Space Ace, One Year Gone

I remember the first time I ever saw a KISS album. Must have been when I was about 8 years old. A friend’s older brother had Alive! propped up against his stereo cabinet down in the basement of his parents’ house.

Why did I notice it? Four guys, covered in makeup. And one of them looked like he came from outer space.

Ace Frehley died a year ago today, October 16, 2025, at the age of 74 after being hospitalized back in September for a fall in his home studio. It was sad news to anybody my age.

I’ve thought a lot about Ace over the last year, maybe because KISS Destroys Anaheim ‘76 came out, and it reminded me of the power of Ace, maybe because of “Shock Me,” the first song he sang lead vocals on and wrote after getting an actual electric shock on stage.

But mostly I think about Ace because he wasn’t the best guitar player. In fact, he wasn’t even close to the best guitar player, but you could always pick him out in a crowd. His style was unmistakable.

Somebody who wasn’t the best at what he did captivated a generation of kids to be themselves and, in doing so, probably inspired more guitar players to pick up the instrument and play the way they wanted to, not the way they were supposed to.

As Gene Simmons recently pointed out, the bittersweet part is that Ace didn’t live to see KISS receive the Kennedy Center Honors back in December.

I’m playing his 1978 solo record tonight, turning it up loud and starting with “New York Groove,” before working my way through the rest of the album.

I’m sure Ace, hanging out on Jendell, will be smiling.