KISS paid tribute to the late Ace Frehley at their first “unmasked” show on the ‘KISS Kruise’ last night – watch footage of the moment below.
The guitarist and founding member of the group died in Morristown, New Jersey, on October 16. He was 74 years old.
A statement shared at the time revealed that Ace – also known as Spaceman – died “peacefully surrounded by family” following “a recent fall at his home”. An investigation was then launched into Frehley’s death, and the results of a medical examination have since been shared, ruling his death an accident.
Following news of his passing, KISS played their first show in nearly two years on Friday (November 14), with the outdoor unplugged gig launching the ‘Kiss Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas’ weekend, marking the first time the veteran rockers have joined forces onstage since 2023’s farewell tour.
Ahead of the show, electric candles were handed out to the audience, and upon taking the stage, Paul Stanley asked the crowd to lift them in the air and take a moment to “think about somebody who is at the foundation of this band”.
“We’re talking about Ace,” he said. “We certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about. Why don’t we take a moment [and] think about him looking down on us” from the fictional planet “Jendell, probably”, which Ace often referred to as his home.
“Let’s have a moment for Ace.”
The Kiss Kruise in Las Vegas did an amazing job paying tribute to Ace pic.twitter.com/vMcrf6NbzG
— Alyson (@Abehan717) November 14, 2025
KISS played:
‘Comin’ Home’
‘See You Tonite’
‘A World Without Heroes’
‘Hard Luck Woman’
‘Christine Sixteen’
‘Nothin’ to Lose’
‘Goin’ Blind’
‘Hide Your Heart’
‘Plaster Caster’
‘Beth’
‘Love Her All I Can’
The guitarist co-founded KISS in 1973 with singer Paul Stanley, bassist and part-time singer Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. After nearly a decade, Frehley had left the band to pursue a solo career, coupled with his struggles with substance abuse and rising tension within the band about their direction.
In the years following his exit from KISS, Frehley formed a new band, Frehley’s Comet, and he would rejoin KISS for their reunion in 1996 – staying with them until 2002. He did not join them for their farewell world tour in 2022. Among the songs Ace helped write for KISS were classics like ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’, ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’, ‘Detroit Rock City’, ‘Love Gun’ and more.
Among the names names who have paid tribute to Frehley include Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Nile Rodgers, Steve Vai, John 5, Rush, Alice Cooper, and more.
Following Frehley’s passing, a Change.org petition was launched in an effort to convince NASA to award the guitarist with honorary astronaut status. The petition – started by a fan named Kathryn – has since received over 3,000 signatures and counting.
