Ace Frehley, Kiss Founding Lead Guitarist, Dies at 74 After Brain Injury from Fall

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and co-founder of Kiss, has died at 74 after suffering a brain injury from a fall.

“Ace Frehley, who co-founded the rock bandKissand was its lead guitarist for eight years and nine studio albums and two live discs, died today after spending several weeks hospitalized for a fall”

Deadline

Family statements and reports differ on specifics around the cause and location of his death.

Deadline

Variety reports he died due to injuries sustained from a fall last month.

NPR says his family did not disclose the cause of death.

Hindustan Times adds he was placed on life support following a brain bleed, noting the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Several outlets describe a peaceful passing surrounded by family.

HuffPost says he passed away peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by family after a recent fall.

AP News confirms simply that he has died at the age of 74.

Accounts agree that a fall in late September triggered his decline, but they differ on the severity and medical details.

Vulture reports he was "on life support" after a studio fall on September 25, which was initially described as a "minor fall."

Press of Atlantic City

People describes a "brain bleed caused by a fall several weeks ago," noting the incident was first labeled as a "minor fall."

Local and broadcast outlets highlight increasing medical interventions.

FOX 9 states he was "placed on a ventilator without signs of improvement."

102.5 KZOK reports he was "on life support" following a brain bleed in late September.

Billboard emphasizes the progression from a "minor fall" to being on "life support," showing how the narrative changed as his condition worsened.

Frehley’s legacy is described as foundational to Kiss and to rock guitar.

“A Hollywood legend and iconic actress died suddenly at age 79, with her family officially confirming the cause of death”

News.au

NPR highlights he wrote Kiss staples “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me” and scored a solo hit with “New York Groove.”

Variety and TheWrap emphasize his co-founding role and impact on era-defining albums like Destroyer and Love Gun.

Consequence of Sound situates him historically—joining in 1972 as the “Space Ace” and contributing to the band’s classic early records and the live landmark Alive!.

They also note his 1978 solo album and later Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

The Music Universe adds distinctive lore, crediting him with co-creating Kiss’s double-lightning-bolt logo and tracing his solo chart successes beyond Kiss.

Coverage of his later years varies between reunion hopes, honors, and projects in progress.

Consequence of Sound notes he was interested in participating in KISS’s recent farewell tour but did not perform.

Variety

Billboard says he had recently expressed hope for a possible original KISS lineup reunion.

Multiple outlets spotlight national honors.

Entertainment Weekly says he was announced as a 2025 Kennedy Center honoree.

Local 102.5 KZOK reports he was set to join his KISS bandmates in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors in December.

Fox News and People detail that, before his health crisis escalated, he planned to continue his tour and work on his upcoming album, 'Origins Vol. 4.'

A number of outlets include unusual or tangential framing alongside the obituary, highlighting varying editorial priorities.

“Several notable cultural and sports figures passed away recently: - Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for playing Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died at 54 from accidental drowning in Costa Rica on July 20”

Buffalo News

Press of Atlantic City combines the death notice with storm coverage, noting that a nor'easter is affecting the East Coast.

Buffalo News

Just Jared packages the obituary with entertainment roundups, ranging from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 to Selena Gomez, before reporting the death of Ace Frehley.

Some local and regional outlets bundle his passing into broader obituary lists, with Opelika-Auburn News including unrelated deaths like Pope Francis.

The Missoulian cites a sweeping catalog of figures and even the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Fan-focused coverage also appears, as The Blast aggregates social media reactions and notes that users feared a negative outcome.