In a moving and emotional farewell, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley paid tribute to their former bandmate and lifelong friend Ace Frehley during a private funeral service held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on Saturday.

Frehley, the legendary original lead guitarist of KISS, passed away last week at the age of 74 after what his family described as “a brief illness.” Known worldwide as the “Spaceman,” Frehley’s fiery solos, larger-than-life persona, and unmistakable stage presence helped shape one of the most iconic rock bands in history.

Inside the cathedral, beneath stained glass and candlelight, Simmons and Stanley stood side by side — two men who had shared decades of music, mayhem, and memories with the late guitarist.

“Ace wasn’t just a guitarist,” Simmons began, his deep voice trembling slightly. “He was lightning in human form. Every note he played felt like it came from the stars — fitting for a man who called himself the Spaceman. He reminded us that rock ’n’ roll wasn’t meant to be perfect — it was meant to be alive.”

Stanley, visibly emotional, followed with a heartfelt speech that balanced humor with tenderness. “We didn’t always agree — anyone who knows KISS knows that,” he said, prompting a soft laugh from the crowd. “But when Ace walked in with that Les Paul slung low and that mischievous grin, you knew something electric was about to happen. He made chaos sound beautiful.”

The service featured a special performance by Peter Criss, the band’s original drummer, who performed a tender acoustic rendition of “Beth”. As Criss finished, the church filled with the sound of Frehley’s solo hit “New York Groove,” played over a video montage of his career — from the early KISS club days to sold-out stadiums and their 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

“Ace was the heartbeat of our chaos,” Stanley said softly as images of Frehley filled the screen. “He gave rock ’n’ roll permission to be weird, to be wild, to be fun. Without him, there would be no KISS as the world knows it.”

Outside, hundreds of fans gathered in KISS makeup, holding candles and signs that read “Farewell, Spaceman” and “We’ll Meet You in the Stars.” Many wept as Simmons and Stanley emerged from the cathedral, arm in arm.

“We had our battles, sure,” Simmons told reporters. “But Ace was family. Bands are strange families — loud, dysfunctional, but full of love. Today, we said goodbye to a brother.”

According to Rolling Stone, Frehley had been working on a sequel to his memoir before his death, reflecting on his music, struggles, and redemption. Stanley hinted that KISS plans a global tribute concert in Frehley’s honor later this year.

“Ace taught us something simple,” Stanley concluded inside the church. “You can come from nothing, plug in a guitar, and change the world. And he did.”