The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
OCT 16: Sadly today, Ace Frehley has passed away at age 74. Ace Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, was best known as the original lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band KISS. 
Known for his “Spaceman” persona, Frehley brought a mix of raw talent, swagger, and outer-space mystique to the group’s theatrical image. His explosive guitar solos, creative use of effects, and charismatic stage presence helped define KISS’s signature sound and visual identity in the 1970s.
Frehley joined KISS in 1973 after answering a newspaper ad placed by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. His playing and songwriting quickly became integral to the band’s rise. He contributed standout tracks such as “Shock Me,” “Cold Gin,” and “Rocket Ride,” and his guitar work on songs like “Detroit Rock City” became iconic. In 1978, his self-titled solo album—released alongside solo projects from each band member—was the most successful of the four, featuring the hit “New York Groove.”
After leaving KISS in 1982, Frehley launched a solo career with his band Frehley’s Comet, blending melodic hooks with hard-edged rock. He rejoined KISS for their 1996 reunion tour and the subsequent “Psycho Circus” album before departing again in the early 2000s.
In later years, Frehley continued to record acclaimed solo albums like Anomaly (2009) and Spaceman (2018), proving his enduring creativity and influence. Revered by fans and fellow musicians alike, Ace Frehley will remain one of rock’s most distinctive and beloved guitar heroes. RIP
Photo: Tilly antoine [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en]
OCT 25: Happy birthday to Jon Anderson! His artistic legacy resides at the center of progressive rock. Born on October 25, 1944, in Accrington, England, Anderson developed an early fascination with music and performance, singing in local bands before moving to London in the late 1960s to pursue a professional career. His life changed significantly in 1968 when he co-founded the band Yes with bassist Chris Squire. Anderson’s ethereal tenor voice, mystical lyrical concepts, and ambitious musical vision helped define the group’s signature sound.
Throughout the 1970s, Yes achieved major commercial and critical success with albums such as Fragile and Close to the Edge. The band embraced long-form compositions, complex arrangements, and spiritual themes that elevated progressive rock into a sophisticated art form. Anderson’s collaborative work with keyboardist Rick Wakeman and guitarist Steve Howe proved especially influential.
Anderson left Yes several times over the decades due to creative differences and health-related issues, although his returning presence consistently revitalized the group’s direction. Outside Yes, he pursued extensive solo projects, blending world music, new age influences, and electronic experimentation. His 1980s collaboration with Vangelis produced a series of acclaimed releases that showcased his melodic instincts within more accessible frameworks.
Jon Anderson’s career reflects persistent creativity and visionary musical identity. His contributions continue to inspire progressive musicians and listeners who value imagination and transcendence in popular music.
Photo: Sven Mandel [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en] cropped
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