On Tuesday (October 21) in Yonkers, NY, the music world quietly gathered at the Sinatra Memorial Home on Yonkers Avenue to say goodbye to Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, reports Tampa Bay Music News Publisher, George Hudak.
Says Hudak: “The service was private, by invitation only, and not open to the public. Fortunately, I was able to speak at length with a longtime friend of Ace who attended the memorial, held on October 21 from 4 to 8 p.m.
He described the experience as ‘surreal.’ About 75 people attended, mostly musicians who had played with Ace, recorded with him, or simply hung out with him over the years. Family, close friends, and all the members of KISS were present: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. My source said, ‘Peter Criss was sobbing. He and Ace were the best of friends. While Gene and Paul were the business guys, Ace and Peter were the rock ’n’ roll party boys. They were KISS’s version of Aerosmith’s Toxic Twins.’
Because the event was kept under wraps, many friends were disappointed they hadn’t known about it. When I asked why the service was held in Yonkers, my source explained, ‘Ace was a Yonkers resident back in the 1980s, living on Bronx River Road and later in other parts of Westchester before settling into his mansion in Connecticut. Ace was a regular at several local rock clubs, including The Crazy Horse in New Rochelle, which was owned by Vinny Pastore, who later became an actor after being encouraged by Larchmont natives Matt and Kevin Dillon, who also frequented the club.’
When I asked why Sinatra Memorial Home was chosen, he added simply, ‘Sinatra works closely with Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, where Ace will be laid to rest.’
Among those in attendance were rock podcaster Eddie Trunk, KISS manager Doc McGhee, actor and stuntman Chuck Zito (a former KISS bodyguard), and guitarist Richie Scarlet. A Roman Catholic priest delivered the homily, reflecting with humor on his own lack of musical talent, saying he had once dreamed of playing guitar but ultimately “settled for the piano.”
Although not open to the public, many KISS fans posted emotional tributes and photos with Ace Frehley on Sinatra’s website memorial wall.”
Frehley was expected to join his KISS bandmates on December 7 when the band was to receive The Kennedy Center Honor. Ace Frehley, Grammy® Award–nominated and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame–inducted guitarist and iconic founding member of KISS, died at age 74. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall at his home. He was reportedly placed on life support, and the family ultimately decided to turn off his ventilator.
Frehley’s family issued the following statement: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers, and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever.”
Paul Daniel Frehley was born in The Bronx, New York, and began playing guitar at age 13. His musical influences ranged from Led Zeppelin to Cream, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, for whom he worked as a roadie at age 18. With a musical legacy spanning more than 50 years, Frehley began performing with various bands in the early 1970s until he joined Peter Criss, Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons to form the legendary rock band KISS. As lead guitarist for the band, his persona was known as “Space Ace” and later “The Spaceman.”
(Photo – Jayme Thornton)
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