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Key Points KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died at 74, sparking mourning in the music world. Nuno Bettencourt praised Frehley's "memorable riffs, memorable solos" and lasting musical influence. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley said they were "devastated" by Frehley's passing. The music world and beyond are in mourning after the death of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Nuno Bettencourt, best known as the guitarist from the iconic ’90s rock band Extreme, is the latest to pay his respects. On Friday, Oct. 17, just one day after Frehley’s death, Bettencourt spoke about the KISS guitarist on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk. “I don’t think any of us really prepare to pass away or prepare for people to go,” the Extreme guitarist began (via Blabbermouth). “Some religions, like Buddhists do, which I think is a good thing. But the reason I say this is because it is sad when somebody pass…Ozzy and now Ace, especially. But, man, think about it for a second. How incredible, what a miracle it’s been a run that Ace has had?” 🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Bettencourt continued, “I hope I get to the age of 74, you know what I mean? And to do what he’s done and to party like he partied and to be able to do the music and to contribute the music that he’s gonna have that’s gonna live decades and centuries after he’s gone, it’s quite a run, man. It’s a great run.” After Eddie Trunk asked Bettencourt how Frehley inspired him, he shared what made the late KISS guitarist so special. Bettencourt began by explaining Frehley’s “simplexity” style, where he said the KISS guitarist would play “perfect solos” that were “tasty, memorable things that just happen in songs, which is a lot more difficult to do than the complex stuff.” He continued, “I know that sounds crazy. Everybody thinks you play technical and you play fast, and that’s harder. It isn’t. It takes a lot more courage and it takes a lot more style to kind of tone it down and play what’s right for the song, and that’s what Ace did in KISS — memorable riffs, memorable solos.” Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram The Extreme guitarist went on to talk about how that influenced him as a child. He said, “What they did really almost shaped your childhood, not just musically, but culturally. And you don’t realize the impact until somebody passes away and you kind of reflect and you’re, like, ‘Wow.'” Frehley died on Thursday, Oct. 16. News of the KISS guitarist’s death came just hours after TMZ reported that the 74-year-old rock icon was on life support with a brain bleed. Just hours after his death, two of the surviving KISS members spoke out, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley issuing a statement sharing how “devastated” they were over the loss.
