Alice Cooper pays tribute to 'absolute guitar hero' Ace Frehley
Alice Cooper has hailed Ace Frehley "one of the greatest guitar players out there".
Alice Cooper has paid tribute to "absolute guitar hero" Ace Frehley.
The founding member of the legendary glam rock band died on Thursday (16.10.25), aged 74, following a recent fall at his home.
Tributes have flooded in for the I Was Made For Lovin’ You hitmaker, with the 77-year-old shock rocker among those mourning the loss of the pioneering musician.
Alongside a black-and-white photograph of Alice and Ace, the Poison hitmaker penned on Instagram: “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 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.”
He concluded: “Ace was an ACE.”
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley led the tributes, describing their old bandmate as an "irreplaceable rock soldier".
The two KISS guitarists been left "devastated" by his passing.
Gene and Paul wrote in a joint statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter: "I am 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. My thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world."
KISS founding member Peter Criss wrote on X: "I'm shocked!!!
My friend... I love you!
#KissArmy #AceFrehley #Kiss
#Spaceman (sic)"
Poison frontman Bret Michaels wrote: "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!!! (sic)"
Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello described Ace as his "first guitar hero".
He wrote: "My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has passed away. The legendary Space Ace Frehley inspired generations to love rock n roll and love rock n roll guitar playing. His timeless riffs and solos, the billowing smoke coming from his Les Paul, the rockets shooting from his headstock, his cool spacey onstage wobble and his unforgettable crazy laugh will be missed but will never be forgotten. Thank you, Ace for a lifetime of great music and memories."
Tool's MJ Keenan wrote: "Godspeed, Ace."
Ace - whose real name was Paul Frehley - played with KISS from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. He subsequently formed his own band named Frehley's Comet, and even enjoyed success as a solo artist.
