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| Ace Frehley |
Ace Frehley passed away Thursday at the age of 74 due to complications from a traumatic brain bleed sustained in a fall at his home studio in late September. The incident occurred around September 26, leading to his immediate hospitalization. Initial statements from his team downplayed the severity, noting it as a "minor fall" and advising against travel, but his condition rapidly deteriorated. He was placed on life support, with family members reportedly considering end-of-life decisions as his prognosis worsened.
Ace Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, was a pioneering guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the iconic hard rock band KISS. Known onstage as "The Spaceman" or "Space Ace," Frehley was celebrated for his inventive guitar riffs, charismatic persona, and signature makeup—complete with a star over one eye—that helped define KISS's theatrical glam-rock style.
His contributions to the band's sound and image were instrumental in their rise to global stardom in the 1970s, selling over 100 million albums worldwide.
Early Days with KISS (1973–1982): Frehley joined forces with Gene Simmons (bass/vocals), Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar/vocals), and Peter Criss (drums) to form KISS in 1973. He penned and performed on hits like "Cold Gin," "Parasite," "Shock Me," and "New York Groove." His solo tracks on KISS albums, such as "Fractured Mirror" from Dressed to Kill (1975), showcased his raw, bluesy edge. Live, Frehley's antics—like shooting flames from his guitar—made him a fan favorite.
Solo Ventures and Reunions: After leaving KISS amid personal struggles with substance abuse in 1982, Frehley launched Frehley's Comet in 1984, scoring a Top 20 hit with "Rock Soldiers" from his self-titled debut. He reunited with KISS for their blockbuster 1996–2002 tours, contributing to the platinum Kiss Alive 1975-2000 album. Post-reunion, he resumed solo work, releasing Anomaly (2009) and 10,000 Volts (2024), the latter earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album.
Legacy: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014, Frehley influenced generations of guitarists with his Les Paul mastery and unapologetic showmanship. Despite band tensions—often fueled by his off-stage excesses—he remained a symbol of rock 'n' roll rebellion.Frehley's life wasn't without challenges; he battled addiction for decades, achieving sobriety in the 2000s, but health issues, including a 2023 hip replacement, had slowed his touring schedule.