Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist of the popular rock band KISS, died at 74.
- Elizabeth Sanate
- Oct 20, 2025
- 3 min read
This must be the saddest news for rock fans everywhere around the world. One of our legends, Ace Frehley, the man who played lead guitar for the KISS band, has passed away at the age of 74. People all over the world are sharing memories, songs he had played, and his pictures on social media platforms to pay tribute to him. This news is one of those things that no one wanted to hear and also what no one expected to happen, even though he has been quiet for a while now.
His family said he died peacefully at home, and they didn’t share many details about what exactly happened. And that’s okay, as everyone needs their privacy. What fans from different parts of the world want to remember is the fun, the energy, and the sparkle he brought when he was on stage performing their favorite songs.
How Ace Frehley became part of KISS
Before KISS was even famous, they made a small ad in a newspaper that said a band needed a guitarist. When Ace Frehley saw the newspaper ad, he showed up confidently wearing two different shoes and carrying his guitar, which showed how unique he was. After he played a few notes for small demonstrations, the others knew right away that this guy was special and that they needed him to be a part of the band.
That’s exactly how KISS started, four guys with face paint and huge dreams. They wanted to do something big and something wild, so Ace became “The Spaceman” of the band. He used to wear shiny silver, played loud, and made his guitar shoot smoke. Kids admired him and loved seeing him, and they always thought he was the coolest person alive.
When he played songs like Shock Me or Rocket Ride, the whole audience wasn't just watching him, but they felt connected and caught up in the energy of the performance along with him. He wasn’t just playing music, but he was creating unforgettable moments that would be remembered and talked about for a long time, and that's exactly what fans wanted.
Later on, Ace Frehley went solo and released New York Groove and that song still gets people dancing today. It’s fun, it’s catchy, and it feels like him, which is simple, real, and cool.
Tribute to Ace Frehley
When the news broke, people, including his own bandmates, rushed online to post memories, his songs, and tweet about how much he'll be missed and how much he was loved. Some shared pictures from concerts, others shared stories. One person wrote, “Ace Frehley made me pick up a guitar.” Another said, “He wasn’t perfect, but that’s why we loved him.”
Even other rock stars joined in, saying how much Ace inspired them. You could tell this wasn’t just about music, but it was about the feeling he gave people. He made fans laugh, dream, and believe in something loud and fun.
Ace Frehley’s music will never die
Ace Frehley is gone now, but his sound is still here and will always be with the fans. Every time someone turns up Cold Gin or Shock Me, people would still feel it like he's right there again, smiling behind the silver paint.
There are rumours that KISS might do something big to honor him, maybe a show or tribute night, and that's something he really deserves. Fans are already doing their own little things, playing his songs and sharing clips throughout social media.
Ace Frehley once said he just wanted people to have fun when he played. And he did that for more than fifty years, and even in the future, although he won't be present physically here, his music, which he had played while he was alive with us, will always live within us and will keep making us happy.
He made rock feel alive. And that wild, space-guitar magic will never fade away again, even though he's not here with us anymore.
Follow The ScreenLight for your daily dose of entertainment magic.
