Sachin Shankar Yadav 
One of rock’s most captivating personalities, Ace Frehley (1951–2025), was a guitar hero who went from being a Bronx dreamer to becoming “The Spaceman,” the interstellar icon for KISS. Innovation, showmanship, rebellion, and classic rock hits like “Shock Me” and “New York Groove” are all interwoven in his legacy.
Ace, who was born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, was surrounded by melody and rhythm as a child. At the age of 13, he started playing the guitar, taking inspiration from American and British rock icons like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix. Long before it became a stage name, his easy charm earned him the nickname “Ace” among friends.
In response to an advertisement by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Frehley tried out for KISS, a new band that would soon transform rock theater, in 1973. His otherworldly “Spaceman” persona, complete with smoke-spewing guitars and silver star face paint, came to represent KISS’s explosive visual aesthetic. Frehley’s melodic instincts and creative solos were essential to the band’s hits, including “Detroit Rock City,” “Cold Gin,” and “Shock Me.”
The song “Shock Me,” which was included on Love Gun (1977), was a turning point because it was Frehley’s first time taking the lead vocals on a KISS album. A near-electrocution incident during a 1976 concert served as the direct inspiration for the song, which transformed a terrifying event into a rock triumph. The band’s rebellious spirit was embodied by his self-deprecating humor and scorching guitar tone.
All four KISS members simultaneously released solo albums in 1978, but Ace’s was the only one to achieve platinum status. His rendition of “New York Groove,” which was composed by Russ Ballard and recorded by Hello, turned into a song about self-reinvention and urban pride. Being a native of the Bronx, Frehley personified the swagger and sound of New York, giving the song a sense of ownership so potent that it became a rallying cry for the entire city. Later, it was played at Mets games and appeared in Grand Theft Auto IV.
Frehley formed Frehley’s Comet after departing KISS in 1982, and he led his own group until the late 1980s. He rejoined KISS for their renowned 1996 reunion tour and stayed until 2002. Even into his seventies, his trademark “space rock” sound and unadulterated energy were evident in his subsequent solo albums, such as 10,000 Volts (2024).
On October 16, 2025, Ace Frehley died at home in Morristown, New Jersey. He was seventy-four. According to his family, a fall was the cause of death. As fans rediscovered the cosmic charisma of KISS’s original lead guitarist, tributes poured in from all over the rock world, and his hit song “New York Groove” shot back into the charts.
Frehley formed Frehley’s Comet after departing KISS in 1982, and he led his own group until the late 1980s. He rejoined KISS for their renowned 1996 reunion tour and stayed until 2002. Even into his seventies, his trademark “space rock” sound and unadulterated energy were evident in his subsequent solo albums, such as 10,000 Volts (2024).