John 5 of Motley Crue recently opened up about his final moments with late guitarist Ace Frehley. He shared an emotional account on Masters of Shred.
The guitarist reflected on how Ace had been in good health before his tragic passing. He had recently visited a doctor following a fall. John 5 described Ace’s optimism about his health and his excitement for upcoming projects.
“It’s hard for me still to talk about Ace because, you know, he just passed and I talked to him not too long before he passed. And it was terrible. It’s just terrible because he was healthy,” John 5 said. “He’s like, you know, cuz after his first fall, he went to the doctor, he got checked out, and he’s like, ‘I’m healthy, Poppy.’ So he got checked out, and he was totally healthy, and he’s like, ‘I can’t believe it. I’m so healthy.’”
Ace was looking forward to what lay ahead, making the accident all the more devastating. John 5 emphasized this point in his reflection.
“He was just so excited for the got all the stuff coming up for him. And it’s just so terrible. It’s just so terrible. It was just an accident, you know, and that’s what’s I always tell people, man, you got to be careful of everything you do, you know, and it’s just it’s just awful. I’m just crushed. I just It’s still hard for me to even, you know, see his face and to talk about him. It’s just terrible,” he continued.
John 5 concluded by honoring Ace’s legacy and the deep bond they shared.
“We just loved each other and we always talked on the phone and stuff and he was just a great guy. And he’s immortal. He’s immortal. We will always keep Ace in our hearts.”
The loss of Ace Frehley, the original KISS guitarist, sent shockwaves through the music world. What began as what seemed like a minor incident in his home studio would ultimately lead to his passing just weeks later, highlighting the unpredictability of life and the importance of taking even seemingly small accidents seriously.
Ace Frehley died on October 16, 2025, due to complications from a brain bleed caused by a fall in his home studio in September 2025, Economic Times reported. The fall occurred when he slipped and hit his head on a mixing desk. What initially seemed like a minor incident would prove catastrophic. Hours after the fall, Frehley developed worsening neurological symptoms that prompted emergency hospitalization in Morristown, New Jersey.
The severity of his condition became apparent quickly. The brain bleed blocked oxygen flow to parts of his brain, creating a life-threatening injury that necessitated quick intervention through surgery, Economic Times detailed. Despite undergoing surgery to relieve the bleeding, Frehley fell into a coma and was placed on life support with a ventilator. His condition did not improve following the procedure. His family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support, with Frehley passing away in their presence.
Toxicology tests and an external examination by the New Jersey medical examiner’s office were underway to finalize the official cause of death, Blabbermouth noted. Frehley had canceled tour dates after the fall to focus on recovery but never regained consciousness. His family released a heartfelt statement mourning his death and celebrating his remarkable life and career in rock and roll history.
John 5’s poignant reflection on their final conversation underscores the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our connections with those we love. The legendary guitarist’s passing serves as a sobering reminder that accidents can happen in an instant. We should always take precautions in our daily lives—a message that John 5 himself emphasized in his tribute to his dear friend.
