who has an inflated sense of their own dignity and importance...”
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I don’t know about Paul Stanley, but that ☝️ describes Gene Simmons perfectly IMO.
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I will say this about Simmons though......he loves America.....so there’s that.
Ace had been clean and sober for years, but hitting your head in a fall is dangerous.
Ace's friend, radio DJ Eddie Trunk (who signed Frehley's Comet back in the day) will be starting his show on Sirius XM's Faction Talk an hour early today. It will be a memorial to Ace.
Gene does love America. He was born in Israel. His mom is/was a Holocaust survivor. He is very thankful that America knocked out Hitler.
Right, it was the Alive album that made them popular. The first studio albums werent catching the attention of the listeners. The Alive album had an energy that caught everyones ear and thats when things changed.
:)
Yup
The crazy part is that I saw Springsteen play backup to KISS at the old Academy of Music on 14th street. Yes, I’m an old fart too.
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