Ace Frehley, founding lead guitarist of the iconic rock band Kiss, has died. He was 78. News of his passing emerged on October 17,2024,following a reported battle with complications from full-body cancer.
Frehley’s death marks the end of an era for Kiss and the broader rock community, leaving a void for fans who cherished his innovative guitar work and stage persona.As a key architect of Kiss’s signature sound and image, his contributions were instrumental in the band’s rise to global superstardom. The future of Kiss, already navigating performances without original members, is now further complicated by the loss of another foundational figure.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Frehley received an electric guitar as a Christmas gift at age 13, sparking a lifelong passion for music he pursued through self-teaching. While attending high school, he earned the nickname “Ace,” reportedly due to his popularity with female students.
After graduating, Frehley held various jobs, including working as a taxi driver, before responding to a newspaper advertisement in late 1972. The ad led him to an audition with a band then comprised of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss - a group that would soon become known worldwide as Kiss.
