Well-known guitarist Ace Frehley, one of the most iconic musicians of American hard rock and longtime lead guitarist for Kiss, passed away this evening in Morristown, USA, at the age of 74. Frehley had been hospitalized in intensive care for days after he suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of a fall in his recording studio (he had canceled some of his tour dates for the same reason). His family members confirmed the news.
Paul Daniel Frehley, nicknamed “Ace,” was born April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, and was best known for being the founding member and original lead guitarist of Kiss. Frehley showed a strong interest in music from an early age: he learned to play guitar as a self-taught musician, influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the American blues. In 1973 Frehley joined Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss to form Kiss: in the group he assumed the stage persona of the “Spaceman” or “Space Ace,” characterized by distinctive facial makeup and theatrical performances. As a guitarist he contributed both solos and rhythm parts, and occasionally sang (e.g., on Shock me , which remains the most famous of the Kiss songs sung by him), although for many years he preferred not to vocally tackle any songs.
In 1978 his solo album entitled Ace Frehley was released, released at the same time as those of the other Kiss members, in the year each released their own solo album. This work was commercially successful, mainly due to the single New York Groove, his most famous solo song, and solidified Frehley’s reputation as a soloist as well as a member of the band.
After leaving Kiss in 1982, Frehley founded his band Frehley’s Comet achieving moderate success with the song Into the night and later embarked on more pronounced solo activities. Over the years he continued to release albums, alternating between more visible and more defiladed moments. In 1996 he returned to Kiss for a reunion tour and remained with them until 2002, when what was billed as the band’s final tour ended. In 2014, Ace and the rest of KISS were inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
With his guitar playing and style, characterized by melodic solos, use of special effects, and theatrical atmosphere, Frehley influenced several generations of guitarists. Critically, he has been appreciated for his ability to combine technique and atmosphere without lapsing into excess. In recent years, he has released new studio work and continued to perform, albeit at a less fast pace. His career has also been marked by personal problems, mainly related to alcohol and substance abuse, which had limited him in the past, but which he said he later faced with greater awareness.
“We are completely devastated and saddened,” reads a note issued by the family. “In his final moments, we were blessed to be able to surround him with loving, caring and peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We jealously cherish his fondest memories, his laughter and celebrate his strength and the kindness he gave to others.”
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| Farewell to Ace Frehley, longtime Kiss guitarist |
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