KISS’ Guitarists All Reflect on the Life + Legacy of Ace Frehley

Though Ace Frehley may have been KISS' original guitarist, he wasn't the only one to hold down that position for the group and each of the living KISS guitarists have all shared statements on the passing of Ace Frehley.

Over the past day, fellow original KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss have all left their initial comments on the guitarist's death. Frehley passed on Thursday (Oct. 16) at the age of 74.

What Did Bruce Kulick Say About the Death of Ace Frehley?

Bruce Kulick held down the guitarist spot for KISS between 1984 and 1996, taking over the spot after a brief tenure by Mark St. John.

Speaking through his X account, Kulick shared the following:

The news of Ace’s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply affected me as well. He was one of a kind. And truly an iconic guitar player. His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten. Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world. RIP

READ MORE: Top 10 Ace Frehley KISS Songs

What Did Tommy Thayer Say About the Death of Ace Frehley?

The only guitarist to have spent more time in KISS that Frehley was Tommy Thayer, who took over guitar duties in 2002 and remained in the spot through their 2023 touring conclusion.

Thayer also shared his thoughts on Frehley through his X social media account, expressing the following:

A legend who will never be forgotten. He inspired generations of guitarists, myself included, to chase greatness. It’s been an honor to walk in his footsteps. His legacy will live forever. Rest in peace, Ace.

What Did Vinnie Vincent Say About the Death of Ace Frehley?

Vinnie Vincent was the initial replacement for Frehley in 1982 after the band split with the guitarist. He remained with the group into 1984, giving way to Mark St. John for a short period before Kulick joined the band.

Though nothing has been posted to his Instagram or official website, Vincent did appear to leave what appears to be a placeholder post acknowledging Frehley's death and encouraging fans to share their thoughts on Frehley on the Vinnie Vincent Invasion Facebook page.

The image on the post simply reads: "Ace Frehley, Rest in Peace, He Will Be Missed" with a red heart emoji. However, the first comment on the post adds, "My statement on Ace will be forthcoming." At press time, Vincent had not issued any further comment, but we'll update this post when a statement is shared.

UPDATE: Vinnie Vincent has now posted his tribute to Ace Frehley, which reads as follows:

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 muster would begin to comfort the millions of fans who idolized worshiped and adored Ace, the man and the legend, and make their pain go away.
Ace's passing brought me back many long miles away to the beginning of my own journey, strangely replacing Ace in Kiss, a band who's music i knew little about, aside from a few radio singles, and had no fan interest in, aside from the magnitude of their massive success, yet I wanted it more than life itself.
My religion as a 12-year-old were the BEATLES.... which was ten years earlier than the Kiss beginning of 1974. My addiction grew from the Beatles to Zeppelin.. Jeff Beck to Mahavishnu jazz rock fusion of the 70's. So I was a decade early in sharing the nostalgia with the Kiss fan base, who as adults will forever embrace Kiss through their own childhood memories.
Yet in the strangest twist of irony, I found myself replacing Ace, as Kiss guitarist in an "odd couple gone berserk sitcom" like setting, writing songs and rehearsing with the revamped Kiss with Eric Carr on drums and being served contracts to sign as Ace's replacement..... wondering in disbelief, how the hell in the world did this happen?
Here I was, stepping into the bigger than life legend Ace Frehley's boots (literally) which was similar to learning to walking on stilts. Once I got used to them it became as normal as playing my guitar. Oddly My one and only encounter with Ace was in 1982 at the video shoot for I LOVE IT LOUD. In utter disbelief, the band who's records I was unfamiliar with were recording a song Gene and I wrote and here I was, the new kid watching the magical persona Ace on stage rocking out to a song I wrote??? Surreal? Way past that.
I remember knocking on Aces door to his dressing room to introduce myself and say hi. I was nervous meeting the bigger than life legend himself. I was green, lost for words and overwhelmed by Ace's presence and the magnitude of fame Ace achieved in his amazing career. Yet in my one and only fleeting encounter with him I read a person who lost their heart. His only words to me were "hey kid. good luck. you're gonna need it." He was more right than he could have imagined. We shook hands and wished each other luck and said goodbye.
Those are the only words I ever shared with Ace from 1982 until we met again in 2022 for a memorable music performance weekend in Nashville. During those years I never heard from Ace, we never crossed paths. Not unusual for me as I'm not a social person. But Suddenly it all changed in 2022. Ace and I shared a belated moment of bonding that felt good. Real good. No pretense. We liked each other!!! We came full circle from our beginning handshake in 1982 to meeting up for a very special Kiss legacy show in Nashville. It was a weekend I will forever remember fondly shared with Bruce Kulick, Ace, Peter Criss and myself as band members coming together for the first time in support of our individual legacy as we gave tribute to the band we were historically intertwined: the greatest band in the world, known as KISS. The band who's sum was greater than its parts.
Could words adequately eulogize the "legend" of Ace Frehley? I think not. To me a legend is all encompassing and all consuming, embracing the heart soul and mind of their individual audience. A legend is everlasting, emoting the same fan pride, well being and warmth to the person they have touched thru their artistry thru the passage of time. Thru light and dark, the effect of that artist remains steadfast in the fans he touched. Ace was all of that and much more. Ace possessed that special something.. a magic that touched his fans, and they loved him deeply. And they are crying for him now.
Even during Ace's more difficult moments, his legion of fans did not abandon him. They stood with him and cheered him on to let Ace know they had his back and to show Ace he was loved no matter what. You can't buy that. Ace brought the gift of everlasting childhood to all the fans who loved him. Everyone felt that way about Ace from rockstars music gear companies and fans alike. Everyone loved him. Ace was the every man rock star. That's what a legend is. That's ACE FREHLEY.
Ace's journey here is complete. He has walked through the portal into eternity. A door we all walk thru 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 magic character persona that was loved by everyone, young and old alike and a stage presence that will live forever. I'm forever proud and grateful to have shared the same Kiss "forever legacy" as Ace....we were one fucking hell of a great band.
Cheers, my friend. You will be sorely missed by everyone and by me. I will hurt tomorrow and always as I am hurting now. Love light and peace, VINNIE VINCENT

Since news of Frehley's death began to spread Thursday afternoon, a wealth of tributes have come in from those in the rock and metal community and beyond. Through these tributes, the wide breadth of Frehley's influence on a generation of players can be felt and the love and respect generated by the musician has been spelled out through many of the stories.