by Tommy Thayer paid tribute to the late Ace Frehley with a heartfelt message he posted on Instagram. This comes despite a past altercation between the two KISS guitarists.
Thayer’s statement honored Frehley’s lasting impact on rock music and his personal influence.
“A legend who will never be forgotten,” Thayer said. “He inspired generations of guitarists, myself included, to chase greatness. It’s been an honor to walk in his footsteps. His legacy will live forever. Rest in peace, Ace.”
The tribute comes years after a well-known incident between the two musicians.
In 2018, Frehley recounted punching Thayer during a live conversation at Hollywood’s Musicians Institute. He explained that the band had a strict rule against women in the dressing room during preparation. However, he noticed this rule wasn’t enforced when wives of other band members visited.
“What happened was, we had an ongoing rule on tour that there’s no women allowed in the dressing room,” Frehley explained. “I had a girlfriend with me — a model from Canada, and, of course, she always had to wait outside. When Shannon and Paul’s wife came on tour, they just pranced into the dressing room. I let it go — I didn’t make a big deal out of it.”
Frehley described what happened on the final day of their Australian tour.
“This is the last day of the tour in Australia. Everybody has left the dressing room,” he continued. “They had all split, so my girlfriend was standing outside, and I said, ‘Hey, honey, come on in. Nobody’s here.’ Five minutes later, Tommy Thayer comes walking in and goes, ‘Ace, you know the rule — no women in the dressing room.’ I go, ‘There’s nobody here. It’s the end of the tour.’ He started being authoritative with me, so I gave him a shot. I got aggravated. I guess the Bronx boy in me came out.”
Despite their rocky history, Thayer’s tribute reflects respect for Frehley’s contributions to rock music and the legacy he leaves behind.
Frehley’s death marks a significant loss for the rock community. ABC News reported that the founding guitarist of KISS died on October 16, 2025, at age 74. His death was due to complications from a recent fall at his home studio in Morristown, New Jersey. The fall led to a brain bleed and subsequent medical issues that ultimately proved fatal.
Live for Live Music noted that Frehley had been hospitalized and on life support before passing away peacefully, surrounded by family. His family released a statement expressing devastation and recalling his kindness and achievements throughout his legendary career.
Earlier in 2025, Frehley had canceled his tour dates due to ongoing medical problems linked to the fall. Best Classic Bands highlighted that his passing marks the first death of an original KISS member. This makes it a historic and somber moment for the band’s legacy.
Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 and became known for his iconic “Spaceman” persona on stage. He had a celebrated career both with KISS and through his solo projects. He inspired countless guitarists around the world with his innovative playing style and stage presence.
