Mikael Åkerfeldt, vocalist of Opeth , paid tribute to Ace Frehley , former guitarist and founding member of KISS , who died last Thursday, October 16, at the age of 74 , saying that Ace was "the coolest guy of the original four".
Through his band's social media , Mikael wrote a lengthy statement:
"It is with great sadness and shock that we say goodbye and thank Paul 'Ace' Frehley. A beacon of rock for guitarists worldwide. A huge influence on many, not to mention me and Fredrik. For me, Ace was the coolest of the original four. He had a kind of arrogance that almost defined the term itself. A sort of Keith Richards , albeit with silver makeup and platform heels. Kiss was an introduction to my 'rock school'. All my childhood friends were Kiss fans, and many of them considered Ace the ultimate rock star."
Ace Frehley was incredible. Pure and simple. I think of him now, not just as the great guitarist who rocked from 'left to right' with his Gibson Les Paul , but also as that jovial guy who contradicted/challenged the generic (and sometimes silly) rock star mannerisms of the 'bosses', Gene and Paul . After all, the 'astronaut' was human. If you haven't yet seen Ace Frehley cracking jokes and laughs during Kiss's interview with Tom Snyder Elvis Presley 's classic and moving live rendition of 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' from 1969. Priceless!
"There will probably be a gathering with my Kiss collection tonight. That being said, I do this all the time, anyway. Regardless of any tragic events like what we are currently experiencing. Ace Frehley will be missed by millions. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans. With love, Opeth."
Farewell to Ace Frehley, the eternal Spaceman.
Ace Frehley died last Thursday, October 16th, at the age of 74. The exact cause of death was not revealed, but a statement on the musician's social media , posted this Friday, the 17th, informs that Ace died after a fall in his home studio.
Rumors about Ace Frehley's death and premature tributes began circulating online on Thursday afternoon, the 16th. According to the TMZ , the guitarist was being kept alive with the help of machines after suffering a fall at home . The accident reportedly resulted in a brain hemorrhage. The portal also reported that the family decided to turn off the machines: "Sources familiar with Ace's situation have told us that he suffered a brain hemorrhage when he fell in his studio a few weeks ago."
Ace Frehley had cancelled all previously announced 2025 tour dates due to unspecified “medical issues” following a recent hospitalization. The musician's announcement came two weeks after he cancelled a performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in California after suffering minor injuries from a fall at home. Ace was also working on his new album, Origins Vol. 4 .
Alongside Gene Simmons , Paul Stanley , and Peter Criss , Ace founded KISS, where he remained from 1973 to 1982, leaving the band due to creative differences and drug problems.
READ ALSO: Fall in studio caused death of Ace Frehley, statement says.
