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Alice Cooper has paid tribute to late Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, calling him a “hero”. According to the musician, Frehley was one of the best guitarists ever.
In a statement on Instagram, Cooper wrote, “The worst thing about being in rock ‘n’ roll right now is the fact that some of our brothers have just reached the age where they…leave this world.” He continued: “Some of the guys who started 30, 40, 50 years ago are slowly passing away, including of course Ace Frehley from KISS, one of the pioneers – one of the greatest guitarists ever.”
Frehley was an “absolute guitar hero” for many people. “I did more tours with him than anyone else because he was our opening act for a long time, and so we became good friends,” Cooper remembers. “And you know, he gave it his all every night. He did it every night. And it’s just hard to see someone like him go. We know that the KISS fans, his family and certainly everyone who knew him is grieving now.”
Finally, the rock artist wrote of Frehley: “Ace was an ace.”
Frehley died on October 16th at the age of 74. The Kiss guitarist died “peacefully, surrounded by his family in Morristown, New Jersey,” according to a statement from his family. Accordingly, Frehley had recently fallen; the exact cause of death has not yet been officially announced. Media like “TMZ” report that he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and therefore needed life-sustaining measures.
Death as a result of a fall
“We are deeply shocked and heartbroken,” Frehley’s family wrote in their statement on Instagram. “In his final moments, we were fortunate to surround him with loving, caring and peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We treasure all of his fondest memories, his laughter and celebrate the strength and kindness he gave to others.”
It continues: “The magnitude of his death is epic and unfathomable. As we remember all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will live on forever!”
Reactions from bandmates
Frehley’s former bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also reacted with shock to the news of his death. They told Page Six: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an indispensable and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most defining chapters of the band’s history. He remains a part of the Kiss legacy.”
Simmons: “Ace was the eternal rock soldier”
Simmons added in a post on Platform live on!”
From Kiss co-founder to solo career
Born in New York City in 1951, Paul Daniel Frehley was one of the co-founders of Kiss in 1973, along with singer Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley co-wrote the Kiss classics “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City” and “Love Gun,” among others. After a decade together, he left the band to pursue a solo career. His drug problems and increasing tensions within the band had previously been reported.
In early October, the guitarist canceled his remaining solo dates for 2025 due to “some ongoing health issues,” which have since been confirmed to be a result of the fall.