On October 16th, 2025, the world of rock lost one of its loudest, brightest, and most influential stars. Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley original lead guitarist of KISS and the man who brought space to rock ’n’ roll passed away at the age of 74 after complications from a fall. His death marks the end of an era, not just for KISS fans, but for anyone who believes that rock should be dangerous, electric, and unapologetically real.

But let’s say what many lifelong fans already knew:

Ace Frehley was the best member of KISS.
 The sound, the soul, and the swagger of the band lived in his riffs. Without Ace, KISS would never have become a phenomenon, the mythology would have been incomplete.

More Than a Guitarist – A Style, A Spirit, A Cult Icon

Born in The Bronx in 1951, Ace didn’t enter music as a polished prodigy, he entered as a street kid hungry for noise. When he joined KISS in 1973, everything changed.

 His “Spaceman” persona captured imagination. His guitar tone raw, melodic, cosmic became the band’s identity. He wasn’t just part of KISS. He was KISS.

His solos weren’t just technical moments; they were emotional explosions. Listen to:

  • “Shock Me” – the first KISS song he sang and a pure rock classic
  • “Cold Gin” – written by Ace, still one of the greatest drinking songs ever
  • “Detroit Rock City” – that solo is the definition of iconic
  • “Strutter,” “Parasite,” “Love Gun,” “Deuce” – Ace’s fingerprints are everywhere

He inspired generations of guitarists, including members of Foo Fighters, Metallica, Anthrax, Pantera, Rage Against The Machine and countless underground bands. His influence is lifelong and loud.

The Only Member Who Didn’t Need KISS to Shine

When all four original KISS members released solo albums in 1978, Ace was the only one who charted a true hitn his version of “New York Groove” burned across radio. His album outsold the rest. His songwriting was honest, gritty, streetwise still powerful today.

Even after leaving KISS (twice), he stayed true to himself. No gimmicks. No corporate polish. Just rock. Albums like Trouble Walkin’, Anomaly, and 10,000 Volts proved Ace never lost his fire.

Flawed. Human. Real. That’s Why Fans Loved Him.

Ace wasn’t perfect. He struggled with the band, with addiction, with fame but he was real. Unlike others in KISS, he never treated fans like a business. He never turned his legacy into a product.

Ace Frehley was pure rock ’n’ roll—loud, loyal, chaotic, honest, fearless.

While the other members may have turned KISS into a corporation, Ace Frehley turned it into a revolution. He made kids pick up guitars. He made rock feel cosmic. He made noise into something spiritual. and the SHINY CRAZY guitars were something else.

For me, he was the first guitarist who made picking up a guitar feel inevitable.

He is gone. But legends don’t die. They orbit forever.

Rest easy, Space Ace. Thanks for taking us higher.