The founding Kiss member, famous for his role in the glam rock band Kiss, passed away due to impact trauma received in a accidental tumble earlier this year, according to medical examiner findings.
Frehley died peacefully on 16 October in the presence of relatives in Morristown, a few weeks post-accident, his representative reported.
Coroner Rules Death an Unintentional Event
The Morris county forensic department ascertained that his demise was not deliberate. The report noted that the musician, aged 74, experienced broken facial bones close to the ocular region and his ear, along with discoloration on his left abdomen and thigh area, as well as his right hip and upper thigh.
"Considering all of his extraordinary accomplishments, the remembrance of him will continue to live on for all time!" his relatives' message expressed.
The Group and Its Legendary Impact
Kiss, celebrated for popular tracks like their anthem and another classic, were known for their elaborate performances, featuring fire and stage blood spewing from the faces of musicians adorned with protective gear, elevated footwear, false hair and characteristic monochrome makeup.
The band's founding members included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the first death among the four founding members.
His Musical Legacy
The musician motivated a generation of guitarists and contributed to Kiss’s first nine albums. His passing was announced by his family last month, with his loved ones stating they were as a group "completely devastated and mournful" and the loss difficult to process.
The artists adopted the identities of fictional personas – Ace was known as his alter ego and the Spaceman. The New York-born artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer frequently used pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow and produce flares.
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Originally named Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a artistic household and started learning the instrument at age 13. Prior to his Kiss tenure, he performed with local bands around New York City and worked as a crew member for the legendary guitarist at age 18.
Kiss were especially popular in the 1970s era, selling tens of millions releases and authorizing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel.
