Ever notice how Mercury retrograde—supposedly a time for technological meltdowns and communication breakdowns—rarely gets blamed when a legend leaves the stage? Maybe the stars were conspiring more than we realized, because on a day when even Capricorn can’t keep it together, the universe just demanded its encore. The world lost a genuine spaceman—no, not Elon Musk’s latest rival, but the original “Spaceman” who blasted off, soloing into the stratosphere from Kiss’ earliest days. Thursday, Ace Frehley, the riff-blazing, Les Paul–wielding asteroid in human form, left us at age 74, prompting the cosmos to hit pause and wonder if there’s an afterlife for guitar licks .
If you felt a strange cosmic wobble—just a little off-kilter—now you know why . Ace’s family called his passing “of epic proportions” and, really, if there’s not at least one thundercloud shaped like a Gibson pickup hovering over Jersey this week, I’ll eat my horoscope . Seriously, what planet rules legendary air-guitar vibes? Is there an asteroid belt reserved for the hair, the hooks, and the heartbreak that come with losing someone who made so many of us believe in space travel…at least the glam kind?
Can a birth chart truly capture the magnitude of someone who inspired us to shoot for the stars while looking that good in silver pants? Rhetorical question—it can’t . And if today’s astrology says “embrace change,” the universe just turned it up to eleven .
If you’re ready for the rest of the story—falling stars, soaring solos, and the kind of legacy that could only be written by a Spaceman whose guitar never quite came back down to Earth—then fasten your seat belts and read on. LEARN MORE
Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and one of the most iconic guitarists in rock and roll, died Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey, his family announced. He was 74.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” the family said. “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!”
Frehley suffered a fall at the end of September and had a second fall more recently that caused his death. After the first incident, his team posted an announcement on his Facebook page saying he “had a minor fall” but that he was “fine,” adding that he’d have to cancel a performance at the Antelope Valley Fair. On Oct. 6, a second announcement noted that he had to cancel the remainder of his 2025 shows because of “ongoing medical issues.”
Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, and grew up in the Bronx, learning the guitar as a teenager. He joined Kiss in 1972, alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss, taking on his famed “Spaceman” persona to match the band’s colorful makeup.
Known for his virtuosic playing and long association with his unique three-pickup Gibson Les Paul, Frehley — who was influenced by classic bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones — had a huge impact on hard rock and heavy metal.
Frehley appeared on Kiss’ first nine albums, and after leaving the group in 1982, he returned for the band’s 1998 reunion album, Psycho Circus, only to leave again in 2002. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss in 2014. His signature guitar sound can be found across the band’s discography, with some of his best work on Alive!, the band’s 1975 breakthrough live album.
Frehley also released nine solo studio albums, with the eponymous first one going platinum in 1978. His most-recent album, 10,000 Volts, came out in February 2024.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; daughter Monique; brother Charles; sister Nancy; nieces Suncere and Julie; nephews Sky and Andrew; sister-in-law Michelanne; and brother-in-law Ron.
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