Ace Frehley, the iconic lead guitarist of KISS, has died at the age of 74 from injuries sustained during a fall last month, per music-news.com.
The legendary musician, known to fans as “Spaceman” for his persona in the band, reportedly suffered a brain bleed after falling and hitting his head in his home studio, according to TMZ. Frehley passed away surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” the Frehley family said in an emotional statement confirming the news to Variety. “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.”
The statement continued: “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Frehley was a founding member of KISS, which formed in 1973 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential rock acts of all time.
He first left the band in 1982 but returned for a hugely successful reunion tour in 1996, remaining with them until 2002. Frehley also enjoyed a prolific and lucrative solo career.
KISS has been celebrated for its revolutionary theatrical live performances and has sold an estimated 30 million albums globally. The band holds the record for the most certified Gold records by any American band in history, with a total of 30. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Frehley’s signature style and swagger inspired generations of musicians, including members of bands like Metallica, Pantera, Foo Fighters, and Weezer.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the rock icon from former bandmates and the wider music community.
KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley released a joint statement saying they were “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,” they wrote.
In his own social media post, Simmons added that “no one can touch Ace’s legacy,” lamenting that Frehley did not live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors event in December.
Original KISS drummer Peter Criss shared his shock, posting, “I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you!”
Other artists also paid tribute, with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready calling Frehley a “hero” who changed his life and inspired him to pick up the guitar. Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides described Frehley as a founding member of “the most important American rock and roll band of all time.”
Frehley is survived by his wife, Jeanette, and his daughter, Monique.
•Featured image: Ace Frehley/Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
