Original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley dies at 74

LOS ANGELES – Ace Frehley, the original guitarist for legendary rock band Kiss, died Thursday, apparently from injuries suffered in a recent fall. He was 74.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” his family said in a statement to Deadline. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”

FILE – In this Oct. 4, 2009 file photo, former KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley plays the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)

Frehley, who died in Morristown, New Jersey, was hospitalized after suffering a fall in late September. The mishap prompted him to cancel a scheduled performance at the Antelope Valley Fair the next day. He later canceled all of his remaining tour dates this year.

TMZ reported that Frehley suffered a brain bleed from the fall and has been on a ventilator.

Frehley, his face made up in his Spaceman character, joined with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss in 1973 to form Kiss, an over-the-top hard rock band that became famous for the band members’ makeup and on-stage antics that included blood-spitting and Simmons’ fire-breathing.

Frehley remained with the band until 1982, embarking on a successful solo career. He re-joined the band for a reunion tour in 1996, but left again six years later.

Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. (CNS)

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