KISS legend Ace Frehley has died at the age of 74 after suffering a devastating brain bleed that left him on life support.
After being hospitalized and placed on a ventilator, the iconic musician died Thursday when his family made the difficult decision to turn off life support, per TMZ.
The musician reportedly collapsed in his home studio a few weeks ago, hitting his head in a frightening fall that triggered the medical crisis, per the outlet.
Since then, his condition worsened, forcing the rock icon to cancel all remaining tour dates.
Sources close to Frehley said he had been on a ventilator for days, with doctors seeing little improvement before the heartbreaking decision.
Frehley — the Bronx-born guitarist who helped form KISS in 1973 alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss — played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s wild, face-painted legacy.
KISS legend Ace Frehley has died at the age of 74 after suffering a devastating brain bleed that left him on life support; (pictured 2018)
After being hospitalized and placed on a ventilator, the iconic musician died Thursday when his family made the difficult decision to turn off life support; (Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons in 1975)
After leaving the group in 1982, he launched Frehley’s Comet before reuniting with KISS for their blockbuster 1996 reunion tour.
He remained until 2002, continuing to perform and record solo in the years that followed.
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On September 25, Frehley’s official Instagram assured fans he was ‘fine,’ though doctors had ordered him not to travel.
Just a week later, a follow-up post confirmed he was canceling the remainder of his 2025 dates, citing ‘ongoing medical issues.’
Rumors rippled through the rock world that Frehley had passed after veteran music journalist Mitch Lafon tweeted, ‘Ace, Thank you for the music & memories God bless’
The cryptic farewell was echoed by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, who added, ‘Godspeed, Ace,’ — fueling speculation that something was seriously wrong with the beloved guitarist.
The emotional posts left fans frantic for answers, especially after Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour.
‘Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates,’ read the somber message posted to his official Instagram on Monday, October 6.
It was the second time in weeks the ‘Spaceman’ musician pulled out of shows due to health concerns.
The musician reportedly collapsed in his home studio a few weeks ago, hitting his head in a frightening fall that triggered the medical crisis; (Stanley, Peter Criss, Simmons, Frehley in 1976)
Frehley abruptly announced he was canceling the rest of his 2025 tour
Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a ‘minor fall in his studio’ that landed him in the hospital.
Just last month, he revealed he had suffered a ‘minor fall in his studio’ that landed him in the hospital.
The post at the time read: ‘Dear Rock Soldiers, Ace had a minor fall in his studio, resulting in a trip to the hospital.He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.
‘As a result, he is forced to cancel his performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California on Friday, September 26th.
‘Please go to the fair to support his friends in Quiet Riot and Vixen, and Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, Origins Vol. 4.’
KISS icon Gene Simmons has broken his silence after he was hospitalized following a car crash in Malibu earlier this week
The troubling news about Frehley comes just days after his KISS bandmate Simmons broke his silence following a frightening car crash in Malibu.
The 76-year-old star was hospitalized last week after apparently passing out while driving down Pacific Coast Highway and slamming into a parked car.
Simmons was treated at a local hospital and later released, telling fans he’s ‘completely fine.’
Taking to X, the bassist joked about his driving skills while thanking everyone for their support: ‘Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us who are horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.’
NBC4 LA reported that Simmons’ Lincoln Navigator veered into a parked vehicle after he allegedly fainted behind the wheel.
The rock icon has since reassured fans he’s recovering and doing well.