Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley, Co-Founder of KISS, Dies at 74

Strategic Insights -

Rock icon Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley, co-founder of the legendary rock band KISS, has died at the age of 74 after a hospitalization for injuries sustained from a fall. Frehley suffered a serious head injury and brain bleed when he fell inside a recording studio in September. Born in the Bronx to a musical family on April 27, 1951, Frehley taught himself to play the electric guitar at the age of 13 and was inspired by guitarists Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck. He co-founded KISS in 1972 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss and played with the band until 1982, later rejoining for a reunion tour in 1996.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley, co-founder of KISS, died at the age of 74 after a hospitalization for injuries sustained from a fall.
  • Frehley suffered a serious head injury and brain bleed when he fell inside a recording studio in September.
  • He co-founded KISS in 1972 with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss and played with the band until 1982.
  • Frehley rejoined KISS for a reunion tour in 1996 and left the band again in 2002.
  • He formed his own band, Frehley's Comet, and released several solo albums.
  • Frehley was inspired by guitarists Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck, as well as the music of the Rolling Stones, the Who, and Led Zeppelin.
  • He played in several bands before joining KISS and was known for his energetic live performances and hit songs like "Shout It Out Loud" and "Rock and Roll All Nite.

Statistics:

  • Age at death: 74
  • Height of KISS's popularity: 1970s and 1980s
  • Number of albums released by KISS: over 40
  • Number of Grammy Awards won by KISS: 4
  • Number of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions: 1 (in 2014)

Sources:

  • [1] Deadline, "Ace Frehley Dead at 74"
  • [2] Variety, "KISS Co-Founder Ace Frehley Dies at 74"
  • [3] UPI, "KISS co-founder and guitarist Ace Frehley dead at 74"