**Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, Co-Founder and Lead Guitarist of KISS, Dies at 74**
*Published October 16, 2025, 6:46 p.m. ET*
Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary rock band KISS, has died, RadarOnline.com can confirm. The 74-year-old musician passed away following complications from a fall he suffered last month.
Known as “Space Ace” within the makeup-heavy rock group, Frehley was hospitalized after experiencing a brain bleed when he fell in his studio and hit his head. He had been placed on life support, and his team had recently announced that he was forced to cancel his 2025 tour due to ongoing medical issues.
On Thursday, Frehley’s family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his ventilator. In a statement, they shared:
> “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.
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> We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.
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> 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 joined KISS alongside fellow singers Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in 1972 and remained with the band through their most popular years. He departed in 1982 to pursue a solo career but rejoined the original lineup in 1996 for a reunion tour. Frehley continued to tour with KISS until 2002.
Following his departure from the band, Frehley kept an active solo career and had several shows scheduled for October and November to support his newest album, *10,000 Volts*. This record was his first release of original material since *Spaceman* in 2018.
Frehley’s death comes just over a week after bandmate Gene Simmons was rushed to a Malibu hospital. Simmons reportedly passed out behind the wheel and crashed his car on the Pacific Coast Highway. The 76-year-old’s Lincoln Navigator collided with a parked vehicle, prompting witnesses to call 911. Simmons told first responders he either fainted or passed out before the crash. He was hospitalized for evaluation and later released. Simmons reassured fans in a voicemail to NBC4 that he was “doing fine.”
Frehley and Simmons had been expected to reunite with their KISS bandmates for the group’s first performance since retiring from touring in 2023. The iconic band was scheduled to perform in Las Vegas from November 14 to 16, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The *KISS Army Storms Vegas* event was promoted as featuring an “unmasked” Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Tommy Thayer, along with special guests. The event included exclusive Q&A sessions with band members, a panel with longtime manager Doc McGhee, a special live performance from former KISS member Bruce Kulick, sets from KISS tribute bands, interactive activities, exclusive experiences, and more.
Additional festivities planned were KISS karaoke, KISS trivia, artist meet-and-greets, and a KISS look-alike contest.
It is not yet known how Frehley’s passing will impact these upcoming events. Fans and members of the rock community continue to mourn the loss of an iconic guitarist whose influence on rock music remains profound.
https://radaronline.com/p/ace-frehley-dead-kiss-legend-life-support-brain-bleed/
