Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons of the rock and roll band Kiss pose for a portrait session in January 1975 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)KISS founding guitarist Ace Frehley is being remembered by his former bandmates, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss.Stanley and Simmons released a joint statement following the news of Frehley’s Thursday death at age 74, sharing that they "are devastated" by Ace's passing. "He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history," they said. "He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy."They added that their thoughts were with Ace’s wife Jeanette Frehley, his daughter Monique Frehley, "and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world."Criss remembered Frehley in a post on his website, writing, "With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away," and sharing that he and his wife "were with him to the end.""I love you my brother," he continued. "As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace's solo career, Ace influenced and touch[ed] the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army."Finally, he added, "To the KISS Army and Ace's Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all... Broken..."KISS was formed in New York City in 1973, with Frehley on lead guitar and vocals, Stanley on vocals and rhythm guitar, Simmons on vocals and bass, and Criss on drums and vocals. Frehley left the group in 1982 but rejoined them in 1996. He then left again in 2002, after KISS’ first farewell tour. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Singer/guitarist Ace Frehley performs at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre on October 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images)Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist for the rock band KISS, has died at age 74.His death was confirmed in a statement from his family."We are completely devastated and heartbroken," the statement read. "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 statement went on to say, "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!"Frehley, whose costumed stage persona with the band was The Spaceman, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014.The news comes just weeks after Frehley canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates “due to some ongoing medical issues.”Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley, co-founded KISS with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss in New York City in 1973. They released their self-titled debut in 1974 and began to gain a following thanks to their live shows, which included face paint, wild stage outfits and plenty of pyrotechnics.Their breakthrough came after the release of 1975’s Alive!, a double live album that featured live recordings from their first three records. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard chart and sold over 9 million copies worldwide.KISS went on to become one of the bestselling bands of all time.Frehley left the group in 1982 but rejoined them in 1996. He then left again in 2002, after KISS’ first farewell tour.Over the years he had a contentious relationship with his former bandmates. He did not participate in KISS' final End of the Road world tour, which wrapped in New York in 2023, and claimed that he had not been invited to take part. Simmons contended Frehley was always welcome to join them.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock group Queen performs at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London, 13th July 1985. The concert raised funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. (Photo by Jacques Langevin/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)Freddie Mercury’s lyrics will be the subject of a new book coming out in the fall of 2026.A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddy Mercury, being released by Harper Collins, is described as “the definitive creative record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.” It features unseen material the Queen frontman left his good friend Mary Austin when he passed away in 1991.According to the description, the book features material from Mercury's notebooks, some of which has never been published before. That includes some of his earliest works, doodles and songs that have never been recorded, as well as alternative lyrics and abandoned verses to Queen’s iconic tune “Bohemian Rhapsody” and multiple drafts of “Don’t Stop me Now.”The book also contains some previously unseen illustrated photographs taken from Mercury's personal collection, with Austin also contributing stories, memories and anecdotes about the singer.A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddy Mercury is scheduled to be released on Sept. 1, four days ahead of what would have been Mercury's 80th birthday. Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Boy George of Culture Club performs onstage during Uptown Festival at Blackheath Common on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)Hot on the heels of announcing a new Las Vegas residency, Boy George & Culture Club have announced dates for a new U.S. tour.The trek, Culture Club’s first U.S. tour since 2023, was revealed on the group’s Instagram page. Dates kick off Feb. 18 in Tampa, Florida, and wrap March 29 in Lemoore, California.The dates include the already announced six-show Vegas residency at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, running March 18-28.A ticket presale is open now, with tickets going on sale to the general public Friday.A complete list of dates can be found at BoyGeorgeandCultureClub.com.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.