In the wake of the heartbreaking news that KISS founding guitarist Ace Frehley has died aged 74, fellow co-founder Gene Simmons has shared a touching statement reflecting on Ace’s impact, their shared legacy, and an upcoming honour that will celebrate the band’s monumental career.
💔 “Our Hearts Are Broken” — Gene Simmons Pays Tribute to the Spaceman
Gene Simmons took to social media to express his sorrow, calling Ace a “true rock soldier” and highlighting the deep connection Frehley shared with fans across generations.
“Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!” — Gene Simmons
It’s a heartfelt reflection from one of rock’s most recognisable frontmen, offering both sorrow and pride for a man who helped define one of music’s most outrageous and influential acts.
🎖️ KISS To Be Honoured at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors
In a bittersweet twist of fate, KISS will be among the artists receiving recognition at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors — a prestigious event celebrating lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
The ceremony is set to tape on December 7, 2025, and will air on December 23. It’s an occasion that would have seen Ace Frehley standing alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and other icons of rock to celebrate nearly five decades of face paint, pyro, and pure rock theatre.
Now, that celebration will carry an added emotional weight, honouring not just KISS as a band but Ace’s trailblazing role in shaping their sound and image.
🧨 A Legacy Written in Flames and Feedback
Ace Frehley wasn’t just a guitarist — he was a cultural spark plug. From his smoking Les Paul and space-age persona to the thunderous solos that defined early KISS anthems like “Shock Me,” “Cold Gin,” and “Strange Ways,” Ace embodied the wild heart of rock ’n’ roll.
Even through the decades of turbulence, breakups, and reunions, his influence never dimmed. Every KISS fan — old or new — knows the rush of seeing that Spaceman logo or hearing those unmistakable licks that launched thousands of kids into air-guitar heaven.
As Simmons’ words echo through the rock world, fans are already calling for a special Ace Frehley tribute to be included in KISS’s Kennedy Center segment — a fitting salute to the man who helped send the band into orbit.
⚡ “Long May His Legacy Live On”
With the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors, KISS will finally take their place among rock’s most celebrated legends — a moment that’s sure to be both explosive and emotional.
And though Ace Frehley won’t be there in person, his spirit — that cosmic blend of swagger, humour, and riff-fuelled chaos — will absolutely be front and centre.
Rest easy, Spaceman. The universe just got a little louder.
📰 Source: Consequence.net, Variety.com
🎸 Written for The Riff Report Blog
💥 @theriffreportuk
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘