Liputan6.com, Jakarta Paul Daniel Frehley, aka Ace Frehley, lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary band KISS has passed away at the age of 74.
The musician, nicknamed "The Spaceman," passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Morristown, New Jersey, United States.
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This sad news comes after Ace Frehley suffered a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall in his home studio a few weeks earlier.
Frehley’s family wrote in the statement: “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."
His longtime bandmates, Kiss‘ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, wrote in a statement: “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."
Ace Frehley: The Iconic Guitarist of KISS
Ace Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York City, USAst.
His musical journey began at the age of 13 when he received an electric guitar as a Christmas present.
Despite never taking formal guitar lessons, he mastered the instrument and was inspired by greats like Jimi Hendrix, Albert Lee, Buddy Guy, and bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.
Before joining KISS, he played in several local bands.
In 1973, along with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss, Ace Frehley founded KISS, a band that would change the face of rock music.
Frehley created the iconic "The Spaceman" persona.
His contributions to KISS's signature sound were significant, evident in songs like "Detroit Rock City," "Rock and Roll All Nite," and "Strutter."
Solo Career and Musical Legacy
After leaving KISS in 1982, Ace Frehley embarked on an equally successful solo career, forming the band Frehley's Comet.
His 1978 debut solo album, "Ace Frehley," went platinum and became the best-selling solo album by the four KISS members of the Soundscan era.
He continued his career with the release of Frehley's Comet in 1987 and rejoined KISS for a highly successful reunion tour in 1996, which lasted until 2002.
Ace Frehley's solo career continued to flourish with the release of albums such as Anomaly (2009), Space Invader (2014), and Spaceman (2018).
His most recent solo album, 10,000 Volts, released in February 2024, peaked at #72 on the Billboard 200 and topped both the Billboard Hard Music and Rock Album charts.
Personal Struggles and Music Recognition
Behind the glitz and glamour of the stage, Ace Frehley also faced personal struggles, including alcohol and substance abuse.
However, he successfully recovered and became sober.
Despite financial hardships, including the foreclosure of his home in 2013, his passion for music has never waned.
Ace Frehley's contributions to rock music have been widely recognized.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as co-founder and lead guitarist of KISS, the highest honor in music history.
Guitar World magazine also ranked him among the top 15 of its "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time," affirming his position as one of the guitar's greatest masters.
His iconic solo on "Shock Me" was also included in Guitar World's "50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time," demonstrating his mastery and innovation in guitar playing.
He also released his autobiography, No Regrets: A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir, in 2011.