The original KISS members have paid tribute to fellow co-founder and guitarist Ace Frehley after news of his death at 74.
KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss have all paid tribute to original guitarist Ace Frehley following the news of his passing at 74 in New Jersey on Thursday.
Frehley’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed, however he cancelled a performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in late September after suffering a “minor fall in his studio” that required a visit to hospital. A statement at the time read, “He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.” Less than two weeks later, he announced the cancellation of all remaining 2025 tour dates due to “ongoing medical issues.”
TMZ reported (unconfirmed) that the former KISS guitarist was on life support with a brain bleed, shortly before news of his death was confirmed by his family in a statement.
Simmons and Stanley have now shared their own joint statement with The Hollywood Reporter, paying tribute to their former bandmate and his legacy. The statement reads that the two 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. My thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Simmons went on to share another tribute via X (formerly Twitter), 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!”
In a seperate statement, Peter Criss (KISS’ very own Catman) shared his own tribute to the rock legend. “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. He died peacefully with his family around him. My wife and I were with him to the end as well,” it reads.
“I love you, my brother. My love and prayers go out to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy and all of Ace’s extended family, bandmates, fans and friends. May the Lord comfort you at this difficult time. As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo career, Ace influenced and touch the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army. At this time I ask all of you to please be respectful to Ace’s family and allow them to grieve privately. To the KISS Army and Ace’s Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all… Broken… God Bless.”
Frehley’s own family broke the news hours ago, saying they were “completely devastated and heartbroken” by the loss, but were “fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth.”
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