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How Rock stars reacted to Ace Frehley’s death
The original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley died last October 16 at the age of 74. The news was shared by his family after news sources reported he had suffered a fall in his studio about a week earlier and suffered a brain bleed.
He was on life support and placed on a ventilator after the accident, but he didn’t get any better. Since the announcement of his death, many famous rock stars have paid tribute to him.
How Rock stars reacted to Ace Frehley's death
Kiss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSYb-LLj59g
"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," Kiss said.
Peter Criss
"With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. 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 touched 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...," Peter Criss said:
Gene Simmons
"Our hearts are broken. 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 Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!" Gene Simmons said.
Paul Stanley
"I remember 1974 being in my room at the Hyatt on Sunset in LA and I heard someone playing deep and fiery guitar in the room next door. I thought “Boy, I wish THAT guy was in the band!” I looked over the balcony… He was. It was Ace. This is my favorite photo of us…," Paul Stanley said.
Bruce Kulick
"The news of Ace’s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply affected me as well. He was one of a kind and truly an iconic guitar player. His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten. Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world. RIP," he said.
Tommy Thayer
"A legend who will never be forgotten. He inspired generations of guitarists, myself included, to chase greatness. It’s been an honor to walk in his footsteps. His legacy will live forever. Rest in peace, Ace," he said.
Joe Perry (Aerosmith)
"Sad to hear about the passing of Ace Frehley. We shared a lot of stages over the years. He was one of a kind — a true rock & roll original with a sound and style all his own. Rest easy, Space Ace. You’ll be missed but never forgotten," he said.
Alice Cooper
“The worst part of being in rock ‘n’ roll at this point is the fact that some of our fraternity have just reached that age where they’ve… they leave the planet. Some of the guys that started 30, 40, 50 years ago are starting to go, and of course Ace Frehley from KISS, one of the pioneers - one of the great guitar players out there…Ace was an absolute Guitar hero to so many people. I did more tours with him than anybody else, as far as opening for us, for quite a long time so… we became quite good friends. And you know he always brought it every night… He did it every night. And… it’s just hard to see somebody like that go. We know that right now that the KISS fans are certainly in mourning and certainly his family and certainly everybody that knew him. Ace was an ACE,” he said.
Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)
"Sad news about Ace, he was long gone when we got to know the Kiss guys but he left his mark on their music… his first solo album made waves too, Fractured Mirror is a great instrumental & his New York Groove hit the spot more so than any other version of that song. RIP Spaceman," he said.
Slash (Guns N' Roses)
"Hard to believe & process this devastating news today. Ace I will miss you. & millions more will too. RIP my friend. One of the true great rock n roll guitarists, the Spaceman has left the planet," he said.
Sebastian Bach (Ex-Skid Row)
"I must have been about 10 years old. Riding my bike to school I hit some train tracks in the middle of the intersection on the road. The wheels on my bike went into the train tracks. I tried to turn the handlebars but they were stuck in the tracks and sent me flying off the bike into the middle of the street. Somehow I fckd up my leg to the point where I couldn’t walk, I was literally crawling home because I couldn’t stand up. When I got home I was crying in pain. My mom was distressed and brought me into the living room… where Dads stereo was."
"My biggest joy in life at that time was when mom & dad would let me play KISS … on THEIR stereo in the living room with a Marantz amp & big speakers & everything. Mom said, “Sebastian what can I do to make you feel better?” I immediately replied, “Mom please go into my room and get KISS: The Originals album set. Please put on “Rock Bottom” from Dressed to Kill. The guitar intro by Ace Frehley. That will make me feel better.“
"I’ll never forget lying there on the living room couch, with tears running down my face, with my Mom playing the beautiful acoustic guitar by the Ace on repeat. Nothing soothed my soul like the sound of the Ace playing his guitar. I have too many stories and recollections of the Ace to type out on instagram. I am too sad right now to process this situation.
Tonight’s show @mohegansun Arena will be dedicated to the (wild) life & (crazy) times of my original hero & friend @acefrehleyofficial . This could be the 1st Sold Out Headline Show we’ve ever done in the USA.
This one is for the ACE."
"My thoughts are with Monique right now. I hope she is holding up ok. Losing a hero is painful. But losing your dad is excruciating all the best to Monique & Ace’s family. Thank you to the ACE for soothing my soul with your guitar. And thanks for being a friend. I miss you and I love you ACE ⚡️FOREVER ⚡️," he said.
Neal Schon (Journey)
"God Speed Ace My sincere condolences to all. RIP ✝️♾️✝️ Journey opened up for KISS back in early 70s with Ace and band when they were up and coming. We played theaters with them," he said.
Lita Ford
Ace Frehley 1951-2025. Great Rockstars never die! Rest in Peace, Spaceman We will miss you," she said.
Eddie Trunk
"Sadly I can now confirm my friend of 40 years @acefrehleyofficial has passed away. I am devastated beyond words. Unfortunately I did know this was coming and pre recorded a memorial to him. That will air tonight at 11P ET/ 8P PT on @trunknationsxm @siriusxm 103 or the app. I will return to the radio live tomorrow at a special start time of 2P ET / 11A PT for a 3 hour live show to remember Ace and take your calls. Also on 103’or the app. I will do my best to celebrate Ace tomorrow when back live. For now I am doing my best to process this. My condolences to Jeanette , Monique and all his family and many fans. To say Ace was one of a kind would be an understatement. He was always there for me, was the first artist I ever signed, and we remained close ever since that day we met in 1986. I am crushed. RIP brother. Never to be forgotten," he said.
Gary Cherone (Extreme)
If you were lucky enough to grow up in the 70’s, it’s hard to describe the larger than life impact KISS had on the culture. In an age that pre-dates “I want my MTV” and decades before anyone could even imagine the instant à la carte of the Internet, There was that teenage kid in his bedroom, every inch of the wall covered in posters, Rock mags littered all around, oblivious to his parent telling him to turn that shit down! Speakers distorting, head banging, sitting cross, legged on the floor only having to get up every 15 minutes to flip the vinyl over and rock n roll over again! Gazing into the gatefold of KISS Alive I & II not fully comprehending what he is seeing! The Demon! The Starchild! The Cat Man! and The Space Man! This was more than music. It was an over the top spectacle for the senses. The production, lights, sound, hydraulic stages, costumes, make up, “My Seven Inch Leather Heels!” the blood and fire! The smoking guitar, And that Iconic logo designed by non other than ACE himself!
But none of it would matter if not for the catalogue of songs, too many to mention, the Anthems we loved to Shout Out Loud! Yes, We wanted the Best And We got the Best! Today is a sad day. We are losing too many, too soon. We lost 1/4 of the sum of its parts. Though I am not a guitar player I’m well aware of his influence, and his impact cannot be measured “Ace Frehley, Lead Guitar! Shock me!” you will be missed Thank you for the Rocket Ride! My deepest sympathies to the Frehley family and those that were closest," he said.
Rob Zombie
"If you were a kid in the 70s Kiss was everything. I bought Destroyer back in 1976 without having heard a single note and was blown away. ⚡️ In 2006 I was lucky enough to jam with Ace on God Of Thunder at the VH 1 Kiss Honors. A little weird since Kiss was also playing minus Ace. But still an epic moment for me⚡️ Rock on Spaceman RIP⚡️," he said.The post How Rock stars reacted to Ace Frehley’s death appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.