Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has shared a message to pay tribute to late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley on the first anniversary of his death, posted on his X account.
Kulick opened up about the relationship he had with Frehley and the mutual respect they shared as guitarists in the band.
“One year ago we lost Ace Frehley, and he’s still deeply missed by his fans and by me,” Bruce Kulick said. “Ace and I always shared a special mutual respect.”
“There was never any competition between us, just an appreciation for each other’s talents. I always admired his unique style and his legacy as KISS’s original guitarist.”
“Knowing that Ace respected my playing, and wasn’t shy about saying so, was one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive. I’ll always cherish that. Miss you, Ace. RIP.”
Kulick made the remarks on social media on the first anniversary of Frehley’s death. The tribute reflects the connection between the two guitarists who played together in KISS during different eras of the band.
Frehley passed away on October 16, 2024, following a fall at his home in New Jersey. He was the co-founder of KISS and served as the band’s lead guitarist from its formation in 1973 until his departure in 1982, during which time he played on eight studio albums and two live albums. After leaving KISS, Frehley rejoined the band in 1996 for a reunion tour and remained with them until 2002. As a member of KISS, Frehley performed under the costumed stage persona known as The Spaceman and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2014.
Kulick spent 12 years as the lead guitarist in KISS, joining the band in September 1984 and departing in 1996. He replaced Mark St. John as the band’s guitarist during a period when KISS performed without makeup or costumes. During his tenure, Kulick performed Frehley’s solos and became increasingly aware of the depth and uniqueness of Frehley’s approach to guitar playing.
Kulick has publicly expressed his admiration for Frehley as a musician. According to Kulick, Frehley was a one-of-a-kind and truly iconic guitar player whose role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten. Kulick recognized that Frehley’s influence extended far beyond KISS, affecting millions of guitarists around the world. The mutual respect between the two guitarists reflected their different approaches to the instrument and the band’s evolving sound across different eras.
