Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist of Kiss, has died at the age of 74

Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist of Kiss, has died at the age of 74


The musician had been hospitalized after suffering a fall in his studio and was breathing on life support

Ace Frehleyco-founder and former guitarist of Kissdied from injuries sustained in a fall in his office last month, according to a statement from his family. He was 74 years old.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his final moments, we were blessed to be able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this Earth. We cherish all of his fondest memories, his laughter, and celebrate the strength and kindness he gave to others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and incomprehensible. Reflecting on all of his incredible accomplishments in life, Ace’s memory will remain alive forever!”, the family said in a note reproduced by the magazine Variety.

The North American Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, born in 1951, joined Kiss in 1973, and remained in the band until 1982. He joined the group after being selected by Paul Stanley (vocals and guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass) and Peter Criss (drums) after an audition in which he appeared poorly dressed, but surprised by his performance.

Better known as “Spaceman” from the popular 1970s rock band who wore face paint, his playing style inspired many guitarists. Their love of pioneers like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page meant Kiss kept one foot firmly planted in their hard rock roots, even as the band became a merchandising machine and branched out into pop.

Frehley achieved commercial success and fame with his self-titled debut solo album in 1978, when the four members of Kiss simultaneously released four solo albums. Frehley’s feat has always been considered the most cohesive among fans.

Owner of memorable solos in Kiss’ work, his riffs on songs like Detroit Rock City AND Shake me. He also composed important songs such as Cold gin AND Parasite.

After leaving the group, he began a solo career, but ended up returning in 1996 for a reunion tour. However, the same creative problems as before resurfaced, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, leading him to leave the band permanently in 2002.

“Despite the many ups and downs I’ve had with Kiss over the years, I couldn’t help but remember all the fun we shared in our formative years,” Frehley wrote in his 2011 autobiography, I Don’t Regret – Memoirs of Rock ‘n’ Rollpublished in Brazil by the publisher Belas Letras.

When the group’s original lineup was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, several disagreements prevented them from performing together, and neither Frehley nor Peter Criss joined the group on stage for Kiss’ recent retirement tour. End of the road.

Ace have remained active in recent years, having released the album this year Origins vol. 3 and last year10,000 Volts. He was last in Brazil in 2017, when he performed at the Tom Brasil concert hall in southern Sao Paulo.

Source: Terra

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