The surviving members of KISS paid tribute to their late bandmate Ace Frehley during the opening performance of their three-day KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas on Friday (Nov. 14).
Before launching into the “unmasked” set, Paul Stanley shared heartfelt words about the late Spaceman, who died at age 74 in October.
“Obviously, before we get going — and we’re going to have an awesome time — we just wanted to take a moment to think about about somebody who was at the foundation of this band. And we’re talking about Ace,” Stanley told the crowd.
“We certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about. Why don’t we take a moment, little quiet, and think about him looking down on us — from Jendell, probably — and let’s have a moment for Ace.”
After a brief silent tribute, the audience outside Virgin Hotels chanted ‘Ace! Ace! Ace!’ as Stanley encouraged fans to hold up electric candles in honor of their former bandmate.
The “unmasked” concert marked KISS’ first show since Frehley’s passing on Oct. 16, and their first performance since wrapping their End of the Road Tour with a two-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in December 2023. The “Kiss Army Storms Vegas” event was first announced in March.
Frehley, the band’s co-founder and iconic guitarist, died suddenly last month after suffering injuries from an accidental fall.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” the musician’s family said in a statement announcing his death. “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.”
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