RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ace Frehley, the founding lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss known to fans as ‘The Spaceman,’ died Thursday at age 74, according to multiple news reports. Frehley passed away following injuries sustained in a fall last month, which reportedly caused a brain bleed and led to him being placed on life support.
Frehley was a significant figure in hard rock, celebrated for his distinctive sound and theatrical stage presence, which included his signature smoking guitar. He was a co-founder of Kiss, whose original lineup with singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss became known worldwide for their elaborate makeup, costumes, and pyrotechnics.
The legendary band brought their “Love Gun Tour” to Rapid City, South Dakota, on Aug. 8, 1977, performing at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The 1977 show featured opening act Cheap Trick and showcased Frehley’s skills on his first lead vocal with the band on “Shock Me,” which included his guitar-solo segment. The concert set list included classics like “I Stole Your Love,” “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder,” and the show-closing “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
1977 tour set list included:
I Stole Your Love
Take Me
Ladies Room
Firehouse
Love Gu
Hooligan
Makin’ Love
Christine Sixteen
Shock Me
I Want You
Calling Dr. Love
Shout It Out Loud
God of Thunder
Rock and Roll All Nite
Encore
Detroit Rock City
Beth
Black Diamond
They returned on August 28th in 1990 to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Setlist in Rapid City:
I Stole Your Love
Deuce
Heaven’s on Fire
Crazy Crazy Nights
Black Diamond
Shout It Out Loud
Strutter
Calling Dr. Love
I Was Made for Lovin’ You
Rise to It
Fits Like a Glove
Hide Your Heart
Lick It Up
God of Thunder
Forever
Cold Gin
Tears Are Falling
I Love It Loud
Love Gun
Detroit Rock City
Encore:
I Want You
Rock and Roll All Nite
Beyond his work with Kiss, Frehley had a successful solo career. His 1978 self-titled solo album was the best-selling of the four simultaneously released Kiss solo records, featuring the hit single “New York Groove.” Guitar World magazine has ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time.
Frehley’s passing marks the first death among the four original members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted band. His influence is often cited by subsequent generations of hard rock and metal guitarists.