Ace Frehley, the founding lead guitarist of Kiss, has died. A representative for Frehley told Rolling Stone that he had sustained injuries following a recent fall at his home. “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,” Frehley’s family shared in a statement to USA Today. “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.” He was 74.
Paul Daniel Frehley grew up in the Bronx. He was a member of several bands before answering Paul Stanley’s ad in 1973 seeking a lead guitarist. Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss hired Frehley as a member of the band following his audition. In addition to providing the band’s iconic early riffs and solos, Frehley designed Kiss’ logo.
Like the rest of the band, Frehley was known not only for his playing, but for his on-stage theatrics and persona. He painted silver stars over his eyes—his persona in the band was “Space Ace” or “the Spaceman.” During solos, his guitar would emit smoke and lights, giving the appearance that it was catching fire. Frehley played on most of Kiss’ most iconic records, including their self-titled debut, Destroyer, and Alive!.
In 1978, all four members of the band released solo albums. Frehley’s was the most successful of the bunch, with his version of “New York Groove” landing on the Billboard singles chart. Frehley grew apart from Kiss’ creative direction and ultimately left the band in 1982. He continued making solo records and albums with his band Frehley’s Comet. His most recent album, Origins Vol. 1, was released this year.
The four founding members of Kiss reunited between 1995 and 2000; Frehley appeared on their 1998 album Psycho Circus. In 2001, he released his autobiography No Regrets: A Rock’n’Roll Memoir. In 2014, he and the rest of band’s original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
