Ace Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, is an American rock guitarist and songwriter best known as a co-founder and original lead guitarist of KISS, where he performed as the Spaceman — a chrome-suited, silver-booted alien rock god whose image became one of the most iconic in rock and roll history. Frehley's bluesy, melodic guitar style and natural feel for hooks made him one of the most beloved guitarists of the 1970s, and his influence on generations of hard rock and heavy metal guitarists is immeasurable.
Frehley joined KISS in January 1973 after answering an ad in a music trade publication, reportedly showing up to the audition in mismatched sneakers and winning the spot anyway on the strength of his playing. His guitar work became a defining element of the KISS sound, blending raw blues feeling with hard rock muscle in a way that perfectly complemented the band's theatrical presentation. His solo on Shock Me — the first KISS song he sang lead vocals on — and his work on tracks like Detroit Rock City, Parasite, and Cold Gin showcased a guitarist with genuine instinct and feel that set him apart from the more technically polished players of the era.
In 1978, KISS released four simultaneous solo albums from each band member, and Frehley's was by far the most commercially successful — reaching number twenty-six on the Billboard 200 and producing a top-ten hit with his hard rock cover of Hello I Love You by The Kinks, which became his signature solo track. The album demonstrated that Frehley had a strong identity outside of KISS and hinted at a solo career that would eventually take shape after his departure from the band.
Frehley left KISS in 1982 amid personal struggles and was replaced by Vinnie Vincent. He launched a solo career under the Ace Frehley and Frehley's Comet banners throughout the 1980s, releasing several albums that maintained a dedicated following even as his commercial profile fluctuated. He rejoined KISS for the massively successful 1996 reunion tour and the accompanying studio album Psycho Circus (1998) before departing again in 2002. His 2009 solo album Anomaly debuted at number twenty-seven on the Billboard 200, his highest solo chart position in decades, and confirmed that his fanbase had never lost faith. Frehley has continued recording and touring as a solo artist, and his place as one of rock's most distinctive and influential guitarists remains firmly secured.