Ace Frehley, the pioneering guitarist whose blazing riffs and “Spaceman” alter ego helped define the look and sound of Kiss, has died at the age of 74. He passed away on October 16 2025 in Morristown, New Jersey, after suffering blunt‑trauma head injuries from a fall. The official cause of death was confirmed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
From the Bronx to global rock‑stardom, Frehley’s journey is a testament to raw talent meeting theatrical vision. He joined the newly forming Kiss in 1973, alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. Almost immediately the group became synonymous with wild live shows, flamboyant makeup, and hard‑rock swagger. Frehley’s silver star‑around‑the‑eye mask and smoking‑guitar solos made him an instant icon.
Kiss’s breakthrough came as the band escalated from club billings to arena domination. Frehley’s playing—unorthodox, emotionally charged and full of improvisational fire—became a favoured source of inspiration for younger guitarists. In 1978, when each of the four members released a solo album, Frehley’s stood out: his cover of “New York Groove” became a hit and the album outsold those of his bandmates.
By the early 1980s creative tensions and a heavy lifestyle took their toll, and Frehley left Kiss in 1982 to focus on a solo path and front his own band, Frehley’s Comet. He returned in the mid‑1990s for Kiss’s reunion of the original lineup, from which he stepped away in 2002, citing a belief the “farewell tour” had run its course.
Despite the years, his legacy only grew. Rockers from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready to Tool’s Maynard James Keenan have pointed to Frehley as an early influence. His stage persona, flair for showmanship and harnessing of guitar theatrics made him more than a player — he was a character as well.
Frehley is survived by his wife and daughter, and leaves behind a body of work that helped define hard rock’s golden era. In his own way, he embodied the “rock and roll all night” spirit, always ready to light up the stage and the imagination of fans.