Los Angeles, Oct 17 (AP) Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and a founding member of the iconic glam rock band Kiss, passed away on Thursday at the age of 74. Frehley, known for his distinct galactic makeup and theatrical performances, died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his family after a recent fall, as confirmed by his agent.
In a heartfelt statement, Frehley's family expressed their devastation, noting that they are "completely devastated and heartbroken" but intend to cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he showed to others. Kiss, known for hits like "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made for Lovin' You," captivated audiences with their flamboyant stage shows, complete with fire, fake blood, and their signature black-and-white face paint.
The original lineup of Kiss included Frehley, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss, with Frehley's passing marking the first death among the founding members. The band members each adopted larger-than-life stage personas, with Frehley famously portraying "Space Ace" or "The Spaceman." Known for his experimentation with pyrotechnics, Frehley often made his guitars glow and emit smoke, adding a unique flair to their performances.
In a joint statement, Simmons and Stanley expressed their sorrow over Frehley's death, stating, “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.”
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, Ace grew up in a musical family and started playing the guitar at age 13. Before joining Kiss, he played in local New York City bands and even worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at the age of 18.
Kiss rose to immense popularity in the mid-1970s, selling millions of albums and becoming a marketing phenomenon with their iconic look. “Beth” became their biggest commercial hit in the U.S., reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976. As a testament to their cultural impact, President Donald Trump named Kiss among the honorees of the Kennedy Center in recent times.
In 2024, the band sold their catalog and intellectual property to Sweden's Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal worth over USD 300 million. Despite his pivotal role, Frehley's relationship with Stanley and Simmons was often tumultuous, leading to his departure from the band in 1982. Although Vinnie Vincent replaced him, there were talks of Eddie Van Halen joining the band at one point.
Frehley performed both as a solo artist and with his band, Frehley's Comet, but he rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a successful reunion tour, which coincided with renewed interest and tributes from bands like Nirvana and Weezer. Despite another departure in 2002, Frehley occasionally performed with Kiss in later years. A planned performance for their 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction was scrapped due to a dispute over the lineup, with Simmons and Stanley opposing the inclusion of Frehley and Criss.
Frehley's influence extended beyond Kiss, impacting the glam metal style embraced by 1980s bands like Motley Crue and Poison. Bret Michaels of Poison expressed gratitude on Instagram, acknowledging Frehley's contribution to their music. Hard rock bands such as Metallica and Pantera, and even country superstar Garth Brooks, showed admiration for Frehley and Kiss, with Brooks collaborating on a song for a 1994 compilation.
A recent concert at Madison Square Garden in 2023 was billed as Kiss's last. While Stanley and Simmons have indicated that they will not tour again, they remain open to future concerts and continue to promote the group's music and memorabilia. (AP)
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