ACE FREHLEY's Longtime Drummer/Vocalist SCOT COOGAN Says He Has 'No Interest' In Profiting From Late KISS Legend's 'Name, Likeness Or Legacy'

Scot Coogan, Ace Frehley's longest-serving solo-band drummer and lead vocalist since 2006, has issued the following statement regarding his recent public silence and his intentions moving forward: "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."

Scot's statement comes just weeks after the four musicians Ace Frehley handpicked for his Australian tour in 2018 — Philip Shouse on bass, Ryan Spencer Cook on guitar/vocals, Jeremy Asbrock on guitar/vocals, and Christopher Williams on drums — announced that they would honor the legendary original KISS guitarist by playing a series of shows where they will perform Frehley's 1978 solo album in full, along with KISS classics.

In 2018, Asbrock, Cook, Shouse and Williams performed with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons as the GENE SIMMONS BAND. The foursome were then invited to join Ace's band as Simmons was scheduled to return to KISS to prepare for the "End Of The Road" tour. Asbrock, Cook and Shouse accepted the invitation, but Willams could not do so due to a prior commitment with the German metal band ACCEPT.

Frehley passed away last October at the age of 74. The founding KISS guitarist died of blunt-trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, the Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in a report. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

According to the report, a CT scan of Frehley's head revealed multiple contusions, bone fractures to the back of his skull, hemorrhages, and a subdural hematoma (the type of bleeding that occurs in a person's brain after a head injury). Additional bruises were found on the musician's hip, thigh, and abdomen. The report also noted that Frehley had suffered a stroke.

A separate toxicology report on Frehley's blood at the time of his death has not been released.

Frehley's longtime manager John Ostrosky confirmed to the New York Post that the late KISS icon was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.

The legendary musician was buried on October 22 following a private memorial on October 21 at Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York.