Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band KISS, who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died. He was 74.
Frehley died peacefully, surrounded by family, in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.
Family members said in a statement they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.
KISS, whose hits included Rock and Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City, was known for its theatrical stage shows, with fireworks, smoking instruments and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members in body armour, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.
Band members adopted alter egos reminiscent of comic book heroes—Frehley was famously dubbed Space Ace and The Spaceman.
In 2016, Ace Frehley took the stage at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, located at The LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas, Nevada. Source: AFP / Ethan Miller
Frehley left the band in 1982, skipping the years when they took off the makeup and had mixed success. He performed both as a solo artist and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.
But he rejoined KISS in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion and restoration of their original style that came after bands including Nirvana, Weezer and the Melvins had expressed their affection for the band and paid them musical tributes.
