Vinnie Vincent , former guitarist of KISS , paid a lengthy tribute to the band's original guitarist,
Ace Frehley , who died last Thursday, October 16, at the age of 74.
Vincent, who replaced Frehley in KISS in 1982, rarely makes public statements, but he took a moment to post a tribute on his Facebook : “Ace Frehley gone too soon. The loss of a loved one. I wanted to say the right words that could describe the loss of a loved one, but nothing I could say would be able to comfort the millions of fans who idolized, adored and revered Ace, the man and the legend, and make their pain go away.”
Vinnie Vincent shared moments he spent with Ace: “Strangely, my only encounter with Ace was in 1982, during the filming of the music video for 'I Love It Loud'. In total disbelief, the band whose records I didn't know was recording a song that Gene [ Simmons , bassist/vocalist of KISS] and I had written, and there I was, the newcomer watching Ace's magical persona on stage, enjoying a song I had written??? Surreal? Way beyond that. I remember knocking on Ace's dressing room door to introduce myself and say hi. I was nervous meeting the larger-than-life legend in person. I was green, speechless, and awestruck by Ace's presence and the magnitude of fame Ace achieved in his incredible career.”
“However, in my one and only fleeting encounter with him, I read a person who had lost his heart. His only words to me were, ‘Hey, kid. Good luck. You’re going to need it.’ He was more right than I could have imagined. We shook hands, wished each other luck, and said goodbye. Those were the only words I shared with Ace from 1982 until we met again in 2022 for a memorable weekend of musical performances in Nashville,” Vincent added.
Ace's journey here is complete. He has crossed the threshold into eternity. A door we all pass through at some point. But what he leaves for all of us here are the images, the recordings, the performances, the happy memories of Ace, the person, the man, the musical works and a magical persona that was loved by all, young and old, and a stage presence that will live on forever. I am eternally proud and grateful to have shared the same “eternal legacy” of KISS as Ace… we were an incredible band. Cheers, my friend. You will be greatly missed by everyone and by me. I will grieve tomorrow and always, just as I am grieving now. Love, light and peace, Vinnie Vincent.”
Check out the full testimonial below:
Farewell to Ace Frehley, the eternal Spaceman.
Ace Frehley died last Thursday, October 16th, at the age of 74. His family has not yet revealed the exact cause of death, but in a statement on the musician's social media accounts , posted this Friday, the 17th, they reported that Ace died after a fall in his home studio.
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, shortly after suffering minor injuries in 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.
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