Rock legend Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS, has died at the age of 74 — after his family made the devastating decision to remove him from life support. Sources close to the family describe the final hours as “unbearably quiet,” with loved ones gathered around his bedside, holding his hand as classic KISS ballads played softly in the background.
Frehley’s rep Lori Lousararian told Rolling Stone that the musician’s health deteriorated following a ‘recent fall at his home,’ though details beyond that were not immediately clear.
In the days leading up to his death, Frehley canceled all remaining tour dates – a decision he called ‘difficult’ in an Instagram post to fans.
Sources close to Frehley told TMZ that he had been on a ventilator for days, with doctors seeing little improvement before the heartbreaking decision was made.
Frehley’s family issued a statement obtained by Rolling Stone saying they ‘are completely devastated and heartbroken’ by his passing, but relieved they were able to provide him with comfortable conditions at the end.
KISS legend Ace Frehley has died at the age of 74 after suffering a devastating brain bleed that left him on life support; (pictured 2018 in NYC)
After being hospitalized and placed on a ventilator, the iconic musician died Thursday when his family made the difficult decision to turn off life support; Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons pictured in 1975
‘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,’ Frehley’s family said.
Frehley’s family honored the musicians legacy as well as ‘his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.’
They 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 is the first member of the original four members of Kiss to pass away. The original lineup consisted of him, singer/guitarist Paul Stanley, bass player Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss.
The musical ensemble, which formed in 1973, in 2014 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Frehley played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s wild, face-painted legacy, bringing essential elements of showmanship to KISS’s act.
The band famously blended hard rock anthems – such as Detroit Rock City, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, and Rock and Roll All Nite – with elaborate costumes, wigs, platform boots and over-the-top pyrotechnics.
Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a ‘minor fall in his studio’ that landed him in the hospital.
Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour
The musician reportedly collapsed in his home studio a few weeks ago, hitting his head in a frightening fall that triggered the medical crisis; (Stanley, Peter Criss, Simmons, Frehley in 1976)
Frehley was one of the first performers to introduce to the stage guitars that glowed, emit smoke and shot rockets, with many in the industry following his lead in enhancing their instruments to give fans another element of the show to look forward to.
After leaving the group in 1982, he launched Frehley’s Comet before reuniting with KISS for their blockbuster 1996 reunion tour.
He remained active in the band until 2002, continuing to perform and record solo in the years that followed.
Frehley told the website Antihero in April of 2024 that he was proud of carving his own niche as a singles artist as well as a part of the band.
‘Out of the four founding members of Kiss, I definitely have been the most successful solo artist,’ he said, a claim backed up by his 1978 hit New York Groove.
Frehley said that he was also very proud to be influential in his industry, acclaimed clearly backed up by the influx of memorials crediting him for his ingenuity.
‘I have to say, almost every guitar player I meet, at least 75 percent, if not more, say to me, “I picked up the guitar because of you. When I heard Alive!, that was it, I decided to pick up a guitar and start learning your songs,”‘ he said.
Said Frehley: ‘That’s going to be pretty much my legacy that I was able to make the transition from a supergroup like Kiss to being a successful solo artist.’
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello posted an emotional memorial mentioning what a huge impact the musician had on him in his career
Poison frontman Bret Michaels shared an emotional memorial to Ace on social media
Rumors rippled through the rock world that Frehley had passed after veteran music journalist Mitch Lafon tweeted, ‘Ace, Thank you for the music & memories God bless.’
A slew of memorials followed, led by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.
The KISS tandem said they were ‘devastated’ by Fraley’s death in a joint statement submit to The Hollywood Reporter.
Stanley and Simmon called Frehley ‘an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.’
The iconic pair continued: ‘He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. [Our] thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.’
The cryptic farewell was echoed by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, who added, ‘Godspeed, Ace’ – fueling speculation that something was seriously wrong with the beloved guitarist.
Poison frontman Bret Michaels shared an emotional memorial to Ace on social media with a selfie of them posed with one another.
‘Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,’ Michaels said in reference to the 1988 Poison party anthem.
(L-R) Gene Simmons, Peter Criss (bottom), Ace Frehley (top), Paul Stanley posed in a KISS group shot in 1975; Stanley and Simmons said they were ‘devastated’ by Fraley’s death
Musician MJ Keenan shared a childhood memory as he tried to emulate his hero Frehley
He wrapped up in writing, ‘All my love and respect, from my family and myself – may you rest in peace!!!’
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello posted an emotional memorial mentioning what a huge impact the musician had on him and his career.
‘My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has passed away,’ Morello said. ‘The legendary Space Ace Frehley inspired generations to love rock n roll and love rock n roll guitar playing.
‘His timeless riffs and solos, the billowing smoke coming from his Les Paul, the rockets shooting from his headstock, his cool spacey onstage wobble and his unforgettable crazy laugh will be missed but will never be forgotten.’
Morello finished in thanking Frehley ‘for a lifetime of great music and memories.’
A post from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on X detailed the huge influence Frehley had on the burgeoning musician.
‘Ace was a hero of mine and also I would consider a friend,’ McCready said. ‘I studied his solos endlessly over the years… Just listen to “Alive”, I used his solo from “She” as a template.’
McCready recalled a Madison Square Garden concert in which Frehley joined the band onstage to perform the track Black Diamond, which he characterized as ‘a dream come true .’
McCready wrapped up in saying, ‘I would not have picked up a guitar without Ace and KISS’s influence. RIP it out Ace, you changed my life. Thank you.’
Musician Richie Kotzen said he was ‘saddened’ to hear about the death of ‘a true legend,’ accompanying the post with the selfie of them posed together.
Amid his recent health woes, Frehley’s official Instagram assured fans he was ‘fine’ in an Instagram post on September 25, though doctors had ordered him not to travel.
Just a week later, a follow-up post confirmed he was canceling the remainder of his 2025 dates, citing ‘ongoing medical issues.’
The emotional posts left fans frantic for answers, especially after Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour.
‘Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates,’ read the somber message posted to his official Instagram on Monday, October 6.
It was the second time in weeks the ‘Spaceman’ musician pulled out of shows due to health concerns. Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a ‘minor fall in his studio’ that landed him in the hospital.
The post at the time read: ‘Dear Rock Soldiers, Ace had a minor fall in his studio, resulting in a trip to the hospital. He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.
‘As a result, he is forced to cancel his performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California on Friday, September 26th.
‘Please go to the fair to support his friends in Quiet Riot and Vixen, and Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, Origins Vol. 4.’
KISS icon Gene Simmons has broken his silence after he was hospitalized following a car crash in Malibu earlier this week
The troubling news about Frehley comes just days after his KISS bandmate Simmons broke his silence following a frightening car crash in Malibu.
The 76-year-old star was hospitalized last week after apparently passing out while driving down Pacific Coast Highway and slamming into a parked car.
Simmons was treated at a local hospital and later released, telling fans he’s ‘completely fine.’
Taking to X, the bassist joked about his driving skills while thanking everyone for their support: ‘Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us who are horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.’
NBC4 LA reported that Simmons’ Lincoln Navigator veered into a parked vehicle after he allegedly fainted behind the wheel.
The rock icon has since reassured fans he’s recovering and doing well.
