Ace Frehley’s fellow founding Kiss bandmates, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, have broken their silence following the guitarist’s death at age 74.
Simmons, 76, and Stanley, 73, paid tribute to their late bandmate, who died on Thursday, October 16, in a joint statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter later that day.
“I am 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,” Simmons and Stanley wrote in a joint statement. “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 also took to social media to mourn the late musician, writing via X, “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!”
Inside Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley’s ‘Last Moments’ Prior to His Death at 74
Bruce Kulick, who played with Kiss from 1984 to 1996, also honored Frehley via an Instagram post.
“The news of Ace’s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply effected [sic] me as well. He was one of a kind a truly an iconic guitar player,” Kulick wrote on Thursday. “His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten. Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world. RIP.”
Earlier on Thursday, Us Weekly confirmed Frehley’s death following a recent fall at his home.
“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,” Frehley’s family said in a statement to Us. “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!”
Frehley’s manager, John Ostrosky, told Us on Thursday, “Since 1976, Space Ace has been my Superman. His kindness, caring, and inclination to mentor was at the forefront until the very end. His influence will live with me forever.”
Ace Frehley Dead at 74: Kiss Lead Guitarist Suffered ‘Medical Issues’
According to his family, Frehley passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey.
The news of Frehley’s death comes 10 days after the musician announced he was canceling the remainder of his 2025 solo tour dates, citing medical issues.
Frehley cofounded Kiss in 1973 alongside Stanley, Simmons and Peter Criss, and was featured on a number of the band’s classic albums, including Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over and Love Gun.
The guitarist exited the group in 1982 amid creative differences and went on to pursue a solo career after creating his own band, Frehley’s Comet. He later signed on for a Kiss reunion tour in 1996.
In his personal life, Frehley married Jeanette Trerotola in 1976, and the two shared daughter Monique, 45. They were still legally married as of 2018, though Frehley had been engaged to Rachael Gordon since 2010.
He and Gordon split in 2019 after 11 years together. Around that same time, Freehley met Lara Cove at a Kiss convention in New Jersey. The two later became engaged but called it quits in 2024.
