Ace Frehley’s 1975 Gibson Les Paul Heads to Auction
Ace Frehley’s longtime stage guitar from the classic KISS era is heading to the block this spring, with Julien’s Auctions positioning the instrument as a centerpiece of its annual memorabilia event. The auction house has announced a two-day “Music Icons” sale in New York City that will feature more than 800 items tied to major rock and metal artists, timed to coincide with KISS’s 50th anniversary celebrations in London.
Frehley’s 1975 Gibson Les Paul is expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 when the “Music Icons” auction runs May 29–30 live from Hard Rock Cafe Times Square.
Julien’s said the sale was unveiled at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, with a touring exhibition of highlights scheduled to remain in London through April 13 before traveling to Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo on April 27, the date bidding opens online. Mr. Martin Nolan, Julien’s co-founder and executive director, said interest in music memorabilia has hit “unprecedented levels,” pointing to collector demand for instruments tied to major legacy artists.
The sale’s broader guitar lineup also includes instruments associated with artists such as Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, The Cult’s Billy Duffy and Guns N’ Roses’ Izzy Stradlin. In KISS-related context, the listing arrives amid continued scrutiny of the band’s history, including remarks revisited in our coverage of Gene Simmons calling Ace Frehley “self-destructive” in discussions about the group’s internal struggles.
Julien’s noted that registration is required to bid, with options to register online in advance or in person on the auction dates. For collectors, the estimate underscores how top-tier rock instruments—especially ones tied closely to a signature player and era—have become blue-chip pieces in the memorabilia market.
