Ace Frehley, the iconic original lead guitarist and a founding member of the legendary rock band Kiss, has passed away at the age of 74. He died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his family. Frehley's death comes after he suffered a brain bleed resulting from a fall in his home studio in late September.

The musician, widely known as "The Spaceman" or "Space Ace," was an integral part of Kiss's formative years, contributing to their first nine albums. His distinctive guitar playing, characterized by its aggressive, atmospheric, and melodic style, along with his innovative use of "special effects" guitars, left an indelible mark on the rock music landscape. Frehley's family expressed their devastation, stating, "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."

Following the fall in his studio, Frehley initially canceled a performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in California on September 26th. This was followed by the cancellation of the remainder of his 2025 tour dates due to "ongoing medical issues." His doctor had advised him against travel following the incident, a decision that Frehley reluctantly accepted.

Frehley's former Kiss bandmates, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, released a joint statement expressing their grief. "He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history," they said. "He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy." Drummer Peter Criss also shared his shock, posting on X, "I'm shocked!!! My friend … I love you!" Frehley's passing marks the first death among the four original founding members of Kiss.

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York City in 1951, he co-founded Kiss in 1973. After his initial departure from Kiss in 1982, he formed his own band, Frehley's Comet, and later pursued a successful solo career. He rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a reunion tour, which lasted until 2002. His most recent solo studio album, "10,000 Volts," was released in 2024. Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.