Now 79, Criss stepped into the spotlight dressed in black, a silver cross gleaming softly under the lights. The moment was heavy with meaning. His voice, aged and sincere, carried the weight of decades shared onstage and off.
“Ace wasn’t just a bandmate,” he said, visibly moved. “He was my brother in every way that mattered. We fought, we laughed, and we made the kind of noise that shook the world. Man, I’d give anything to hear that Les Paul one more time.”
Chants of “ACE! ACE! ACE!” erupted from the audience as Criss wiped his eyes and took his place behind his legendary sparkle-green drum kit. The first song, “Hard Luck Woman,” rang out — stripped down, raw, and deeply soulful. Then came a tender rendition of “Beth,” his signature ballad. His voice, cracking with age and emotion, echoed through the theatre, leaving many in tears.
A Reunion Years in the Making
Halfway through the performance, Criss was joined by former KISS bandmates Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, and in a surprise appearance that stunned the crowd, Paul Stanley. Together, they launched into “Rock and Roll All Nite” — not with pyrotechnics and theatrics, but as a heartfelt celebration of music, memory, and brotherhood.
Behind them, the screen lit up with archival footage of Frehley’s legendary 1977 solo — his guitar erupting in sparks and smoke, a snapshot of a time when KISS ruled the world. Criss stood motionless, hand over heart.
“That’s the Ace I’ll always remember,” he said softly. “The kid from the Bronx who made the stars seem reachable. You’re still out there somewhere, brother — lighting up the sky.”
Fans and Friends Remember
The night was hailed by fans as “the spiritual closing chapter of KISS.” Hashtags like #PeterForAce and #KISSLivesForever trended worldwide. One attendee shared, “Watching Peter Criss play again — for Ace — was like witnessing history complete its circle. No makeup. No fire. Just heart.”
Earlier this month, Frehley’s passing was confirmed by his family. Former bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also paid emotional tributes at his funeral in New York, speaking of the legacy he leaves behind.
After the show, Criss released a short message online: “I didn’t want my first show in years to be under these circumstances. But Ace deserved it. We started this wild ride together — and tonight, I finished my part for him.”
A Lasting Tribute
According to Billboard, the performance will be released later this year as a live tribute album titled “Peter Criss: For Ace”, with all proceeds benefiting MusiCares — supporting musicians’ mental health and addiction recovery. A fitting tribute for two rock legends who gave their all, both on and off the stage.
In a career filled with spectacle and stadiums, this night stood apart — quiet in its reverence, thunderous in its love. For those who were there, it was more than a concert. It was goodbye. It was gratitude. It was rock and roll, stripped to its core.
Watch the Tributes
