'Irreplaceable rock soldier': KISS band members and music world react to death of Ace Frehley

Farewell to the Spaceman.

Ace Frehley, the original guitarist for the rock band KISS, died at the age of 74, his family said in a statement Thursday.

Frehley, a New York native, became one of the founding members of KISS in 1973 alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. Known for their iconic black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs, KISS produced hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City” and sold tens of millions of albums.

Frehley — known by fans as “Space Ace” or “Spaceman” — was with the band until 1982. He rejoined KISS during their 1996 reunion tour and remained with the band until 2002.

He continued creating music and touring as a solo artist through 2025 until suffering a fall in the studio in September and being forced to cancel his remaining dates.

Frehley is the first founding member of KISS to pass away.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” KISS band members Simmons and Stanley said in a joint statement. “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.”

Simmons also posted on X, saying, “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”

Criss later posted a tribute of his own to his former bandmate.

“I’m shocked!!! My friend… I love you,” the former drummer wrote on X.

Others in the music world also paid tribute on social media to “Spaceman.”