Maine – Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist who co-founded the rock powerhouse KISS, has died at the age of 74. According to a report from the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner, Frehley’s death on Thursday, October 16, was the result of blunt force trauma to the head caused by a fall. His injuries included a skull fracture, a subdural hematoma, and a stroke — complications that ultimately led his family to make the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support.
The accident reportedly occurred in Frehley’s studio, where he suffered a severe brain bleed following the fall. Despite undergoing surgery to relieve the pressure, the musician never recovered. Officials have ruled his death an accident.
A Rock Icon Who Defined an Era
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx, New York, Ace was more than just the “Spaceman” persona he embodied on stage — he was a creative force who helped shape the sound and spectacle of one of rock’s most influential bands. With KISS, he inspired generations through explosive performances and pioneering guitar work from 1973 to 1982, contributing to hits like Detroit Rock City and Shock Me.
After parting ways with KISS amid creative and personal struggles, Frehley embarked on a successful solo career marked by fan devotion and his signature blend of humor and humility.
Music journalist Carla DeLuca noted, “Ace Frehley was a guitar hero’s guitar hero — raw, inventive, and utterly himself. His tone and stage presence changed rock forever.”
Fans and Peers Pay Tribute
Across social media, tributes poured in from musicians and fans worldwide. “He made us believe in rock and roll magic,” one fan wrote. KISS co-founder Paul Stanley called him “a brother in music and one of the greatest to ever pick up a guitar.”
Just months before his death, Frehley joked in an interview with The Aquarian that a psychic had predicted he’d “live to be a hundred.” For millions of fans, his music — and his spirit — just might.
