{"id":5542,"date":"2025-10-17T10:20:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=5542"},"modified":"2025-10-17T10:20:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:20:04","slug":"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-f","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=5542","title":{"rendered":"Rock legend Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS, has died at the age of 74 \u2014 after his family made the devastating decision to remove him from life support. Sources close to the family describe the final hours as \u201cunbearably quiet,\u201d with loved ones gathered around his bedside, holding his hand as classic KISS ballads played softly in the background. But now, shocking new details have emerged about what really led to the rock icon\u2019s sudden collapse just days earlier. According to those closest to him, Frehley had been quietly battling a severe respiratory infection that worsened following a minor heart procedure last month \u2014 a complication that doctors said his body was simply too weak to fight. \u201cHe tried to keep it from everyone,\u201d a longtime friend revealed. \u201cHe didn\u2019t want the fans to worry \u2014 he just wanted to play again.\u201d…\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rock legend Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS, has died at the age of 74 \u2014 after his family made the devastating decision to remove him from life support. Sources close to the family describe the final hours as \u201cunbearably quiet,\u201d with loved ones gathered around his bedside, holding his hand as classic KISS ballads played softly in the background.<\/h1>\n

Frehley\u2019s rep Lori Lousararian told\u00a0Rolling Stone\u00a0that the musician\u2019s health deteriorated following a \u2018recent fall at his home,\u2019 though details beyond that were not immediately clear.<\/p>\n

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In the days leading up to his death, Frehley canceled all remaining tour dates \u2013 a decision he called \u2018difficult\u2019 in an Instagram post to fans.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Frehley\u2019s family issued a statement obtained by Rolling Stone saying they \u2018are completely devastated and heartbroken\u2019 by his passing, but relieved they were able to provide him with comfortable conditions at the end.<\/p>\n

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\"KISS<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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<\/p>\n

\u2018In 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,\u2019 Frehley\u2019s family said.<\/p>\n

Frehley\u2019s family honored the musicians legacy as well as \u2018his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.\u2019<\/p>\n

They continued: \u2018The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.<\/p>\n

\u2018Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace\u2019s memory will continue to live on forever!\u2019<\/p>\n

Frehley is the first member of the original four members of Kiss to pass away. The original lineup consisted of him, singer\/guitarist\u00a0Paul Stanley<\/span>, bass player\u00a0Gene Simmons<\/span>\u00a0and drummer Peter Criss.<\/p>\n

The musical ensemble, which formed in 1973, in 2014 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Frehley played a pivotal role in shaping the band\u2019s wild, face-painted legacy, bringing\u00a0 essential elements of showmanship to KISS\u2019s act.<\/p>\n

The band famously blended hard rock anthems \u2013 such as Detroit Rock City, I Was Made for Lovin\u2019 You, and Rock and Roll All Nite \u2013 with elaborate costumes, wigs, platform boots and over-the-top pyrotechnics.<\/p>\n

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Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a \u2018minor fall in his studio\u2019 that landed him in the hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Frehley<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"The<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Frehley was one of the first performers to introduce to the stage guitars that glowed, emit smoke and shot rockets,\u00a0with many in the industry following his lead<\/span>\u00a0in enhancing their instruments to give fans another element of the show to look forward to.<\/p>\n

After leaving the group in 1982, he launched Frehley\u2019s Comet before reuniting with KISS for their blockbuster 1996 reunion tour.<\/p>\n

He remained active in the band until 2002, continuing to perform and record solo in the years that followed.<\/p>\n

Frehley\u00a0told the website Antihero\u00a0in April of 2024 that he was proud of carving his own niche as a singles artist as well as a part of the band.<\/p>\n

\u2018Out of the four founding members of Kiss, I definitely have been the most successful solo artist,\u2019 he said, a claim backed up by his 1978 hit New York Groove.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u2018I have to say, almost every guitar player I meet, at least 75 percent, if not more, say to me, \u201cI 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,\u201d\u2018 he said.<\/p>\n

Said Frehley: \u2018That\u2019s 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Rage<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rage Against the Machine\u2019s Tom Morello posted an emotional memorial mentioning what a huge impact the musician had on him in his career<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Poison frontman Bret Michaels shared an emotional memorial to Ace on social media<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rumors rippled through the rock world that Frehley had passed after veteran music journalist Mitch Lafon tweeted, \u2018Ace, Thank you for the music & memories God bless.\u2019<\/p>\n

A slew of memorials followed, led by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.<\/p>\n

The KISS tandem said they were \u2018devastated\u2019 by Fraley\u2019s death in a joint statement submit to\u00a0The Hollywood Reporter.<\/p>\n

Stanley and Simmon called Frehley \u2018an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.\u2019<\/p>\n

The iconic pair continued: \u2018He is and will always be a part of KISS\u2019s legacy. [Our] thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.\u2019<\/p>\n

The cryptic farewell was echoed by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, who added, \u2018Godspeed, Ace\u2019 \u2013 fueling speculation that something was seriously wrong with the beloved guitarist.<\/p>\n

Poison frontman Bret Michaels shared an emotional memorial to Ace on social media with a selfie of them posed with one another.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we\u2019ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,\u2019 Michaels said in reference to the\u00a01988 Poison party anthem.<\/p>\n

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(L-R) Gene Simmons, Peter Criss (bottom), Ace Frehley (top), Paul Stanley posed in a KISS group shot in 1975;\u00a0Stanley and Simmons said they were \u2018devastated\u2019 by Fraley\u2019s death<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Musician<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Musician MJ Keenan shared a childhood memory as he tried to emulate his hero Frehley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He wrapped up in writing, \u2018All my love and respect, from my family and myself \u2013 may you rest in peace!!!\u2019<\/p>\n

Rage Against the Machine\u2019s Tom Morello posted an emotional memorial mentioning what a huge impact the musician had on him and his career.<\/p>\n

\u2018My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has passed away,\u2019 Morello said. \u2018The legendary Space Ace Frehley inspired generations to love rock n roll and love rock n roll guitar playing.<\/p>\n

\u2018His 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

Morello finished in thanking Frehley \u2018for a lifetime of great music and memories.\u2019<\/p>\n

A post from Pearl Jam\u2019s Mike McCready on X detailed the huge influence Frehley had on the burgeoning musician.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ace was a hero of mine and also I would consider a friend,\u2019 McCready said. \u2018I studied his solos endlessly over the years\u2026 Just listen to \u201cAlive\u201d, I used his solo from \u201cShe\u201d as a template.\u2019<\/p>\n

McCready recalled a Madison Square Garden concert in which Frehley joined the band onstage to perform the track Black Diamond, which he characterized as \u2018a dream come true .\u2019<\/p>\n

McCready wrapped up in saying, \u2018I would not have picked up a guitar without Ace and KISS\u2019s influence. RIP it out Ace, you changed my life. Thank you.\u2019<\/p>\n

Musician Richie Kotzen said he was \u2018saddened\u2019 to hear about the death of \u2018a true legend,\u2019 accompanying the post with the selfie of them posed together.<\/p>\n

Amid his recent health woes, Frehley\u2019s official Instagram assured fans he was \u2018fine\u2019\u00a0 in an Instagram post on September 25, though doctors had ordered him not to travel.<\/p>\n

Just a week later, a follow-up post confirmed he was canceling the remainder of his 2025 dates, citing \u2018ongoing medical issues.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The emotional posts left fans frantic for answers, especially after Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour.<\/p>\n

\u2018Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates,\u2019 read the somber message posted to his official Instagram on Monday, October 6.<\/p>\n

It was the second time in weeks the \u2018Spaceman\u2019 musician pulled out of shows due to health concerns.\u00a0 Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a \u2018minor fall in his studio\u2019 that landed him in the hospital.<\/p>\n

The post at the time read: \u2018Dear 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018As a result, he is forced to cancel his performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California on Friday, September 26th.<\/p>\n

\u2018Please 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"KISS<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

KISS icon Gene Simmons has broken his silence after he was hospitalized following a car crash in Malibu earlier this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The troubling news about Frehley comes just days after his KISS bandmate Simmons broke his silence following a\u00a0frightening car crash in Malibu<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Simmons was treated at a local hospital and later released, telling fans he\u2019s \u2018completely fine.\u2019<\/p>\n

Taking to X, the bassist joked about his driving skills while thanking everyone for their support: \u2018Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I\u2019m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us who are horrible drivers. And that\u2019s me. All is well.\u2019<\/p>\n

NBC4 LA reported that Simmons\u2019 Lincoln Navigator veered into a parked vehicle after he allegedly fainted behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

The rock icon has since reassured fans he\u2019s recovering and doing well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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