Ace Frehley

Early Life

Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York City, as the youngest of three children in a musically inclined family. His father, Carl, was an electrical engineer and church organist, while his mother, Esther, played piano. Frehley received his first electric guitar as a Christmas gift in 1964, which ignited his passion for music. Despite a troubled childhood that included joining a local street gang, he found solace in music, drawing inspiration from legends like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. He dropped out of high school to pursue his musical ambitions, earning the nickname "Ace" for his charm with the ladies.

Music Career

Frehley began his musical journey in local bands during high school, eventually working as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18. His early bands included the Outrage and Molimo, but it was in 1973 that he joined the iconic rock band Kiss as their original lead guitarist. Frehley contributed significantly to the band's image, creating the Spaceman persona and designing their famous double-lightning-bolt logo. He played with Kiss until 1982, rejoining in 1996 and remaining until 2002. Throughout his career, Frehley released several solo albums, including "Ace Frehley," "Trouble Walkin’," and "Space Invader."

Personal Life

Frehley was married to Jeanette Trerotola from 1976 until their legal separation in 1985, and they had a daughter, Monique, in 1980. He struggled with alcoholism for many years but achieved sobriety in 2006. Frehley published his autobiography, "No Regrets – A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir," in 2011, which became a New York Times Best Seller. His later relationships included musician Rachael Gordon and Lara Cove, with whom he lived until their split in 2024. Frehley passed away on October 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in hard rock music.