In a rare and deeply emotional reunion, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, founding members of KISS, came together to pay their final respects to their late bandmate Ace Frehley, who passed away last week at the age of 74.
The private funeral, held in New York City, gathered family, close friends, and music legends who came to honor the life and legacy of the Spaceman — the man whose explosive guitar riffs helped define one of the greatest rock bands in history.
Gene Simmons, dressed in a formal black suit, was seen fighting back tears as he stepped up to the podium. His voice cracked as he spoke:
“Ace was fire and freedom. We went through hell together and built something that will outlive us all. He wasn’t perfect — none of us were — but he was real. And that’s what made him unforgettable.”
Moments later, Paul Stanley took the stage, visibly emotional. His words were filled with gratitude and grief as he wiped tears from his eyes:
“When I think of Ace, I think of the spark that started it all. His guitar spoke louder than words, and his spirit lit up every room. We may have gone our separate ways, but on stage, we were brothers — and that’s how I’ll always remember him.”
The two bandmates stood side by side for a brief moment, placing a white rose each upon Ace’s coffin. As the soft instrumental of “Rock and Roll All Nite” echoed through the chapel, attendees described the moment as “surreal” and “deeply moving.”
The ceremony closed with a silent tribute — three spotlights illuminating the stage where the original four KISS members once stood together. It was a farewell that transcended music, marking the end of an era and the lasting bond of a band that changed rock forever.