Confirmation has now come in that former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has passed away after suffering a brain bleed. TMZ have confirmed the passing of the influential hard rocker, who was said to have been placed on life support in recent weeks after suffering a fall in the studio.
Known as the ‘The Spaceman‘, Frehley was an original member of hard rock legends KISS, playing with the band from 1973 to 1982. Amid establishing himself with a prolific solo career, he went on to rejoin the band in 1996, with that stint running through to 2002. He later established himself with a prolific solo career that spanned decades and was touring up until just weeks before his untimely passing. Frehley was 74-years-old.
Frehley had been scheduled to tour through the later months of 2025, however his plans were put on hold several weeks ago, with a public statement scrapping his plans citing unspecified “medical issues.” Those medical issues appear to have been related to the injuries he is said to have sustained in the fall, which according to TMZ, left him on life support showing no signs of improvement. As such, his family were said to have been faced with the hard decision to let him go.
Frehley‘s family commented of his passing in a new statement:
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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.
We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. 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!”
KISS‘ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley said in a joint statement:
“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. 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.”
Frehley‘s label home MNRK Music Group have issued the following official statement regarding the passing of the late Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer.
“With profound sorrow, MNRK Music Group mourns the loss of the iconic and beloved rock guitarist and MNRK recording artist Ace Frehley, who passed away today at age 74.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the devoted community of fans who have stood faithfully by his side through every era of his career,” says MNRK President and CEO Sean Stevenson.
“We at MNRK Music Group are deeply honored to have worked alongside Ace and to have been his label home since 2014. His creativity, humor, and passion for music will remain an enduring part of MNRK’s story.”
As a founding member of KISS, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a dynamic solo artist, The Spaceman forever changed the sound and spirit of rock music. His fiery playing, unmistakable style, and larger-than-life presence inspired generations to pick up the guitar and chase their own musical dreams.
