KISS Legend Ace Frehley Dies at 74 Following Brain Bleed from Fall

KISS Legend Ace Frehley Dies at 74 Following Brain Bleed from Fall

Rock & roll has lost one of its cosmic pioneers. Ace Frehley — the legendary co-founder and original lead guitarist of KISS, best known as the band’s “Spaceman” — has died at age 74 after suffering a brain bleed caused by a recent fall, according to multiple reports confirmed by Variety, Rolling Stone, and USA Today on October 16, 2025.

The news was first shared in a statement linked through Frehley’s official site and social channels, where his family requested privacy as fans and fellow musicians continue to pour out tributes for the man who changed rock forever.

The Rise of the Spaceman

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx in 1951, Ace became synonymous with KISS’s interstellar imagery — that silver makeup, the electrified solos, and the aura of rebellion that helped define 1970s arena rock. He co-founded KISS in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss, contributing not just to the group’s explosive sound but to its otherworldly persona.

Frehley’s lead guitar work anchored some of KISS’s most unforgettable anthems — including “Cold Gin,” “Shock Me,” “Love Gun,” and “Detroit Rock City.” His unique fusion of bluesy grit and theatrical distortion made him one of rock’s most influential guitarists, inspiring generations of players who came after him.

A Wild Ride of Fame, Fall, and Redemption

Despite his success, Frehley’s time in KISS was turbulent. Struggles with alcohol and substance abuse led to multiple departures from the band, first in 1982 and again after the 1996 reunion tour. Yet, even through the chaos, Ace’s impact never faded.

In the 2000s, he staged one of rock’s most inspiring comebacks, achieving long-term sobriety and a string of acclaimed solo projects. His 2009 album Anomaly and 2014’s Space Invader both landed on Billboard’s rock charts, proving the Spaceman still had fire left in his jetpack.

His Final Days

Just days before his passing, Frehley had canceled the remainder of his tour on October 7, 2025, citing “unforeseen health issues.” At the time, fans speculated it was temporary — few imagined it would be his last public update.

Tributes Pour In

Across social media, tributes have been flooding in.Former bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons both released statements expressing grief and gratitude, calling Ace “a brother in riffs” and “the spark that launched the rocket.” Musicians from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Foo Fighters credited him as a “blueprint” for what it means to be a true guitar hero.

Fans gathered outside KISS landmarks in New York and Los Angeles, leaving guitars, candles, and hand-painted stars in his honor.

A Legacy Written in Fire and Stardust

Ace Frehley’s career spanned five decades, from KISS’s pyrotechnic glory days to his own successful solo tours and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2014. More than just a guitarist, he was a symbol of freedom — wild, loud, and unapologetically himself.

As one fan wrote on X: “He wasn’t just the Spaceman. He was the sound of every kid who ever picked up a guitar and dreamed of being larger than life.”

Rest in peace, Ace Frehley — forever orbiting in rock’s brightest galaxy.

Sources: Variety, Rolling Stone, USA Today, Official Ace Frehley Website.