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Over the past few days, countless tributes<\/a> from fans and fellow rockers have been made for legendary KISS<\/a> guitarist Ace \u201cSpaceman\u201d Frehley<\/a> (who passed away<\/a> on Oct. 16, 2025 at the age of 74 from a fall at home). One of the most heartfelt thus far surely comes from Frehley\u2019s initial replacement in KISS \u2013 Vinnie Vincent<\/a> \u2013 who recently shared an emotional tribute to Frehley that includes a recollection of the pair\u2019s first meeting.<\/p>\n Yesterday (Oct. 18), Vincent \u2013 who placed on 1982\u2019s Creatures of the Night<\/a> <\/em>and 1983\u2019s Lick It Up<\/a> <\/em>\u2013 honored Frehley on social media, beginning:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Vincent then reminiscences about \u201cstrangely replacing Ace in Kiss, a band who\u2019s music [he] knew little about, aside from a few radio singles, and had no fan interest in, aside from the magnitude of their massive success, yet [he] wanted it more than life itself.\u201d<\/p>\n After clarifying that his favorite artists as an adolescent included the Beatles<\/a>, Led Zeppelin<\/a>, Jeff Beck<\/a> and Mahavishnu Orchestra<\/a>, he speaks about the \u201ctwist of irony\u201d in taking over for Frehley in \u201can \u2018odd couple gone beserk sitcom\u2019 like setting, writing songs and rehearsing with the revamped Kiss with Eric Carr<\/a> on drums and being served contracts to sign as Ace\u2019s replacement….. wondering in disbelief, how the hell in the world did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n Later, he details his \u201cone and only encounter\u201d with Frehley, which took place in 1982 \u201cat the video shoot for I LOVE IT LOUD.\u201d He continues: \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n From there, Vincent explains:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Reflecting further on Frehley\u2019s overarching legacy as a \u201clegend,\u201d Vincent says that Frehley was \u201call encompassing and all consuming, embracing the heart soul and mind of their individual audience.\u201d Beyond that, Vincent elaborates, Frehley was \u201ceverlasting, emoting the same fan pride, well being and warmth to the person they have touched thru their artistry thru the passage of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, Vincent concludes:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\/<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n You can see Vincent\u2019s entire post below:<\/p>\n READ MORE: Top 10 Ace Frehley KISS Songs<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Naturally, many other rockers have paid their respects<\/a> to Frehley since his passing.<\/p>\n For instance, Tool<\/a> frontman Maynard James Keenan<\/a> shared a photo of himself as a kid wearing Frehley\u2019s iconic Spaceman makeup while captioning<\/a>: \u201cGodspeed, Ace.\u201d Similarly, Poison<\/a>\u2019s Bret Michaels<\/a> tweeted a heartfelt passage<\/a>: \u201c@ace_frehley Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time. All my love and respect, from my family and myself – may you rest in peace!!! #AceFrehley.\u201d<\/p>\n Canadian prog rock powerhouse Rush<\/a> specifically mentioned<\/a> how \u201cstunned and saddened\u201d they are by Frehley\u2019s death, adding:<\/p>\n Back in 1974, as the opening act for KISS, Alex, Neil and myself spent many a night hanging out together in his hotel room after shows, doing whatever nonsense we could think of, just to make him break out his inimitable and infectious laugh. He was an undeniable character and an authentic rock star. RIP Ace .. thanks for welcoming us newbies into the rock and roll world.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In addition to Vincent, several other KISS guitarists reflected on Frehley, too.<\/p>\n In particular, Bruce Kulick<\/a> (who was in the band between 1984 and 1996) remarked:<\/p>\n The news of Ace\u2019s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply affected me as well. He was one of a kind.\u00a0 And truly an iconic guitar player. His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten.\u00a0 Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world.\u00a0 RIP<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Likewise,\u00a0Tommy Thayer<\/a> (who joined in 2002 and remained through the end of KISS\u2019 2023 tour) put it simply and eloquently: \u201cA legend who will never be forgotten. He inspired generations of guitarists, myself included, to chase greatness. It\u2019s been an honor to walk in his footsteps. His legacy will live forever. Rest in peace, Ace.\u201d<\/p>\n You can see those tributes below:<\/p>\n As Loudwire wrote when the news broke, Frehley canceled his remaining 2025 tour dates<\/a> earlier in October, citing undefined \u201congoing medical issues\u201d related to the aforementioned fall at home. On Oct. 16 (and shortly before his death was confirmed), it was reported that he’d suffered a brain bleed and was on life support<\/a>.<\/p>\n His family quickly released a statement<\/a> about Frehley\u2019s passing, too:<\/p>\n We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace\u2019s memory will continue to live on forever!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Of course, everyone at Loudwire shares our condolences with Frehley\u2019s friends and family.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Vinnie Vincent Said About Ace Frehley<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Other Tributes to Ace Frehley<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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More About Ace Frehley\u2019s Death<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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35 Photos of Ace Frehley Through The Years<\/h2>\n