Rock stars from all through the previous 50 years have joined to pay tribute to influential KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who died yesterday (Oct. 16) on the age of 74. The musician suffered a mind harm after falling in his recording studio final month and had been respiration with the help of a ventilator in latest days.
“Our hearts are damaged,” wrote KISS bandmate Gene Simmons. “Ace has handed on. Nobody can contact Ace’s legacy. I do know he cherished the followers. He instructed me many occasions. Sadder nonetheless, Ace didn’t stay lengthy sufficient to be honored on the Kennedy Heart Honors occasion in December. Ace was the everlasting rock soldier. Lengthy could his legacy stay on!”
“With a damaged coronary heart and deep, deep unhappiness, my brother Ace Frehley has handed away,” stated KISS drummer Peter Criss. “He died peacefully along with his household round him. My spouse and I have been with him to the top as properly. I really like you my brother. My love and prayers exit to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy and all of Ace’s prolonged household, bandmates, followers and buddies. Might the Lord consolation you at this troublesome time. As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo profession, Ace influenced and contact the hearts of tens of millions of individuals. His legacy will stay on within the music business and within the hearts of the KISS Military. At the moment I ask all of you to please be respectful to Ace’s household and permit them to grieve privately. To the KISS Military and Ace’s Rock Troopers, my coronary heart is with you all… Damaged.”
“All my buddies have spent untold hours speaking about KISS and shopping for KISS stuff,” stated Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. “Ace was a hero of mine and in addition I’d think about a pal. I studied his solos endlessly over time. Simply take heed to ‘Alive’ — I used his solo from ‘She’ as a template. Ace jammed on ‘Black Diamond’ with Pearl Jam at Madison Sq. Backyard — a dream come true for me. I’d not have picked up a guitar with out Ace and KISS’s affect.”
“Completely surprised and saddened by the information Ace Frehley has tragically handed away,” stated Rush’s Geddy Lee. “Again in 1974, because the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil [Peart] and myself spent many an evening hanging out collectively in his lodge room after reveals, doing no matter nonsense we might consider, simply to make him get away his inimitable and infectious giggle. He was an plain character and an genuine rock star. RIP Ace. Thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock’n’roll world.
“My first guitar hero, Ace Frehley, has handed away,” wrote Rage Towards the Machine’s Tom Morello. “The legendary Area Ace Frehley impressed generations to like rock’n’roll and love rock’n’roll guitar enjoying. His timeless riffs and solos, the billowing smoke coming from his Les Paul, the rockets capturing from his headstock, his cool spacey onstage wobble and his unforgettable loopy giggle can be missed however won’t ever be forgotten. Thanks, Ace for a lifetime of nice music and reminiscences.”
“Ace was the primary particular person I met after we have been forming Stylish,” wrote the group’s chief, Nile Rodgers. “KISS have been enjoying at a spot known as Le Jardin. With out his make-up, no one acknowledged him as he sat at my desk. Just a few minutes earlier than, the gang have been dropping their shit over him. I discovered rather a lot that night time. Actually historic.”
Added guitarist Steve Vai, “Ace Frehley was the embodiment of rock’n’roll perspective — unapologetic, loud and irresistibly catchy. His riffs had swagger, his tone had chew and his presence lit up phases like a supernova. The Spaceman has left the stage, however his orbit will shine endlessly.”
