The funeral of Ace Frehley, the iconic, uncompromising guitarist and co-founder of KISS, was always destined to be an event of major significance for the rock community. However, the private ceremony in Morristown, New Jersey, following his death at the age of 74 on October 16, 2025, transcended a simple memorial. It became the setting for one of the most unexpected and poignant moments in rock history, a final, tense punctuation mark on one of the genre’s most notorious and long-running feuds.

Among the grieving family, friends, and former associates gathered to mourn the “Spaceman,” the air was heavy not just with sorrow, but with the complicated legacy of the man who had always charted his own course. But when one particular figure entered the room, the collective breath of the mourners seemed to catch, and a sudden, palpable tension surged through the solemn atmosphere.

The guest who shocked everyone was none other than Gene Simmons, the towering figure known as “The Demon,” and the other half of the volatile nucleus that defined KISS. Simmons’ presence was confirmed to be the only surprise appearance, a solitary, uninvited arrival that instantly turned a moment of grief into a dramatic, complex spectacle. For nearly 50 years, the relationship between Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons had been a whirlwind of dazzling creative synergy and acrimonious, public conflict, fueled by disputes over rights, contracts, and artistic direction. Simmons walking into Frehley’s funeral was not just an attendance; it was the final, unscripted act in a lifelong drama.

Decades of Conflict and a Final Olive Branch

The decades-long relationship between Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons was famously fraught. From the earliest days of KISS, Frehley’s independent, outspoken nature clashed with the highly controlled corporate structure favored by Simmons and Paul Stanley. The transcript of the event emphasized that this assertiveness created both his unique success and the enduring conflicts that plagued his career. Decisions about albums, tour schedules, and image rights frequently created public tensions between the members, with the disputes often played out in the media and in the courts. Simmons himself once summarized the friction: “Ace always did things his own way and that created both strength and tension in all our projects.”

This history of bitter antagonism is what made Simmons’ appearance so shocking, and his subsequent words so powerful. In a brief, emotionally charged eulogy, Simmons acknowledged the tension and the arguments they’d had over the years. Yet, he focused on the core quality he seemed to both respect and resent in Ace: his unyielding spirit.

“Ace was always an unpredictable person, but his talent and honesty overcame everything,” Simmons stated to the stunned congregation. He added, “We argued, we got angry, but Ace always kept the music at the center of everything. I learned a lot from how he stuck to himself.” Perhaps the most telling quote, one quickly picked up by journalists as a testament to the complex depth of their connection, was his ultimate admission: “Ace never compromised his music or himself and that’s what made him who he is and that’s what I’ve always respected.”

These words, delivered at such a moment, served as a final, public acknowledgment of Frehley’s defining role in the band’s legacy and, perhaps, the ultimate concession to the uncompromising nature that Simmons had so often fought against. The funeral, therefore, became not just a memorial, but a synthesis of the legacy, the relationships, and the deep-seated, persistent conflicts that had defined Ace’s entire career.

The Uncompromising Spaceman’s Voice

The tributes paid by other key figures in Frehley’s life only underscored his unique character. Peter Criss, former KISS drummer and a longtime ally of Ace, was present to attest to their long-standing relationship. Criss emphasized Ace’s fiercely independent nature. “Ace always did things his way. He was independent and outspoken. That sometimes caused tension, but it was the most important part of his career.”

The importance of his music and family was eloquently conveyed by his daughter, Monnique Frehley. Giving an emotional speech, she reflected on his life’s mission: “My father lived and worked his own way. Music was his life and what he left behind for all of us.” Longtime manager Larry Libman mirrored this sentiment, describing Frehley as a “determined artist” who “always wanted things his own way, and I respect that.” These testimonials painted a coherent picture of a man who prioritised his personal creative vision over commercial pressure, a principle that created both controversy and a unique artistic fingerprint.

Frehley’s solo career, launched alongside his role in KISS and later with Frehley’s Comet in the 1980s, was the ultimate embodiment of this independence. Hits like “New York Groove,” along with later critically acclaimed albums such as Spaceman and the 2024 release, 10,000 Volts, showcased a blend of guitar virtuosity and a distinct personal style. His decision to pursue his own projects, often leading him to turn down KISS tours, was a direct assertion of his artistic identity and a central point of contention with his former bandmates. His control extended even to his persona; while he retained the iconic “Spaceman” image, he controlled its usage, ensuring it fit his personal brand, separate from the collective entity of KISS. “Every album I make is my own. No one else decides for me,” he once declared.

Final Chapters and a Tragic End

Ace Frehley’s tenacity extended beyond his professional life. Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, he carried an independent and assertive personality from a young age. While he faced many personal struggles throughout his life, including highly publicised battles with alcohol and drug addiction, he successfully overcame them, maintaining a stable lifestyle that allowed him to focus on his music in later years. This determination and personal strength underpinned his final artistic period.

Tragically, his final creative push was cut short by a debilitating health crisis. In September 2025, while working in the studio, Ace suffered an accident resulting in a brain hemorrhage, an event that required life support and forced the cancellation of all his fall and winter tours. Despite the decline in his health, his commitment to his craft remained absolute. Manager Larry Libman confirmed that even during his recovery, Ace maintained contact with his production teams to complete unfinished musical projects.

His last album, 10,000 Volts, was a testament to his determination, released amidst his health struggles and featuring interviews where he expressed his relentless passion. “Music is what gets me through everything,” he said of the project. “Each record is the last of me.”

Ace Frehley passed away shortly after this battle, succumbing to the cerebral hemorrhage in Morristown. His life, marked by the triumph of musical talent over personal adversity and professional conflict, ended where his passion lay—focused on creating and performing on his own terms.

The sight of Gene Simmons standing alone at the funeral, paying tribute to the unyielding spirit of his adversary and former partner, offered a powerful conclusion to the life of the “Spaceman.” It was a moment of stark, raw honesty, acknowledging that the conflicts had never been about talent, but about the clash of two enormous, uncompromising wills. In that brief, tense moment, the feud faded, leaving behind only the legacy of the music they created together and the profound, enduring truth that Ace Frehley’s talent and integrity had indeed “overcome everything.” His life was a testament to the power of artistic self-determination, a philosophy he embodied until his very last chord.