Biography
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley (April 27, 1951 – October 16, 2025) was an American musician best known as the original lead guitarist and a founding member of the legendary rock band Kiss. Born and raised in The Bronx, New York City, Frehley received his first electric guitar at age 14 and quickly developed a passion for music, drawing inspiration from rock icons like The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. In 1973, he answered a newspaper ad and successfully auditioned for a then-unnamed band, joining Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss to form Kiss, where he created the iconic 'Spaceman' persona and contributed to the band's explosive stage presence and sound.[1][4]
Frehley's tenure with Kiss spanned from 1973 to 1982, during which the band achieved massive commercial success, particularly after the release of "Kiss Alive" in 1975. Known for his aggressive, melodic guitar playing and innovative use of special effects guitars, Frehley became a defining figure in glam rock and metal. After leaving Kiss, he formed Frehley's Comet and launched a solo career, releasing several albums, including his platinum-selling 1978 debut. He rejoined Kiss for their 1996 reunion and remained until 2002, later continuing his solo work, with his final album, "10,000 Volts," released in 2024. Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss, cementing his legacy as one of rock's most influential guitarists.[1][2][4]
Fun Facts
- Ace Frehley designed the iconic 'Spaceman' persona and was known for his smoking, light-up, and pyrotechnic guitars on stage.[1]
- His 1978 self-titled solo album was the most commercially successful of the four solo albums released by Kiss members that year, achieving platinum status.[1]
- Frehley survived multiple car accidents, including a notorious 1983 crash in a DeLorean while driving against traffic on the Bronx River Expressway.[2]
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss in 2014.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- The Rolling Stones - Major stylistic influence on Frehley's early guitar playing and musical direction (General influence, not specific albums) [1960s-1970s]
- Jimi Hendrix - Inspired Frehley's guitar technique and use of effects (General influence, not specific albums) [1960s-1970s]
- Led Zeppelin - Influenced Frehley's approach to hard rock and guitar solos (General influence, not specific albums) [1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Gene Simmons - Bandmate in Kiss, co-founder (All Kiss albums (1973–1982, 1996–2002)) [1973–1982, 1996–2002]
- Paul Stanley - Bandmate in Kiss, co-founder (All Kiss albums (1973–1982, 1996–2002)) [1973–1982, 1996–2002]
- Peter Criss - Bandmate in Kiss, original drummer (All Kiss albums (1973–1980, 1996–2001)) [1973–1980, 1996–2001]
- John Regan - Bassist in Frehley's Comet (Frehley's Comet (1987), Second Sighting (1988)) [1984–1989]
- Anton Fig - Drummer in Frehley's Comet and on solo projects (Frehley's Comet albums, Ace Frehley (1978)) [1978, 1984–1987]
Artists Influenced
- Dimebag Darrell - Cited Ace Frehley as a key influence on his guitar style (Pantera's discography) [1980s–2000s]
- Dave Grohl - Publicly acknowledged Frehley and Kiss as early inspirations (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) [1990s–2020s]
- Slash - Named Frehley as a major influence on his playing (Guns N' Roses, solo work) [1980s–2020s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kiss: Ace Frehley | 1978-01-01 | Album |
| Frehley's Comet | 1987-05-15 | Album |
| 10,000 Volts | 2024-02-23 | Album |
| Trouble Walkin' | 1989 | Album |
| Kiss: Ace Frehley | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| Origins, Vol. 1 | 2016-04-15 | Album |
| Anomaly (Deluxe Edition) | 2017-10-06 | Album |
| Origins Vol.2 | 2020-09-18 | Album |
| The Atlantic Years | 2019-12-06 | Album |
| Spaceman | 2018-10-19 | Album |
| Rock Soldiers | 2019-11-01 | Album |
| American Animals (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2018-06-22 | Album |
| Space Invader (Deluxe Edition) | 2014-08-19 | Album |
| Space Invader | 2014-08-19 | Album |
| Take My Heart (Live 1987) | 2022-06-15 | Album |
Top Tracks
- New York Groove (Kiss: Ace Frehley)
- Rip It Out (Kiss: Ace Frehley)
- Into the Night (Frehley's Comet)
- New York Groove (Kiss: Ace Frehley)
- Rock Soldiers (Frehley's Comet)
- Speedin' Back To My Baby (Kiss: Ace Frehley)
- 10,000 Volts (10,000 Volts)
- New York Groove
- Do Ya (Trouble Walkin')
- Snow Blind (Kiss: Ace Frehley)
External Links
Tags: #1970s, #blues-rock, #classic-rock
References
Heard on WWOZ
ace frehley has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2025 | 20:39 | into the night | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |