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Guitarists

Ace Frehley, Original Lead Guitarist and Founding Member of Kiss, Passes Away at 74

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, has passed away at the age of 74. Frehley died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by his family, following a recent fall. He was a key member of the band's original lineup, which also included Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. Frehley's death marks the first loss among the band's four founding members.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ace Frehley was a founding member and original lead guitarist of the glam rock band Kiss, known for their theatrical stage shows and iconic makeup.
  • Frehley was the band's "Space Ace" and "Spaceman" persona, and was known for his elaborate guitar pyrotechnics, including making his guitars glow, emit smoke, and shoot rockets from the headstock.
  • Frehley left the band in 1982 but rejoined in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion, marking a return to the band's original style.
  • Frehley was an essential part of KISS's legacy, and his passing will be remembered by fans around the world.
  • The band's hits included "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made for Lovin' You," and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
  • Frehley's solo work included the album "Frehley's Comet," and the band's music has been licensed for numerous products and has sold tens of millions of albums.
  • Frehley's passing marks the first loss among the band's four founding members, and he will be deeply missed by his fans and fellow band members.

Statistics:

  • Kiss was formed in 1974 and originally consisted of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley.
  • The band's biggest commercial hit in the U.S. was "Beth," which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.
  • Kiss has sold tens of millions of albums and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • Ace Frehley left the band in 1982 and rejoined in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion.
  • The band has been revived since Frehley's return, and he was named as one of this year's honorees by the Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump's leadership.

Sources:

  • Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in a joint statement: "We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley, he was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history."
  • Kiss' official website
  • The New York Times
  • Billboard Magazine
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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