For a group that performed in garish makeup and costumes amid explosions and fire-breathing, it’s perhaps not surprising that Kiss did not often get much respect as musicians. Yet the band’s co-founder and lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, who passed away Thursday after suffering injuries in a fall last month, was a dyed-in-the-wool musician. He was born to a family of musicians, received an electric guitar as a 13-year-old and never stopped playing — his last concert took place just over a month ago.

With Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and the Who as his stated primary influences, he began playing in bands as a teenager, joined Kiss in his early twenties, and within a couple of years was one of the most influential rock guitarists in the world, inspir

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