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Guitarists

Ace Frehley, Legendary Guitarist of KISS, Dies at 74

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ace Frehley, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of the rock band KISS, passed away on October 16, 2023, at the age of 74. Known for his signature dual-guitar sound and hits like "Parasite" and "New York Groove," Frehley was an inspiration to many, including Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Slash of Guns N' Roses. Born on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, Frehley started playing guitar at the age of 13 and joined KISS in 1973. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as part of the original KISS lineup.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ace Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York.
  • He started playing guitar at the age of 13 and joined KISS in 1973.
  • Frehley was a co-founder of KISS and played guitar on many of the band's biggest hits, including "Parasite," "New York Groove," and "Cold Gin."
  • He became disillusioned with KISS in the late 1970s, citing creative differences and substance abuse issues.
  • Frehley was replaced by Vinnie Vincent in 1982 and went on to form Frehley's Comet and release several solo albums.
  • He reunited with KISS in the 1990s and 2000s, touring and recording with the band.
  • Frehley got sober in 2006 and continued to tour and record music until his passing.
  • He was scheduled to be honored at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors with the original lineup of KISS.

Statistics:

  • KISS sold over 100 million records worldwide during the 1970s.
  • "Alive!", the live album featuring Frehley's guitar work, was released in 1975 and spurred the band to break through to a larger audience.
  • Frehley's solo album, "Ace Frehley," was released in 1978 and included the hit single "New York Groove."
  • KISS had a fan club of over 100,000 members at its peak.
  • The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
  • Frehley's guitar work on hits like "Parasite" and "Cold Gin" is widely regarded as iconic and influential.

Sources:

  • The New York Times - "Ace Frehley, Guitarist of KISS, Dies at 74"
  • Rolling Stone - "Ace Frehley, KISS Guitarist and Songwriter, Dead at 74"
  • The Washington Post - "Ace Frehley, KISS guitarist and songwriter, dead at 74"
  • Pitchfork - "Ace Frehley: No Regrets"

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