Kiss founding guitarist Ace Frehley died October 16, 2025, from blunt force injuries to his head following an accidental fall at his home. He was 74. The Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner released the official ruling on November 10, 2025.[1][2][3][4][5]
Frehley’s family placed him on life support after the fall in late September, then decided to remove his ventilator after unsuccessful treatment attempts. His death was ruled accidental by medical authorities.[6][7]
Medical Cause and Official Findings
The Morris County Medical Examiner’s report documented the following injuries:[8][9][10]
- Fracture to the back of skull.
- Brain contusions and internal bleeding.
- Subdural hematoma (bleeding between brain and skull membrane).
- Previous stroke history documented.
Doctors attempted a hemicraniectomy procedure to relieve brain pressure but the operation proved unsuccessful.[11][12]
Early Life and Musical Origins
Paul Daniel Frehley was born April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York. At age 13, he purchased his first guitar from a pawn shop for twelve dollars, an acoustic instrument. He later transitioned to electric guitar, teaching himself rock techniques through intensive self-study.[13][14][15][16]
His musical influences included Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Buddy Guy, and The Who.[17][18]
Kiss Formation and Spaceman Persona
In 1972, Frehley answered an advertisement by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley seeking a lead guitarist. He co-founded Kiss in late 1972, with the band beginning performances in 1973. The band released its debut album in February 1974.[19][20][21][22]
Frehley created the “Spaceman” persona featuring silver star makeup, black eyeliner, metallic jumpsuit, and armor-like shoulder pieces. His stage presence and technical guitar work defined Kiss’s early sound and visual identity.[23][24]
Career Timeline and Notable Achievements
Frehley co-wrote classic Kiss songs including Cold Gin (1974), Shock Me (1974), Parasite (1975), Rocket Ride (1975), Talk to Me (1975), and Getaway (1976).[25][26]
He left Kiss in 1982 due to substance abuse and creative conflicts with bandmates. He reunited with the band for the 1996 reunion tour and 1998 album Psycho Circus, then departed again in 2002.[27][28][29]
All four original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2014. Their final performance as a complete group occurred December 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden, concluding Kiss’s End of Road farewell tour.[30][31][32][33]
Solo Career and Recent Work
Frehley’s solo debut (1978) featured the platinum-selling hit “New York Groove,” reaching the Top 20 on Billboard charts. His 2024 album Space Invader made history—he became the only Kiss member to reach the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart as a solo artist.[34][35][36]
His final concert was September 5, 2025, at the Uptown Theater in Providence, Rhode Island. He canceled remaining 2025 tour dates on October 6 due to ongoing medical issues following the September fall.[37][38][39][40]
Funeral and Legacy
Frehley was buried October 22 at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, near his parents’ graves. His private memorial service was held October 21 at Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss attended.[41][42][43][44][45]
Gene Simmons stated: “Ace was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative chapters of Kiss’s history.” SiriusXM host Eddie Trunk announced Frehley’s family granted permission for a future tribute show.[46][47][48][49]
Frehley was the first of the four original Kiss members to pass away.[50]
