Ace Frehley was the flame behind the face paint, the original ‘Spaceman’ of KISS, and now, he is gone. The rock icon, known for igniting stages and breaking musical molds, died on October 16 at the age of 74 in Morristown, New Jersey. His family confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that Frehley passed “peacefully, surrounded by family.”
We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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.
What was Ace Frehley’s cause of death? Reports from TMZ revealed Frehley
Suffered a brain bleed when he took a fall in his studio a couple weeks ago.
He was reportedly hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Per the outlet, his condition had worsened to the point that the family was weighing the agonizing decision to withdraw life support. Just days earlier, fans were left concerned after a now-heartbreaking Instagram post on October 6 cited “ongoing medical issues” and confirmed the cancellation of all remaining 2025 tour dates.
Ace Frehley Refused 2025 KISS Reunion Offer: Here’s Why The Spaceman Chose to Walk Away
Before his sudden passing, Ace Frehley had rejected the 2025 KISS reunion at the ‘Las Vegas KISS Kruise: Landlocked’ event. Despite speculation and growing fan anticipation, Frehley had no interest in returning to the iconic band’s stage. He informed Guitar World:
They asked me and I declined.
His reason? Frehley sharply criticized the venue choice, calling the 5,000-seat Vegas setting a downgrade from the iconic Madison Square Garden, where the band originally promised to bring everyone on stage. But that promise never materialized.
There’s no way I’m gonna be involved with that, you know? Their biggest mistake is that they should have done that at Madison Square Garden, not in Las Vegas in a 5000-seater, or whatever it is.
The tipping point? Frehley recalled that roughly nine months before KISS’s final bow at Madison Square Garden, both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons had assured him, “We’re going to bring everybody out on stage”, a clear nod toward reuniting the founding lineup. But as it turned out, those words didn’t hold water.
Frehley said the promise quickly soured; Stanley and Simmons backed out and chose not to include him or Peter Criss in the final shows. Speaking to the publication, he revealed:
In fact, Paul went on to say, ‘If Ace and Peter got on stage with us, the band could be called Piss.’ So, I kind of got into an argument with him.
Though clearly stung, Frehley didn’t slam the door shut entirely as he said:
I don’t hate Paul or Gene, you know? We’re rock and roll brothers, and Peter, too. So, anything can happen.
The 2025 event, scheduled between Nov. 14 and 16, was reportedly set to include Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Tommy Thayer. With Frehley’s death, fans are now wondering if the event’s emotional tone will shift or if any tribute is planned.
Ace Frehley Dies at 74: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley React to KISS Bandmate’s Passing
With the rock world still reeling, tributes have poured in from those who once called him brother, bandmate, and legend. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley told Page Six:
We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier… He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.
Peter Criss was by Frehley’s side in his final moments, as he shared on his website:
My wife and I were with him to the end as well. I love you my brother. My love and prayers go out to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy and all of Ace’s extended family, bandmates, fans and friends. May the Lord comfort you at this difficult time.
In an emotional post on X, Simmons added:
Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!
The tragedy reportedly began after a fall in his studio weeks earlier, which led to a brain bleed. Though initially described as “minor,” his condition worsened, requiring hospitalization and life support.
On September 25, a message on Frehley’s social media tried to quell fears (via Page Six):
He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.
Sadly, by October 6, he canceled the rest of his 2025 tour due to “ongoing medical issues.” His final project, Origins Vol. 4, remains unfinished.
In a poignant twist, Billboard confirmed that Frehley will receive a posthumous Kennedy Center Honor in December, only the third musician to ever do so. Ace Frehley wasn’t just the Spaceman of KISS; he was a defiant spirit, a sonic pioneer, and a man who always played by his own rules.
Should KISS dedicate the 2025 reunion to him? Or was his decision to walk away the real closing act? What do you think about Frehley’s decision to reject the reunion? Drop your thoughts below!
