Rock stars from throughout the past 50 years have joined to pay tribute to influential KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who died yesterday (Oct. 16) at the age of 74. The musician suffered a brain injury after falling in his recording studio last month and had been breathing with the aid of a ventilator in recent days.
“Our hearts are broken,” wrote KISS bandmate Gene Simmons. “Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors event in December. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
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“With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away,” said KISS drummer Peter Criss. “He died peacefully with his family around him. My wife and I were with him to the end as well. I love you my brother. My love and prayers go out to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy and all of Ace’s extended family, bandmates, fans and friends. May the Lord comfort you at this difficult time. As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo career, Ace influenced and touch the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army. At this time I ask all of you to please be respectful to Ace’s family and allow them to grieve privately. To the KISS Army and Ace’s Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all… Broken.”
“All my friends have spent untold hours talking about KISS and buying KISS stuff,” said Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. “Ace was a hero of mine and also I would consider a friend. I studied his solos endlessly over the years. Just listen to ‘Alive’ — I used his solo from ‘She’ as a template. Ace jammed on ‘Black Diamond’ with Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden — a dream come true for me. I would not have picked up a guitar without Ace and KISS’s influence.”
“Absolutely stunned and saddened by the news Ace Frehley has tragically passed away,” said Rush’s Geddy Lee. “Back in 1974, as the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil [Peart] and myself spent many a night hanging out together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of, just to make him break out his inimitable and infectious laugh. He was an undeniable character and an authentic rock star. RIP Ace. Thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock’n’roll world.
“My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has passed away,” wrote Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. “The legendary Space Ace Frehley inspired generations to love rock’n’roll and love rock’n’roll guitar playing. His timeless riffs and solos, the billowing smoke coming from his Les Paul, the rockets shooting from his headstock, his cool spacey onstage wobble and his unforgettable crazy laugh will be missed but will never be forgotten. Thank you, Ace for a lifetime of great music and memories.”
“Ace was the first person I met when we were forming Chic,” wrote the group’s leader, Nile Rodgers. “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 historic.”
Added guitarist Steve Vai, “Ace Frehley was the embodiment of rock’n’roll attitude — unapologetic, loud and irresistibly catchy. His riffs had swagger, his tone had bite and his presence lit up stages like a supernova. The Spaceman has left the stage, but his orbit will shine forever.”
To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
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