Kiss, performing without their signature makeup, delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Ace Frehley during their Las Vegas concert.

The land-based Kiss Kruise in Las Vegas kicked off with an emotional tribute to guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away last month.

Kiss kicked off their three-night Kiss Kruise: Land-locked in Vegas residency at Virgin Hotels with a moving tribute to their late guitarist Ace Frehley.

On Friday night (Nov. 14), frontman Paul Stanley invited the unmasked band and audience to honor Frehley, who passed away last month at 74 following a fall at home. Fans were given electric candles ahead of the show.

Stanley said, “Before we get started, we want to take a moment to think about someone who was at the foundation of this band. We’re talking about Ace. Let’s take a quiet moment and imagine him looking down on us – probably from [the planet] Jendell – and raise our candles in his memory.”

The acoustic outdoor performance marked Kiss’s first time playing together since their 2023 farewell tour. The band is scheduled to follow up with an electric show on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Following Frehley’s death in October, Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons released a statement: “We are devastated by Ace Frehley’s passing. He was an essential, irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative chapters of the band. He will always be part of Kiss’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and all who loved him, including fans worldwide.”

Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss added, “With a broken heart and deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. He died peacefully surrounded by his family. My wife and I were with him until the end.”