KISS legend and founding guitarist Ace Frehley’s cause of death has been revealed.
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The rock icon died in Morristown, New Jersey on October 16. He was 74 years old. Per a statement shared by his family at the time, Ace – also known as Spaceman – died “peacefully surrounded by family” following “a recent fall at his home”.
An investigation was then launched into Frehley’s death, and the results of a medical examination have now been revealed, ruling his death as an accident. Per medical reports obtained by Rolling Stone, a CT scan of the guitarist’s head revealed “multiple contusions, bone fractures to the back of his skull, hemorrhages and a subdural hematoma”, all of which are linked to blunt force trauma suffered from his fall.
Rolling Stone also reports that additional bruises were discovered on his hip, thigh and abdomen, and that he had reportedly suffered a stroke. An additional report from TMZ also claims that Frehley was placed on life support for some time after the fall.
The guitarist co-founded KISS in 1973 with singer Paul Stanley, bassist and part-time singer Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. After nearly a decade, Frehley had left the band to pursue a solo career, coupled with his struggles with substance abuse and rising tension within the band about their direction.
In the years following his exit from KISS, Frehley formed a new band, Frehley’s Comet, and he would rejoin KISS for their reunion in 1996 – staying with them until 2002. He did not join them for their farewell world tour in 2022. Among the songs Ace helped write for KISS were classics like ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’, ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’, ‘Detroit Rock City’, ‘Love Gun’ and more.
On December 7, the late guitarist will become the third musician to posthumously receive a Kennedy Center Honour (via Far Out). He follows on from Eagles’ Glenn Frey and Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh in getting the award.
Additionally, the remaining members of KISS’ most recent line-up – consisting of Simmons, Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer – are due to reunite this coming weekend for the KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas celebration, where they are expected to honour Frehley during the three-day event.
Among the names names who have paid tribute to Frehley include Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Nile Rodgers, Steve Vai, John 5, Rush, Alice Cooper, and more.