Drummer and lead vocalist Scot Coogan, who served as the longest-running member of Ace Frehley‘s solo band since 2006, has officially broken his silence following the tragic passing of the iconic Kiss guitarist. In a powerful new message, the musician clarified his stance on tribute performances and protecting his late friend’s legacy.
This heartfelt tribute highlights a level of loyalty that goes way beyond typical industry connections. By sharing that Ace Frehley was family, even serving as the best man at his wedding, Scot Coogan is drawing a clear line in the sand.
His refusal to cash in on the guitarist’s memory, choosing instead to donate any related earnings to animal charities, is a powerful reminder of the human being behind the “Space Ace” persona. Rather than jumping at a commercial opportunity, his approach is about mourning with dignity.
Scot Coogan‘s full statement is as follows:
“I have remained silent intentionally — to give my crew, management, and most importantly Ace‘s family the time and respect they deserve to grieve without noise, speculation, or opportunism.”
“I personally feel it is far too soon to perform Ace‘s music, and I have absolutely no interest in profiting from his name, likeness, or legacy.”
“Working with Ace since 2006 was one of the greatest honors of my life. We shared the stage on countless tours and collaborated on multiple recordings, but our connection went much deeper than music. Ace walked my wife down the aisle and stood beside me as my best man. He wasn’t just someone I worked with — he was family. And because he was family, I will always protect and honor his legacy. Any money that comes to me connected to Ace‘s name, music, or likeness will be donated to an animal charity in his honor.”
“In the meantime, I’ve continued working — recording in Los Angeles, performing with my Led Zeppelin tribute project, and focusing on building my own music and identity.”
“When the time comes to honor Ace‘s contributions to rock and roll, it will not be rushed, and it will not be exploited. It will be done the only way that matters — with dignity, respect, and real love.”
This decisive message arrives just weeks after a separate group of former backing musicians announced their own tribute plans. The lineup from the guitarist’s 2018 Australian tour, featuring bassist Philip Shouse, guitarists Ryan Spencer Cook and Jeremy Asbrock, alongside drummer Christopher Williams, recently revealed five Australian tribute tour dates. The planned setlists will feature the classic 1978 solo album, Ace Frehley, in its entirety, mixed with staple Kiss hits.
2026 Australian Tribute Tour Dates:
- Sep. 11 – Perth @ Rosemount
- Sep. 12 – Adelaide @ Lion Arts Factory
- Sep. 17 – Brisbane @ Crowbar
- Sep. 18 – Sydney @ Crowbar
- Sep. 19 – Melbourne @ Max Watts
That specific quartet originally collaborated with Gene Simmons under the Gene Simmons Band moniker. Following that stint, they were recruited to back the “Spaceman” while Gene Simmons returned to Kiss to prepare for the massive “End Of The Road” farewell tour. While Jeremy Asbrock, Ryan Spencer Cook, and Philip Shouse accepted the gig, Christopher Williams was forced to decline due to scheduling conflicts with the German heavy metal outfit Accept.
The legendary founding Kiss guitarist passed away last October at the age of 74. According to an official report from the Morris County Medical Examiner, the musician’s death was ruled an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma sustained from a fall. A CT scan showed multiple contusions, skull fractures, and a subdural hematoma, while the report also indicated he had suffered a stroke. Additional bruising was noted on his hip, thigh, and abdomen. A separate toxicology report remains unreleased.
Longtime manager John Ostrosky previously confirmed to the New York Post that the heavy metal icon was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx on October 22, following a private memorial service in Yonkers, New York.
