Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss were among the first to pay tribute to late former bandmate Ace Frehley. Frehley, a guitarist and one of the founding members of legendary rock band KISS, died on Thursday (October 16). He was 74.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” KISS posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday night. “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.”

Frehley’s family confirmed the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member’s death in a statement, shared by Rolling Stone and other news outlets on Thursday evening: “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!”

Frehley reportedly suffered a brain bleed when he fell in his studio weeks ago, unnamed sources confirmed to TMZ hours before the rocker’s passing. Frehley was on life support on Thursday afternoon. He’d recently canceled the remainder of his 2025 performances, citing “some ongoing medical issues.”

“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,” Stanley, 73, shared in a tribute of his own, adding “my favorite photo of us.”

Criss, 79, wrote in a statement on his website: “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…”

“Our hearts are broken,” Simmons, 76, posted. “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!”

The Kennedy Center expressed sadness “to hear of the passing of one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees,” and stated that there will be a tribute to Frehley at the December ceremony. Others posting tributes to Frehley include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Pantera, Bret Michaels, Tom Morello and more.

Frehley is survived by wife Jeanette, daughter Monique, brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, nieces Suncere Frehley and Julie Salvner, nephews Sky Frehley and Andrew Salvner, sister-in-law Michelanne and brother-in-law Ron Salvner, reads the caption of a post on the late rocker’s Instagram account on Thursday evening. The post concludes, “Rest in peace, Spaceman🚀”

Mel Taylor