Kiss founding member Ace Frehley dies aged 74, weeks after canceling tour dates over health issues

Ace Frehley, guitarist and founding member of the rock group Kiss, has died. He was 74.

The musician suffered a fall at home in September, and TMZ reported earlier today that he had sustained a brain bleed which left him on life support.

His death was announced by his family. In a statement to Rolling Stone, they said: “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.

“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. 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’s tour manager John Ostrosky shared September 25 via Facebook that the musician had suffered a “minor fall” and would have to cancel an upcoming tour date.

A subsequent update from Frehley’s official page on October 6 announced: “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates.”

Frehley played in numerous bands in New York before answering an advertisement in 1972 placed by rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss, who were seeking a lead guitarist. He got the job, and by January 1973 the four-piece had named themselves Kiss.

Between 1974 and 1975, Kiss released three albums (Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill) which built a cult following of fans who called themselves the “Kiss Army.”

Their mainstream commercial breakthrough came with 1975 live album Alive!, which went platinum four times over and gave the band their first top 40 hit with the live version of previous single “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Frehley’s frenetic playing on Alive! would become a significant influence on a generation of young guitarists.

In 1978, all four band members released eponymous solo records, and Frehley’s became the biggest seller. He wrote three songs for the band’s 1979 album Dynasty and another three for 1980's Unmasked.

In the early 1980s Frehley found himself sidelined, as Criss left the band and Stanley and Simmons formed a tighter unit. On the band’s 1982 “Creatures of the Night” tour he was replaced by guitarist Vinnie Vincent.

Frehley formed his own band, Frehley's Comet, in 1984. They released a self-titled album in 1987 and a follow-up, Second Sighting, in 1988.

In 1996, Frehley and Criss rejoined Kiss for a successful reunion tour. The original line-up released a new album, Psycho Circus, in 1998. Frehley’s last performance with the band was at the closing ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.