Ace Frehley was founding member of rock band Kiss

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of American rock band Kiss, who often performed in white-and-silver face makeup and sold millions of records during his two tenures with the band - from 1973 to 1982, and then from 1996 to 2002 - died on Oct 16 in Morristown, New Jersey. He was 74.

- Gavin Edwards

A statement from his family said the cause was a recent fall at his home.

A consummate showman, like all the members of Kiss, Frehley was known for playing guitars rigged with pyrotechnic effects and for his distinctive stage persona. He was known as “the Spaceman” or “Space Ace” because of the silver stars on his face. He also designed the band’s logo, with assistance from guitarist Paul Stanley.

The other founding members of Kiss, in addition to Frehley and Stanley, 73, were drummer Peter Criss, 79, and bassist Gene Simmons, 76. Simmons was hospitalised in October after a car crash in Malibu, California.