Died On This Date (October 16, 2025) Ace Frehley / Co-founding Lead Guitarist For KISS
themusicsover Ace Frehley
April 27, 1951 – October 16, 2025
Ace Frehley, the original Spaceman and founding guitarist of KISS, died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74, following complications from a fall in his home studio. Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx on April 27, 1951, he was the spark behind some of the most electrifying moments in rock. From the first time he stepped on stage in silver makeup and platform boots, Frehley embodied the wild imagination of KISS, a band that turned spectacle into an art form and made arenas feel like rocket launches.
Joining KISS in 1973, Frehley brought both swagger and soul to the group’s sound. His gritty tone powered early classics like “Cold Gin” and “Parasite,” while his own “Shock Me” became a live highlight and personal anthem. When he released his self-titled 1978 solo album, one of four simultaneous KISS solo records, his stood out as the most successful. His hit “New York Groove” became a staple on rock radio and became one of the most recognizable anthems in film and television.
After leaving KISS in 1982, Frehley formed Frehley’s Comet and continued a steady run of solo albums that blended arena rock with NYC street-level attitude. Over the decades he never lost his edge, returning to KISS for their 1996 reunion tour and releasing acclaimed solo work well into his seventies, including 10,000 Volts in 2024.
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