Kiss founding member Ace Frehley, the rock band's original lead guitarist, has died aged 74.

He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in Morristown, New Jersey, his agent said.

He had suffered a recent fall.

A statement from the rocker's family said they were "completely devastated and heartbroken".

Image: Ace Frehley celebrates as Kiss are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Pic: Reuters

New York-born Frehley was Kiss's guitarist when they started in 1973.

The other members were Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss.

Like his bandmates, Frehley took on a comic book-style persona on stage (he was known as "Spaceman") and captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar.

The band's shows were known for fireworks, smoke, and

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