“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.“
— Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS
REMEMBERING AN ICON — Less than 24 hours after Ace Frehley‘s death, the entertainment industry has exploded with tributes and messages honoring the fallen KISS guitarist.
Frehley died yesterday (October 16th 2025) after his family made the difficult decision to remove the guitarist from life-support.
With the passing of such an iconic musician, as expected there has been a flood of tributes, condolences and messages from fellow band-mates, peers, friends and fans world-wide.
Metal Sludge have compiled and shared some of those messages below.
Frehley‘s Family Official Statement: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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!”
Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley: “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.”
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!”
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…”
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 touch 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… God Bless.”
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.”
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”
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”.
Blackie Lawless: “My friend and my Brother is gone. My heart is so heavy I can barley find words. He was one of only a few remaining links left to my childhood. I was still in my teens when we became friends. I then was privileged to watch from the beginning this “new up and coming band” called KISS be born. When we became friends to use his words he was “a nobody” Those words would soon fade forever. I sat next to him and watched this little up and coming band become the biggest band in the world. The world now will no doubt write stories, accolades and memorials about a public figure they only knew from the afar. Back then we had no money so we collected coke bottles to cash them in for deposits so we could buy 25 cent beers. It’s those kind of little things make you tight. Our friendship changed my career and my life forever.
I am too selfish and hurt to share anymore of the memories I hold so dear of our times together. He was my friend, a life and career mentor …..my big brother. I love You Pauly.
Blackie Lawless“
Bret Michaels: “Ace Frehley Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time. All my love and respect, from my family and myself – may you rest in peace!!!”
Geddy Lee: “Absolutely stunned and saddened by the news Ace Frehley has tragically passed away. Back in 1974, as the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil and myself spent many a night hanging out together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of, just to make him break out his inimitable and infectious laugh. He was an undeniable character and an authentic rock star. RIP Ace .. thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock and roll world.”
Geoff Tate: “I don’t know if you’ve heard, Ace Frehley died today. Love that man. A native of the Bronx, not too far from here. [He] will go down in musical history. Ace Frehley of KISS has passed.”
“I’d like to pay a tribute with a song inspired a lot by his former band. Let’s do one more for Ace.”
Steve Vai: “Ace Frehley was the embodiment of rock ’n’ roll attitude — unapologetic, loud, and irresistibly catchy. His riffs had swagger, his tone had bite, and his presence lit up stages like a supernova. During my teenage years, his playing inspired me not because it was polished, but because it was gloriously unfiltered and full of life. Ace reminded us all that rock should never apologize for being fun and that a little chaos can sound downright heavenly. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans. The Spaceman has left the stage, but his orbit will shine forever.”
Tom Morello: “My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has passed away. The legendary Space Ace Frehley inspired gene
Also, various players who worked with, performed with or toured with Frehley over his solo career have also started to pay their respects.
Jeremy Asbrock: “I bought my first KISS record in my backyard when I was 4 years old from a neighbor. It was side 3&4 of Alive II. My brother picked that one because it had Shout It Out Loud, and we went straight to that song. The insanity of the crowd, the energy of the band, the bombs… my path was immediately laid.
Ace has been part of my life almost as long as I can remember. He was my inspiration for being a guitar player. Not the drummer, bass player, or lead singer.
I’ve been Ace for Halloween many times. I’ve been Ace in a KISS tribute band. Ace has been on my walls almost all of my life.
The first time I met him was onstage in front of 40,000 people when he was a guest of Gene Simmons at a benefit show. I met him as the guitar player for his band, onstage at a soundcheck in front of 100 people in Adelaide, Australia. We went to Japan from there, and he asked us to be his band at the end of that week.
It’s hard to condense 7 years of being Ace’s bandmate into short form. I not only completed a circle from a childhood idol to bandmate and friend, but I made friends I now consider family, had some incredible bandmates along that journey.
When Ace was ON, it was hard to lose myself in the show because I’d catch myself watching and listening to him. I am EXTREMELY grateful that I had the opportunity to be Ace’s stage left for 7 years, and have his back. There is a giant hole in my heart because I’ll never get another fist bump from him at the start of the show, I’ll never get to play the Detroit Rock City solo with him again, get one of his texts with a ton of emojis, or hear one of his crazy theories or stories, or get a hug when he arrived at the venue. These are only a few thi
Ace proved that style goes a long way. He was a great composer of a song within a song type solo. It spawned more guitar players than almost anyone else(myself included), and have truly withstood the test of time. Anyone who says Ace sucks is missing the point of music in general.
I’m extremely grateful that the very last thing I said to Ace was “I love you man!”. You never know when it’s the last time for anything. Make sure you tell loved ones often.
Thank you Ace for being an inspiration, a bandmate, and a friend.
Rest In Peace, Brother.”
Steve Brown: “There would be no Trixter if not for KISS and ACE. Getting to know Ace, Work with Ace and call him a friend has been surreal in every way and we will forever cherish that. We will miss him dearly and our most heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his band and his crew. R.I.P. Spaceman #legend”
We have also shared some podcast tributes from the Waste Some Time with Jason Green show, The Hair Metal Guru and Artists On Record with Stefan Adika.
Stay tuned to Metal Sludge for more Breaking News, Updates and Features along with both New Interviews and Classic 20 Questions.
