The rock world is mourning the death of Kiss co-founder and legendary lead guitarist Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died after sustaining injuries in a fall last month, his family confirmed Thursday, sparking an outpouring of grief across the music community.
In a statement, Frehley’s bandmates, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons said: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of Kiss’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready penned a remembrance shared via Pearl Jam’s official social media accounts. In his post, McCready credits Frehley and Kiss for influencing him to pick up a guitar.
Ace Frehley, Eddie, Me in awe…
📸: Danny Clinch
I heard about Ace Frehley‘s passing from Rick Friel who I played with in a band called Shadow. Rick was also the first guy on the bus in 1977 with a KISS lunchbox to tell me about Ace…just changed my life. I got a guitar in 1978… pic.twitter.com/0oULzn0A5H
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) October 16, 2025
Tool frontman, Maynard James Keenan, paid his respects on Instagram with an edited childhood photo of himself wearing Frehley’s iconic makeup. “Godspeed, Ace,” Keenan captioned the post.
Frehley was set to be honored by The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, with the ceremony slated to air on CBS on Dec. 23. The Kennedy Center tweeted on Thursday: “We will be paying tribute to this “rock soldier”, his work, and his legacy at our ceremony in December.”
The Kennedy Center is saddened to hear of the passing of one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees, Ace Frehley of the band KISS.
We send our deepest condolences to his friends, his family, and millions of fans worldwide.
We will be paying tribute to this “rock soldier”, his… pic.twitter.com/7wkAHIufDE
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) October 16, 2025
Simmons also addressed the Frehley posthumously receiving the Kennedy Center’s Honor on his personal X account writing, “Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
See more tributes below.
Ace RIP was the 1st person I met when we were forming CHIC!@KISS were playing at a spot called Le Jardin. Without his makeup nobody recognized him as he sat at my table. Only a few minutes before the crowd were losing their shit over him. I learned a lot that night. Truly… pic.twitter.com/ibNCrbt9vP
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 16, 2025
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Ace Frehley. Thank you for the decades of music inspiring generations with your electrifying guitar work and unforgettable stage presence. Your sound helped define rock ’n’ roll. Our thoughts are with Ace’s family,… pic.twitter.com/tRQTGNVCUl
— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) October 16, 2025
It has now been officially confirmed and released by the family that my friend of 40 years @ace_frehley has passed away. This is beyond words for me on many levels. My condolences to Jeanette, Monique and all the fellow fans. I will air a special tribute to Ace tonight on… pic.twitter.com/TSIus5y0zd
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) October 16, 2025
