Ace Frehley, the iconic lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band Kiss, has died at 74. His passing was confirmed by Us Weekly.
"We are completely devastated and heartbroken," Frehley’s family told Us on Thursday, October 16. "In his final moments, we were fortunate to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this world."
The family statement continued, "We appreciate your fondest memories, his laughter and celebrate the strength and kindness he brought to others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic and incomprehensible proportions. As we reflect on all of his incredible achievements, Ace’s memory will live on forever!"
Frehley died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey. He was surrounded by family. His death followed a recent fall at his home.
The news of his passing comes just 10 days after Frehley announced the cancellation of his remaining 2025 solo tour dates. He cited "ongoing medical issues" in a statement posted on Facebook on October 6.
Earlier, Frehley had canceled a September 26 performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California. This cancellation was also due to a fall that required a hospital visit.
His tour manager, John Ostrosky, posted at the time that Frehley suffered a "minor fall in his studio." Ostrosky added that Frehley was "fine," but doctors insisted he not travel.
Frehley was best known as "The Spaceman" or "Space Ace" in Kiss. He co-founded the band in 1973 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss.
The band quickly rose to fame in the 1970s. They released 14 platinum albums and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Kiss retired from touring in 2023. The band was scheduled to reunite in November for the 50th anniversary of its fan club, the Kiss Army. Kiss also plans to release a 50th-anniversary edition of its album Dressed to Kill on October 24.
Frehley, a Bronx native born in 1951, began playing guitar as a teenager. After joining Kiss in 1973, the band released seven studio albums and two live albums between 1974 and 1979. Their distinctive makeup and costumes made them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
He departed Kiss in 1982 due to creative differences. Peter Criss had been dismissed from the band in 1980.
Frehley went on to form his own band, Frehley’s Comet, and later launched a solo career. He reunited with Kiss for a successful reunion tour in 1996.
His most recent solo album, 10,000 Volts, was released in 2024. In February, he told SiriusXM that he was also working on a new covers album, Origins Vol. 3.
Frehley married Jeanette Trerotola in 1976. They had a daughter, Monique, now 45. He was legally married to Trerotola in 2018, even though he had been engaged to Rachael Gordon since 2010.
Frehley and Gordon separated in 2019. He later met Lara Cove at a Kiss convention in New Jersey, and they became engaged before separating in 2024.