Recommendations of the Editorial team
Kiss singer Gene Simmons paid tribute to his bandmate, guitarist Ace Frehley, who died on October 16 at the age of 74 in Morristown, New Jersey. Although Simmons and Frehley were known for their complex and often tense relationshipFrehley’s unpredictable nature and distinctive laugh balanced Simmons’ more sober, businesslike demeanor.
ROLLING STONE’s Joseph Hudak put it this way: “If Simmons’ demon was the glowering face of Kiss, then Frehley’s Spaceman was its roaring laughter.”
In his tribute, which Simmons posted on social media, the singer wrote: “Our hearts are broken. Ace is gone. No one can match Ace’s legacy.” He continued: “I know he loved the fans. He told me that many times. What’s even sadder is that Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in December. Ace was an eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
Joint Statement by Simmons and Stanley
Earlier on Thursday, Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley issued a joint statement in which they wrote: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley” and described him as “an indispensable and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most defining chapters of the band and its history.” Frehley’s bandmates added: “He is and will always be a part of the KISS legacy.”
Appreciation by Rush
Rush, who toured as support for Kiss in the 1970s, also paid tribute to Frehley, describing him as “an undeniable personality and an authentic rock star”. Looking back on their time together with the Spaceman, the members of Rush said: “Back in 1974, as the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil and I spent many nights together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of just to make him laugh with his inimitable and infectious laugh.”