Ace Frehley, the co-founder and guitarist of the iconic rock band Kiss, passed away on October 16 at the age of 74. The Morris County Medical Examiner in New Jersey confirmed that the cause of death was blunt trauma injuries to the head resulting from a fall, ruling the incident as an accident.
Frehley’s family expressed their devastation and heartbreak in a statement released on the day of his passing. They shared that they were able to surround him with love, care, and peaceful words in his final moments. The family also celebrated his life, cherishing his laughter, kindness, and the positive impact he had on others. They emphasized that his memory will continue to live on through his life’s achievements.
Known as “Spaceman,” Frehley was a father to his daughter Monique from his marriage to ex-wife Jeanette Trerotola. His fellow Kiss members, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, also mourned his loss, describing him as an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier who played a significant role in the band’s formative years.
Frehley co-founded Kiss in 1973 alongside Simmons, Stanley, and Peter Criss. He left the band in 1982, formed his own group, Frehley’s Comet, and pursued a solo career. He later rejoined Kiss for a reunion tour in 1996 and stayed with the band until 2002.
In August, Frehley and his former Kiss bandmates were announced as 2025 Kennedy Center honorees, an achievement he described as a dream come true. However, his health took a turn for the worse following a fall in his studio in September, which resulted in a brain bleed and his placement on life support.
Frehley’s health issues led to the cancellation of his remaining tour dates. A memorial was held in his native Bronx last month, attended by Simmons, Stanley, Criss, and radio personality Eddie Trunk, who shared a heartfelt tribute to the late star.
Trunk expressed his honor at being part of the memorial and shared that Frehley’s family had given him permission to organize a tribute show or fan celebration in the future. He emphasized the importance of such an event for Frehley’s legacy, his fans, and the countless guitar players he influenced.