Ace Frehley, Kiss’ authentic lead guitarist, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the unique lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, died on Thursday, his household and agent stated. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by household in Morristown, New Jersey, following a latest fall, his agent informed The Related Press.

Members of the family stated in an announcement to AP that they’re “completely devastated and heartbroken” however will cherish his laughter and have a good time the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Frehley was recovering from a “minor fall” that compelled him to cancel a scheduled efficiency in late September, his tour supervisor, John Ostrosky, also referred to as John Ostronomy, stated in a Fb submit final month addressed to followers. Medical doctors suggested Frehley to not journey following his fall, Ostrosky stated. 

Ace Frehley performs onstage at iTHINK Monetary Amphitheatre on Oct. 10, 2021, in West Palm Seashore, Florida.

Jason Koerner / Getty Photographs / Jason Koenrer

Born in 1951 within the Bronx, Frehley grew up surrounded by music and obtained his first electrical guitar as a Christmas current in 1964.

Frehley co-founded Kiss in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. He performed on a lot of Kiss’ basic albums, together with “Destroyer,” “Rock and Roll Over” and “Love Gun.” Right now, Kiss has extra gold albums than another American band and has offered greater than 100 million information worldwide. 

Kiss, whose hits embody “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City,” was recognized for its intense stage reveals, which included fireworks, smoke and eruptions of pretend blood carried out by band members in black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs.

L-R: Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley of KISS performing in Germany on March 8, 1999.

Brill/ullstein bild by way of Getty Photographs

He later launched his first solo album, “Ace Frehley,” in 1978, and his music “New York Groove” shortly grew to become successful. After leaving Kiss in 1982, he fashioned the band Frehley’s Comet and later continued recording underneath his personal identify.

In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for his or her 1996 reunion tour however left once more within the early 2000s. The band continued with substitute members carrying the Frehley and Criss make-up and costumes. Kiss carried out a farewell tour in 2023.

Frehley and his bandmates had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2014.

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