What Happened to Ace Frehley? The Tragic Final Weeks That Led to KISS Icon’s Death at 74

Published 10/16/2025, 8:49 PM EDT

Ace Frehley did not simply play the guitar; he made it levitate. As KISS' celestial "Spaceman," he turned rock concerts into intergalactic carnivals of chaos, charming fans with his electrified solos and cosmic swagger. With silver boots and an even shinier sense of humor, Frehley embodied the beautiful absurdity of rock itself. His passing at 74 left the world slightly dimmer, as if someone unplugged the universe’s last amplifier, and yet, the story grows even sadder.

More details about his death have now emerged, revealing a heartbreaking end to a life that burned gloriously loud.

What led to the sudden death of rock legend Ace Frehley

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Ace Frehley’s representative, Lori Lousararian, confirmed to Rolling Stone that the KISS guitarist’s death resulted from a recent fall at his home, though no specific cause was provided. The 74-year-old musician had reportedly suffered a brain bleed and remained on life support for several weeks. Frehley’s accident occurred in late September inside his recording studio, forcing him to cancel his Southern California concert and, soon after, the rest of his 2025 tour due to health complications.

Frehley’s family later released a statement expressing devastation at his loss while celebrating his humor, generosity, and remarkable achievements. They described being present during his final moments, offering prayers and gratitude as he passed peacefully. The statement called his death “beyond comprehension,” a sentiment echoing the widespread mourning across the music world as fans remembered the iconic guitarist whose riffs helped define KISS' sound. With the details revealed as per Rolling Stone, his death is uniting the world in grief..

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A look back at Ace Frehley's legacy

Ace Frehley’s legend is written in lightning and Gibson Les Pauls, as the co-founding ‘Spaceman’ of KISS. His raw yet melodic guitar work, combined with his cosmic persona, helped craft the band’s unforgettable sound. From penning anthems such as ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Shock Me’ to igniting the stage with smoking guitars and contributing to KISS’s iconic lightning bolt logo, Frehley transformed performances into spectacles. His influence radiated across rock, inspiring generations to pick up their own instruments with equal bravado.

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Outside of KISS, Frehley carved a solo path that reinforced his status as a rock icon. His 1978 solo album, featuring ‘New York Groove,’ and later Frehley’s Comet releases showcased his creativity and virtuosity. Countless guitarists, from Dimebag Darrell to Mike McCready, cite him as a guiding force. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, Frehley’s enduring imprint is both musical and visual, proving that legends do not fade quietly.

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How did Ace Frehley's music inspire you? Let us know in the comments!

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Iffat Siddiqui

582 articles

Iffat is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. A word wizard, she had the sorting hat smoke at the seams owing to her excellence in everything Hollywood and cinema until it finally declared that she belonged to the Royals, specifically Meghan Markle. Boasting over 300 articles (and counting), each one tastefully infused with the right mix of facts, wit, opinion, and essentially everything to make a perfect pop culture piece, she is the epitome of a trustworthy entertainment journalist.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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