Karl Cochran, a longtime collaborator with KISS was killed in a shock car crash on February 19.
Cochran, 61, was the passenger in a car driven by his 90-year-old mother, Arna Cochran.
The car crashed into a tree and Cochran was ejected from the vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
KISS shared a tribute to the ‘vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire’ on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
‘Our dear friend Karl Cochran was killed in a car accident on Feb. 19th. Karl was a vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire who suffered a massive stroke but never stopped fighting to make his way back.
‘He was loved by our fans worldwide through his appearances worldwide and was a constant inspiration as our guest on our KISS Kruises. Our deep condolences to Geri and family.’
Karl Cochran, a longtime collaborator with KISS was killed in a shock car crash on February 19
Cochran worked with many musical artists and taught guitar lessons over the years and the tributes from those whose lives he touched poured in.
His friend Steve Dee shared a photo of Karl in his element – holding a guitar on stage.
He wrote: ‘Sad news today, I found out my old friend Karl Cochran passed away today.
‘I have not seen Karl in some time and I will always regret that as he played such a vital role in my early music career and life,’ Dee wrote.
‘I was a kid when I met Karl and he was already a legendary guitarist and became a good friend and mentor for several years.’
Dee went on to write about memories he had from his mid 20s, especially the time he got to hang out with him and Ace Frehley’s band for soundcheck.
He was instrumental in making me the guitar player I was at that time and pushed me to go on tour when I had the chance. I don’t have the words, Just shock and sadness. All I can say is RIP Karl, heaven just got another great musician.’
KISS’s Bruce Kuilck also shared a poignant post in Cochran’s memory, writing, ‘The tragic news of Karl Cochran’s death in a car accident, was gut wrenching to hear.
Cochran, 61, was the passenger in a car driven by his 90-year-old mother, Arna Cochran
The car crashed into a tree and Cochran was ejected from the vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries
KISS shared a tribute to the ‘vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire’ on X (formerly Twitter ) and Instagram
‘Our dear friend Karl Cochran was killed in a car accident on Feb. 19th’
‘Karl was a fantastic musician who I worked with in a band called ESP (Eric Singer Project). He was a gentle giant who was taken too soon from all of us.
Kulick also wrote about the stroke Cochran had in the past, noting that it ‘took nothing away of his spirt, love and humanity.’
He continued: ‘t made him even more special in his own unique way. As a frequent guest on the Kiss Kruise everyone that met him was touched with his smile and his special passion of life. My condolences to his family and his wonderful fiancée Ger Fasano who was his loving partner. RIP Karl… #karlcochranguitar’
Musician Joe Lyn Turner, who also worked with Cochran extensively shared a tribute to his friend and collaborator.
‘In loving Memory of Karl Cochran (December 26, 1963 – February 19, 2025) who was tragically killed in a car accident that occurred yesterday morning.’
He shared photos of working with Karl over the years, the albums he worked on with Karl and as a lovely photo of Karl with his fiancée Ger.
Billy Wilkins, a singer and guitarist who took guitar lessons with Karl shared the most touching post of all.
‘Heartbroken to hear about the passing of my guitar teacher Karl Cochran. When I was 11 years old I started studying with Karl and it changed everything for me, Wilkins wrote.
‘Karl was a vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire who suffered a massive stroke but never stopped fighting to make his way back’
‘He was loved by our fans worldwide through his appearances worldwide and was a constant inspiration as our guest on our KISS Kruises. Our deep condolences to Geri and family’
‘He had a way of pulling my best out of me and was one of the first people that ever believed in me. As I got a little older Karl would invite me to come play guitar with him at bars all over New Jersey every week.
‘He was the first person to throw me into the fire. He’d count off a song I didn’t know and I’d look over and say “I don’t know this song” then laugh and he’d say “you’ll figure it out.”
‘Karl installed in me a lot of the skills that made me the musician I am today. When I was 17 Karl suffered from a severe stroke and lost a lot of mobility in his right side.
‘Even with one hand he was still one of the best guitarists and resilient people I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish I could thank him just one more time because none of the stuff that I’m doing now would’ve happened without him being my guitar teacher and inspiring me for all of those years.
He concluded: ‘I’ll remember you in every note that I play. Rest easy.’
