by The late KISS legend Ace Frehley opened up about his legacy and how he hoped to be remembered by fans in an interview featured in the book ‘Music: 30 Years Of Interviews’ by Chaunce Hayden.
Frehley reflected on his career and the impact he made both as a musician and as a person who brought joy to others in the candid conversation.
“I believe I’m going to be remembered as a straight shooter and a guy who stayed true to his craft and was respected by his peers,” he said. “I brought happiness to a lot of people. I was always the funny guy in KISS. That’s how I would like to be remembered.”
Beyond his musical legacy, Frehley also expressed pride in his influence on those struggling with addiction.
“The other thing that makes me proud is that a lot of kid come up to me and say they have been in recovery for six months or so and that it’s all because of me,” he continued. “They say if I can do it, they can do it to. That makes me feel good.”
Chaunce Hayden conducted the interview shortly before Frehley’s passing. It appears in the book ‘Music: 30 Years Of Interviews.’
Frehley’s reflections on his legacy take on added poignancy following his death on October 16, 2025, at age 74. 6ABC reported that the guitarist died after complications from a fall in his home studio in New Jersey. His family confirmed his death and expressed their devastation at the loss.
The guitarist had been dealing with health issues in the months leading up to his death. 6ABC noted that Frehley had canceled his 2025 tour dates due to ongoing medical issues prior to his passing.
Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 and became known for his stage persona “The Spaceman.” Wikipedia states that he played on the band’s first nine albums before leaving in 1982 to pursue a solo career. His contributions to rock music were recognized when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014.
The guitarist remained active in music until the end of his life. 6ABC confirmed that Frehley released his last album, 10,000 Volts, in 2024. This demonstrated his continued dedication to his craft that he spoke about in his final interview.
Frehley’s wish to be remembered as “the funny guy in KISS” who brought happiness to people and inspired others in their recovery journeys now serves as his lasting testament to fans around the world.
