Ace Frehley

American musician (born 1951)

This article is about the musician. For the album, see Ace Frehley (album).

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
Find sources: "Ace Frehley" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Ace Frehley

Frehley performing in April 2011

Background information
Birth name| Paul Daniel Frehley
Also known as|

* The Spaceman
* Space Ace
* Socks[1]

Born|  (1951-04-27) April 27, 1951 (age 73)
New York City, U.S.
Genres|

* Hard rock
* heavy metal

Occupation(s)| Musician
Instruments|

* Guitar
* vocals

Years active| 1964–present
Formerly of|

* Kiss
* Frehley's Comet

Website| acefrehley.com

Musical artist

Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley (/ˈfreɪli/; born April 27, 1951)[2] is an American musician who was the original lead guitarist, occasional lead vocalist and founding member of the rock band Kiss. He invented the persona of The Spaceman (a.k.a. Space Ace) and played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. After leaving Kiss, Frehley formed his own band named Frehley's Comet and released two albums with the group. He subsequently embarked on a solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour.

Frehley's second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of what was originally purported to be the band's farewell tour. His most recent solo album, 10,000 Volts, was released on February 23, 2024. Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time.

Outside Kiss, Frehley achieved further commercial success and popularity, with his debut solo album achieving platinum status. His first album with his Frehley's Comet band was also a big success. Frehley is noted for his aggressive, atmospheric and melodic guitar playing and is also known for the use of many "special effects" guitars, including a Gibson Les Paul guitar that emits smoke from the neck humbucker pickup and produces spinning pyrotechnics and a custom Les Paul that emits light based on song tempo. Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.

## Early life

[edit]

Paul Daniel Frehley was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City, the youngest of three children of Esther Anna (Hecht) and Carl Daniel Friebely Frehley.[3] His father, from Pennsylvania, was the son of Dutch immigrants, and his mother is originally from North Carolina and has a German descent.[4][5] He has a sister, Nancy, and a brother, Charles, a classical guitarist. The Frehleys were a musical family, and when Frehley received an electric guitar as a Christmas present in 1964, he immersed himself in learning the instrument. "I never went to music school; I never took a guitar lesson, but everybody in my family plays an instrument. My mother and father both played piano, his father was the church organist, and my brother and sister both played piano and acoustic guitar." Frehley was always surrounded by music, and started playing guitar at age 13. He lists Jimi Hendrix, Albert Lee, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and the Who as his main influences.[6]

External videos

KISS Legend Ace Frehley – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1), Loudwire[7]
KISS Legend Ace Frehley – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 2), Loudwire[8]
KISS Legend Ace Frehley – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 3), Loudwire[9]

Growing up on the corner of Marion Avenue and 201st Street, off Bedford Park Boulevard (also known as 200th Street) and Webster Avenue in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx,[10] Frehley graduated from Grace Lutheran School at age 13. Two of the high schools he attended were DeWitt Clinton High School on Mosholu Parkway and Theodore Roosevelt High School on Fordham Road. He got the nickname "Ace" in high school from friends who said he was "a real ace" for his ability to get dates. Also in his high school years, a guidance counselor encouraged him to get into graphic arts. He later credited guitar playing for "saving his life" as a member of Kiss.[11]

## Music career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Frehley's earliest bands included The Outrage, The Four Roses, King Kong, Honey, and The Magic People. When Frehley's later band, Cathedral, began getting paying gigs, he dropped out of high school. At the insistence of his family and girlfriend, Frehley eventually returned and earned a diploma. After graduation, Frehley held a string of short-term jobs, including mail carrier, furniture deliverer, messenger, taxi driver and liquor store delivery person.[12]

### Kiss

[edit]

Main article: Kiss (band)

Frehley (right) and Gene Simmons during the Alive II Tour in 1978

Frehley spent the early 1970s in a series of local bands including one called Molimo who recorded half an album for RCA Records in 1971.[13] In late 1972, his friend, Chris Cassone, spotted an advertisement for a lead guitarist in The Village Voice and showed the ad to Frehley.[14] Frehley went to 10 East 23rd Street above the Live Bait Bar and auditioned for Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (bass guitar), and Peter Criss (drums). Frehley showed up wearing one red and one orange sneaker and was less than impressive visually, but the band liked what they heard from his playing. About three weeks later the band named Frehley as their lead guitarist. By January 1973 the band came up with the name Kiss. Frehley designed the band's double-lightning-bolt logo, which was polished up by Stanley. The band quickly decided to paint their faces for live performances and Frehley decided to start painting silver stars on his eyes. When the group eventually decided to adopt stage personas to match their makeup and costumes, Frehley became Space Ace. Later his stage persona was also known as The Spaceman. Frehley stated that this persona was inspired by his interest in science fiction and space travel.[15]

"The Spaceman" was the make-up design used by Frehley during his years with Kiss (1973–1982, 1996–2002).

While Kiss spent their early days rehearsing and playing in empty clubs, Frehley worked as a part-time cab driver to pay bills. In September 1973, Kiss members began to receive a $50 a week salary from new manager Bill Aucoin, and Frehley quit his cabbie job.[citation needed]

Kiss released their debut album, Kiss, in February 1974 – Frehley was credited for writing two songs, "Love Theme from KISS" (the only song co-written by the four original members) and a fan classic, "Cold Gin". Due to Frehley's lack of confidence in his own singing voice, however, Simmons performed the vocals. Frehley wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs over the next few years but did not record vocals on a song until "Shock Me" (inspired by his near-electrocution during a concert in Lakeland, Florida), which appeared on 1977's Love Gun.[12]

As lead guitarist, Frehley was known for his frenetic, atmospheric playing, becoming one of the most popular guitarists in the 1970s and spawning a generation of new players. Frehley stated in the book Kiss: Behind the Mask that many guitarists have told him his playing on 1975's hit Alive! prompted them to pick up the instrument. Frehley is well recognized for using Gibson Les Paul guitars, including his trademarked model conversion Les Paul Custom (that was designed and implemented by John Elder Robison, known as "Ampie", an audio engineer working with the band), which filled the stage with smoke during his live guitar solo.[16]

Frehley in 1977 performing his signature smoke effect during the Love Gun Tour

Along with the three other Kiss members, Frehley released an eponymous solo album in 1978. His was the bestselling of the four, and the album's lone single—the Russ Ballard-written "New York Groove", originally recorded by Hello—reached the Top 20 in the United States.[17]

His songwriting presence within the group increased in 1979. He contributed three songs for 1979's Dynasty and three for 1980's Unmasked. While this was not the most commercially successful time for Kiss in the United States, the band was beginning to take off in other countries (mostly in Australia, where Dynasty and Unmasked are their biggest-selling albums). In 1981, a star was named after Frehley in the International Star Registry.[18]

Even as his songwriting role within Kiss was increasing, Frehley found himself increasingly at odds with the musical direction of the band. After Peter Criss was voted out of Kiss in 1980, Frehley was often outvoted 2–1 in band decisions, as replacement drummer Eric Carr was not a partner in Kiss and had no vote. Frehley's participation in the recording of 1981's Music from "The Elder" was far more limited than with previous albums. This was in large part due to his unhappiness with the band's decision to create a concept album rather than a straightforward rock album,[19][20] and, by Frehley's own admission, his "not relating all that well" to producer Bob Ezrin, who cut many of Frehley's solos from the recorded tracks.

Although Frehley appeared on the covers for the 1982 releases Killers and Creatures of the Night, he had no involvement with Killers, and minimal (no musical) input on Creatures of the Night. Frehley's last appearances with the band were in the video for "I Love It Loud", a series of European promotional appearances in November 1982, and a band interview with MTV promoting their world tour.[citation needed]

### Solo career/Frehley's Comet

[edit]

In December 1982, Kiss began the Creatures of the Night tour without Frehley: he was replaced by Vinnie Vincent. Frehley retained a one-quarter share in the Kiss partnership until 1985, however. He received one-quarter of the profits for both Lick It Up and Animalize although he had no involvement with either record.[21]

In 1984, Frehley started his post-Kiss solo career by assembling a band that included, among others, drummer Anton Fig (who had performed on Frehley's 1978 solo album and on two Kiss albums). Bassist John Regan (who had worked with Peter Frampton), whom Frehley met in 1980, was also an original member of the band as was vocalist/guitarist Richie Scarlet and keyboardist Arthur Stead.[21] The group, whose name alternated between 'Ace Frehley' and Frehley's Comet, recorded a series of demos throughout 1984 and 1985.[22] The band performed their first ever live show at S.I.R. Studios in New York City on November 30, 1984, and played a handful of shows in the Northeast United States in March 1985.

After a few unsuccessful attempts at securing a recording contract, the group eventually signed to Megaforce Records and released their first album, Frehley's Comet, on July 7, 1987. The album was co-produced by Eddie Kramer, who had produced not only a number of Kiss albums, but Frehley's 1978 album and some of his 1984–85 demos. Fig, now being the in-studio drummer for David Letterman's late-night television show, performed on the album but was unable to maintain a permanent commitment to touring. He played on the 1987 tour in the United States when Frehley's band played a double bill with Y&T, and White Lion opening the shows. By the time the band began recording this album, Scarlet had left the group to pursue other projects and was replaced by Tod Howarth. In addition, at some point between the initial Frehley's Comet shows in 1984–85 and their signing to Megaforce, the band had become a four-piece, with Stead no longer playing with the group.[citation needed]

Frehley's Comet, a mixture of hard rock and pop metal, was a successful return to the music scene for Frehley. The album peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 (selling nearly 500,000 copies[21]), and the single, a Russ Ballard cover "Into the Night", reached No. 27 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[23] "Rock Soldiers" was an autobiographic song, written partially about Frehley's April 1982 police chase in White Plains, NY while driving a DeLorean with his friend. The video for "Rock Soldiers" received moderate airplay on MTV, particularly on Headbangers Ball.[24][better source needed]

Despite the positive reviews and healthy album sales of Frehley's Comet, Frehley was unable to maintain much commercial momentum. Two 1988 Frehley's Comet albums—the live EP Live+1 and second studio album Second Sighting peaked at No. 84 and No. 81, respectively. A pair of tours in support of Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden ended prematurely, with the band claiming lack of payment in both cases.[25]

In order to reverse his band's declining commercial fortunes, Frehley dropped the Frehley's Comet moniker and issued 1989's Trouble Walkin' under his own name. Tod Howarth and Jamie Oldaker also decided to leave before recording started on the album, and were replaced by Scarlet and Sandy Slavin. Despite the return to a more traditional hard rock style, Trouble Walkin' continued the pattern of declining sales, and peaked at #102.[26] After the tour for Trouble Walkin' ended prematurely with John Regan resigning after an April 1990 show in Las Vegas, Frehley did not perform live for two years, until July 1992.[27]

One notable aspect of Trouble Walkin' was the guest appearance of Peter Criss, who provided backing vocals on several tracks, along with Sebastian Bach and other members of Skid Row. It was the first time Criss and Frehley had performed together on an album since Kiss' 1979 album, Dynasty, although Criss had shown up briefly at a Frehley's Comet show in Los Angeles in 1987, playing drums on a final encore of "Deuce". Frehley would return the favor by playing solos on Peter Criss' Cat #1 album on TNT Records, released in 1994. In contrast to the somewhat adversarial relationship Frehley had with Kiss (particularly Gene Simmons) throughout the 1980s, he and Criss had maintained good ties during the decade. In June 1995, Frehley's and Criss' bands embarked on the "Bad Boys Tour" with Scarlet on guitar, marking the end of Frehley's solo band for several years as Kiss shortly thereafter reunited and began touring together again.[28]

### Reunion with Kiss (1996–2002)

[edit]

In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for a successful reunion tour, on which all four original members of the band performed live for the first time since original drummer Peter Criss' departure in 1980. After the tour, they announced that the original lineup would return to the studio to record a new album. The resulting record, Psycho Circus, was promoted with a successful world tour, but it was revealed a couple of years later that Frehley's and Criss' involvement on it was minimal. "Into The Void", which was Frehley's lone contribution to the record, including vocals and lead guitar duties, is believed to be the only track that all four original members performed on; Frehley also performed the lead guitar solo on the song "You Wanted The Best". After completing the "Farewell Tour" with Kiss in late 2001, Frehley left the band and resumed his solo career.[29][30] After the end of the 2002 Winter Olympics, he performed one last time with Kiss.

"Into the Void" would be the only original song Ace would release between his 1989 album Trouble Walkin' and his 2009 album Anomaly.

### Return to Solo Career (2003–present)

[edit]

In 2006 Frehley performed Kiss' "God of Thunder" with Rob Zombie, Slash, Gilby Clarke, Scott Ian, and Tommy Lee at the VH1 Rock Honors in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on May 25, 2006.

In October 2018, Frehley and Bruce Kulick reunited with Kiss on the Kiss Kruise. The six musicians performed "2,000 Man", "New York Groove", "Nothin' to Lose", and "Rock and Roll All Nite". This was the first time Frehley and the band had performed together since 2002 for the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics and Kulick's first time performing with the band live since his departure in 1996.[31]

Frehley did not participate in Kiss' final tour, which began on January 31, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[32] Stanley and Simmons did not rule out the possibility of Frehley and Peter Criss making appearances during the final tour, with Stanley stating that he was "open to the idea".[33] Simmons later invited Frehley to perform encores with the band for their final tour,[34] but Frehley turned down the invitation,[35] also ruling out the possibility of performing at the band's final show and expressing doubt that the band would stop touring.[36][37] In June 2022, Simmons reportedly told the Finnish Chaoszine that he and Stanley had met with Frehley to try to convince him to make guest appearances with the band but that Frehley was making demands (regarding his makeup and having Thayer not play encores) that couldn't be satisfied.[38]

It was announced on December 15, 2020, that a Kiss biopic was in the works, with hopes to release it on time with the band's final concert.[39] Deadline reported that Netflix has nearly finalized a deal to produce the Kiss biopic titled Shout it Out Loud, which will be released in 2024.[40][41] The film will be made with close cooperation from both Simmons and Stanley, and will focus on the formative years of the band.[42][43]

Following the announcement of the biopic, a two-part documentary on the band titled Biography: Kisstory was also announced and aired on A&E on both June 27 and 28, 2021, with an exclusive live performance following after its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2021.[44][45] Simmons claimed (in June 2022 when being interviewed by Chaoszine) that he and Stanley had invited Frehley and Criss to participate in the documentary but that Frehley and Criss told Simmons that "they might do it if they have complete control of the edit. I said, 'We can't do that, because even we don't have that. But I won't control what you say; you can say whatever you want.' The answer is no — both of them."[38]

In the June 2022 interview with Chaoszine, Simmons also discussed Frehley and Criss' health and a Kiss fan convention in May 2022, Nashville, Tennessee, called the "Creatures Fest". Frehley, Criss, Vinnie Vincent, and Bruce Kulick all performed at the event. Criss joined Frehley for part of Frehley's set, and both Kulick and Frehley joined Vincent for part of his set. Simmons was asked if he had seen fan footage from the event, to which he responded "Somebody showed me about 30 seconds, yeah. It was very sad. I felt sad for Peter [Criss]…" He further elaborated about Criss' health, claiming that "When I called to invite Peter to be in the documentary, his health isn't what it should be. I don't wanna get too specific because it's part of his private life. But no, physically, he wouldn't be able to do it. Neither would Ace." With regards to Frehley, Simmons stated that "[he cared] about Ace [Frehley], but he's not in shape — he can't play that way and doesn't have the physical stamina to do that…" and that Frehley and Criss' actions had resulted in their poor relationship with himself and Stanley.[38][46][47]

Shortly before Kiss' final two shows, and after the end of the tour, Frehley stated that he was not opposed to appearing at the final concerts in New York City. He also stated that he would have accepted such an offer, even if both he and Thayer were wearing his "Spaceman" makeup, for a $250,000 payment for each of the two final shows. Frehley also denied that he and Criss had been invited, claiming that "[Stanley and Simmons] just said that to sell tickets."[48][38][49]

10,000 Volts was released in 2024, debuting at #72 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 13,000 units.[38][50] Frehley's next album, Origins Vol. 3, is tentatively due in 2025.[51][52]

## Autobiography

[edit]

Ace Frehley released his autobiography, No Regrets – A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir, on November 1, 2011. The autobiography was authored by Frehley, Joe Layden and John Ostrosky, and published through Gallery Books, a subdivision of Simon & Schuster.[53] The book entered The New York Times Best Seller list in the hardcover non-fiction category at #10.[54]

## Technique

[edit]

In a 2009 interview with Rock N Roll Experience Magazine, Frehley stated, "I'm an anomaly, I'm an un-schooled musician, I don't know how to read music, but I'm one of the most famous guitar players in the world, so go figure."[55]

"I play guitar in such an unorthodox way," he told Guitar World in 1996. "I've never taken a guitar lesson. One of our assistants brought it to my attention a few months ago that, sometimes, when I play chords, my thumb is on the fretted side of the neck. I have no idea why or how I do it, but I do." Paul Stanley added, "I remember a time early on when Ace and I would play, and I would do vibrato with my hand, and Ace would get vibrato by shaking his whole arm against the neck of the guitar [laughs]."[56]

## Discography

[edit]

Frehley performing in 2008

### Solo

[edit]

* Ace Frehley (1978)
* Trouble Walkin' (1989)
* Anomaly (2009)
* Space Invader (2014)
* Origins Vol. 1 (2016)
* Spaceman (2018)
* Origins Vol. 2 (2020)
* 10,000 Volts (2024)
* Origins Vol. 3 (2025)[52]

### Frehley's Comet

[edit]

* Frehley's Comet (1987)
* Second Sighting (1988)

### Live

[edit]

* Live+1 (1988)
* Greatest Hits Live (2006)

### Compilation albums

[edit]

* 12 Picks (1997)
* Loaded Deck (1998)

### with Kiss

[edit]

Further information: Kiss discography

* Kiss (1974)
* Hotter Than Hell (1974)
* Dressed to Kill (1975)
* Destroyer (1976)
* Rock and Roll Over (1976)
* Love Gun (1977)
* Dynasty (1979)
* Unmasked (1980)
* Music from "The Elder" (1981)
* Creatures of the Night (1982) (credited but does not play)
* Psycho Circus (1998)

Live

* Alive (1975)
* Alive II (1977)
* Kiss Unplugged (1996)
* You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996)
* Alive! The Millennium Concert (2006)

### Solo singles

[edit]

* 1978: "New York Groove" – from the album Ace Frehley, his 1978 Kiss solo album. This is a cover of a song written by Russ Ballard, which was recorded by the band Hello, for their album Keeps Us off the Streets, released in 1976.
* 1987: "Into the Night" – from the album Frehley's Comet.
* 1987: "Rock Soldiers" – from the album Frehley's Comet.
* 1988: "Words Are Not Enough" – (from the album Live+1).
* 1988: "Insane" – from the album Second Sighting.
* 1988: "It's Over Now" – from the album Second Sighting.
* 1989: "Do Ya" – from the album Trouble Walkin'. A cover of a Jeff Lynne song, written in 1971 whilst in The Move. The song was later recorded with Jeff Lynne's ELO, and included on their album A New World Record, released in 1976.
* 2009: "Outer Space" – from the album Anomaly.
* 2014: "Gimme a Feelin'" – from the album Space Invader.
* 2014: "The Joker" – from the album Space Invader. A cover of the Steve Miller song from his 1973 album The Joker.
* 2016: "White Room" – from the album Origins Vol. 1. A cover of the Cream song from their 1968 album Wheels of Fire.
* 2016: "Fire and Water" – from the album Origins Vol. 1. A cover of the Free song from their 1970 album, Fire and Water, featuring Paul Stanley of Kiss on vocals (promotional video).
* 2018: "Bronx Boy" – from the album Spaceman (released as a single on April 27, 2018, Ace Frehley's birthday).
* 2018: "Rockin' with the Boys" – from the album Spaceman. Released October 15, 2018 (promotional video).
* 2019: "Mission to Mars" – from the album Spaceman. Released May 28, 2019, with animated YouTube video.
* 2020: "Space Truckin'" – from the album Origins Vol. 2. A cover of the Deep Purple song. Released July 28, 2020, with animated YouTube video.
* 2020: "I'm Down" – from the album Origins Vol. 2. Released as a Visualizer on YouTube on September 3, 2020. The song "I'm Down" was originally recorded by the Beatles and was the B-side of their 1965 single "Help!".
* 2023: "10,000 Volts" – from the album 10,000 Volts. Released November 23, 2023 (promotional video).
* 2024: "Walkin' on the Moon" – from the album 10,000 Volts. Released February 2, 2024 (promotional video).
* 2024: "Cherry Medicine" – from the album 10,000 Volts. Released February 22, 2024 (promotional video).

### Guest appearances

[edit]

* "Eugene" – song on the 1981 self-titled album by Crazy Joe and the Variable Speed Band. Frehley co-wrote and co-produced the song with Joe Renda and played synth drums.
* "Bump and Grind" – song on the 1984 Wendy O. Williams album WOW, Frehley played lead guitar.
* "Bad Attitude", "Walk the Line", and "Blue Moon Over Brooklyn". Frehley played lead guitar on these three songs that feature on his former Kiss bandmate Peter Criss' album Cat #1 – the 1994 Criss album.
* "Cherokee Boogie" – song on the 1996 compilation album Smell the Fuzz: Guitars that Rule the World 2. The song was written, produced and engineered by Frehley, who also played all guitars on it.
* "Rocker Room Theme" – song on the 1998 Still Wicked album Something Wicked This Way Comes. Frehley played rhythm and lead guitar. CD also features Ron Leejack (Wicked Lester), Gordon G.G. Gebert, MaryAnn Scandiffio and Michael Sciotto.
* "Foxy Lady" – song on the 1998 ESP (Eric Singer Project) album Lost and Spaced. Frehley played lead guitar.
* "Freedom" – song on the 2000 Karl Cochran album Voodooland. Frehley played the guitar solo on the bonus demo version.
* Insanity of Life – on the 2002 Richie Scarlet album, Frehley played guitar on "Johnny's in Love" and lead guitar on "Too Far Gone", which he co-wrote with Scarlet.
* "Know Where You Go" – On the 2002 Anton Fig album Figments, Frehley played lead guitar.
* "Bad Choice" – on the 2005 Kathy Valentine album Light Years, Frehley played the lead guitar solos.
* "2,000 Man" (new version) – In 2005, Frehley played this new version on Eddie Trunk's Merry Kissmas special. Chris Cassone on acoustic guitar and harmony vocals.[57][infringing link?] Chris suggested the song to Frehley for the Dynasty LP and recorded the demo at North Lake Sound.
* "God of Thunder" (live version) – In 2006, Frehley was a guest at the VH1 Rock Honors. He performed with a 'super-group' of Rob Zombie, Slash, Gilby Clarke, Scott Ian, and Tommy Lee. They performed the KISS song "God of Thunder".
* "Black Diamond" (live version) – On June 25, 2008, Frehley appeared onstage at New York's Madison Square Garden with Pearl Jam for an encore performance of Kiss's "Black Diamond" sung by drummer Matt Cameron.
* "The Ride" – August 12, 2008 Black Pain Society by Jam Pain Society. Frehley played lead guitar on the song.
* "Highway to Hell" (live version) – On July 21, 2009, Frehley appeared on the Dark Horse Tour with members from each of the tour's participating bands in a rendition of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell". Frehley played lead guitar with Chad Kroeger of Nickelback on rhythm guitar and backing vocals—and Austin Winkler of Hinder and Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach sharing lead vocals.[citation needed]
* "Nothin' but a Good Time" – Frehley played lead guitar on a re-recorded version of this song, which features on Bret Michaels' 2013 album Jammin' With Friends. The song was originally recorded and released as a single by the rock band Poison.
* "Never Too Hot" – Ace recorded the lead for old friend, Chris Cassone, for his BBQ All Stars CD.[58]
* "Rise Up (Back from the Grave)" – This is a collaboration between Kris Randall and Ace Frehley released in 2014. Written by Ace Frehley and Kris Randall. Co-produced by Kris Randall and Andy Bigan. Guitars/background vocals, Ace Frehley. Vocals/guitar/bass, Kris Randall; drums/bass, Andy Bigan.
* "Starman" – Ace Frehley played lead guitar on Joe Silva's cover of the David Bowie song, released in 2014. The recording also featured Anton Fig on drums and Will Lee on bass, both of whom featured on the Ace Frehley 1978 KISS solo album.[citation needed]

## Filmography

[edit]

* 1978: Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
* 1988: Frehley's Comet: Live + 4 (VHS)[59]
* 1992: X-treme Close-Up
* 1994: Ace Frehley – Acevision Volume #1[60]
* 1996: Kiss Unplugged
* 1998: Kiss: The Second Coming Documentary
* 1999: Detroit Rock City
* 2001: Family Guy: A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas
* 2004: Kiss Loves You
* 2005: Remedy
* 2006: Kissology Volume One: 1974-1977
* 2007: Kissology Volume Two: 1978-1991
* 2007: Kissology Volume Three: 1992-2000
* 2009: Let's Go Cobo (Documentary)

### Interviews

[edit]

* Behind the Player: Ace Frehley DVD (2010)
* A Conversation with Ace Frehley on The Pods & Sods Network EM25 – Ace Frehley

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Ace "Socks" Frehley "Stars & Stripes" One-of-a-Kind Plaque". Ace-frehley.square.site.
2. ^ "Artist bio: Ace Frehley". Kayos Productions. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
3. ^ Frehley, Charley. "Growing up Frehley". Thebridgeband.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
4. ^ "Ace Frehley 2023: About his new soloalbum "10.000 Volts" and KISS @ROCKANTENNE". YouTube.
5. ^ "Biography". Ace-frehley.com {An Unofficial Website}. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
6. ^ Bey, Terri (June 1999). "Ace Frehley Biography". Kissinuk.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
7. ^ "KISS Legend Ace Frehley – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)". Loudwire. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
8. ^ "KISS Legend Ace Frehley Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?' – Part 2". Loudwire. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
9. ^ "KISS Legend Ace Frehley – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 3)". Loudwire. April 20, 2016. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
10. ^ "Map of the intersection of Bedford Park Boulevard and Webster Avenue in the Bronx, New York". Google Maps. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
11. ^ "Former KISS Guitarist ACE FREHLEY Says He Knew "The Elder" Would Bomb". Blabbermouth. October 2, 2018.
12. ^ a b Leaf, David and Ken Sharp. Kiss: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 2003. ISBN 0-446-53073-5
13. ^ "MOLIMO – Promo Radio vinyl : Rock Stars with Richard Robinson 1971". Kiss Related Recordings. 2016. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
14. ^ Frehley, Ace (2011). No regrets : a rock 'n' roll memoir. Layden, Joseph, 1959–, Ostrosky, John. (1st Gallery books hardcover ed.). New York: Gallery Books. pp. 65. ISBN 978-1-4516-1394-0. OCLC 651915486.
15. ^ Weiss, Brett (August 11, 2017). Encyclopedia of KISS. McFarland. p. 179\. ISBN 9781476625409.
16. ^ Beckner, Justin. "The Story Behind Ace Frehley's 'The Smoking Pickup' Guitar". Ultimate-guitar.com.
17. ^ Prato, Greg. "Ace Frehley – Ace Frehley, Kiss | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
18. ^ "Ace-Frehley-blog". Starregistry.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
19. ^ "Simmons says Frehley was right about "Music from the Elder"". Ultimate Classic Rock. December 2022.
20. ^ "42 Years Ago: KISS Hit Rock Bottom With "Music From the Elder"". Loudwire. November 10, 2023.
21. ^ a b c Gill, Julian. The Kiss Album Focus, Volume 1 (3rd Edition). Xlibris Corporation, 2005. ISBN 1-4134-8547-2
22. ^ "ACE FREHLEY Related Recordings". Kiss Related Recordings. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
23. ^ Prato, Greg. "Frehley's Comet – Ace Frehley | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
24. ^ "Headbangers Ball (TV Series) Episode #1.10 (1987)". IMDB. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
25. ^ Gill, Julian (2006). "Kiss Chronology / Timeline". The KISSFAQ. Archived from the original on May 7, 2006. Retrieved June 27, 2006.
26. ^ "Ace Frehley Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
27. ^ "Ace Frehley Tour Statistics". Setlist.fm. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
28. ^ "Home". The Official Richie Scarlet Website. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
29. ^ "Ace Frehley Explains Why He Left KISS & What He Didn't Like About Gene Simmons at the Time". Ultimate-guitar.com.
30. ^ "The Day Ace Frehley Played His Last Kiss Show". Ultimate Classic Rock. April 13, 2016.
31. ^ Blistein, Jon (November 1, 2018). "Watch Ace Frehley Reunite With Kiss for Acoustic Set". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
32. ^ "Kiss Announce First 'End of the Road' Farewell Tour Dates". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
33. ^ "KISS's PAUL STANLEY On ACE FREHLEY And PETER CRISS Making Appearances During 'End Of The Road' Tour: 'If It's Meant To Be, It Will Happen'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
34. ^ Lewry, Fraser (April 28, 2022). "Gene Simmons still wants Ace Frehley to appear at Kiss farewell shows". Classic Rock. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
35. ^ "Gene Simmons: Ace Frehley & Peter Criss Have Turned Down Offers To Join Kiss Onstage". Vermilion County First. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
36. ^ Kielty, Martin (November 28, 2023). "Ace Frehley: No Chance I'll Play at Kiss' Final Show". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
37. ^ "Ace Frehley On Kiss's Final Shows: 'I Don't Really Believe They're Ending Their Touring Career'". Blabbermouth.net. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
38. ^ a b c d e "ACE FREHLEY On His Absence From KISS's Final Show: 'I Did Try, But I Couldn't Make It Happen'". Blabbermouth.net. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
39. ^ Wiggins, Keavin (December 15, 2020). "KISS Biopic In The Works 2020 In Review". antiMUSIC. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
40. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 21, 2021). "Netflix Near Deal On KISS Biopic 'Shout It Out Loud;' Joachim Rønning To Direct Film With Leaders Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons Center Stage". Deadline. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
41. ^ "Kiss Biopic To Arrive In 2024". Blabbermouth.net. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
42. ^ "Report: KISS Biopic 'Shout It Out Loud' Coming To NETFLIX". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
43. ^ "KISS Manager Talks Band Biopic – "It'll Be A Theatrical Release, Then Netfllix"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
44. ^ Blistein, Jon (April 27, 2021). "Kiss Documentary to Premiere on A&E This Summer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
45. ^ "Watch KISS Play Five-Song Set At TRIBECA FESTIVAL". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
46. ^ "Watch: VINNIE VINCENT, ACE FREHLEY And BRUCE KULICK Perform KISS Classics Together At Nashville's CREATURES FEST". Blabbermouth.net. May 29, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
47. ^ "ACE FREHLEY And PETER CRISS Reunite At Creatures Fest 2022, Perform KISS Classics (Video)". BraveWords.com. May 29, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
48. ^ Owen, Matt (November 29, 2023). ""They said they invited us to perform at that show. I never got a phone call. They just said that to sell tickets": Despite reports, Ace Frehley says he hasn't heard from Paul Stanley or Gene Simmons about joining Kiss's last-ever gig". GuitarWorld.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
49. ^ Friedlander, Matt (November 28, 2023). "Ace Frehley Says He Won't Appear at KISS' Final Show; Announces New Solo Album, '10,000 Volts'". AmericanSongwriter.com. American Songwriter. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
50. ^ McIntyre, Hugh. Forbes. March 6, 2024. "Kiss Rocker Ace Frehley Returns To The Billboard Charts"
51. ^ "ACE FREHLEY To Work On 'Origins Vol. 3' After Release Of '10,000 Volts' Album". Blabbermouth.net. January 3, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
52. ^ a b "Watch ACE FREHLEY's Entire New York City Concert". Blabbermouth.net. March 29, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
53. ^ Laney, Karen 'Gilly' (August 2, 2011). "Original Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley to Release 'No Regrets' Memoir in November". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
54. ^ "Hardcover Nonfiction Books – Best Sellers". The New York Times. November 20, 2011. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
55. ^ Suehs, Rob (August 20, 2009). "Ace Frehley – Interview 2009". Rock-n-Roll Experience. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
56. ^ Kitts, Jeff (September 1996). "Back in black (and white)". Guitar World: 80. ISSN 1045-6295.
57. ^ "Ace Frehley – 2000 man – New version acoustic". January 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2019 - via YouTube.
58. ^ Cassone, Chris (October 25, 2013). "The BBQ All Stars, by Chris Cassone". Chris Cassone. Bandcamp. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
59. ^ Frehley's Comet Live... + 4 (Videotape). Atlantic Recording Corporation. 1989. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
60. ^ "Longform Videos". KissFAQ.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2009.

## Sources

[edit]

* Giles, Jeff (July 10, 2014) "Ace Frehley Reveals 'Space Invader' Track Listing". Ultimate Classic Rock.
* Grow, Kory (May 29, 2014) Rolling Stone Magazine.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Frehley, Ace (2011). No Regrets (Hardback ed.). London: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-85720-477-6.
* Hoffmann, Jim (2020). My Search for 'Shock Me': Ace Frehley's Signature Song (A Scholarly Analysis). Susquehanna Road Publishing. ISBN 979-8664267723.

## External links

[edit]

Ace Frehley at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Media from Commons
* Quotations from Wikiquote
* Data from Wikidata

* Official website
* Career Retrospective Interview from April 2016 with Pods & Sods
* Ace Frehley at AllMusic
* Ace Frehley discography at Discogs
* KISS Legend Ace Frehley - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? Parts 1, 2 and 3 at Loudwire

Preceded by

None

|  Lead guitarist of Kiss
1973–1982  | Succeeded by

Vinnie Vincent

|
|

Preceded by

Bruce Kulick

|  Lead guitarist of Kiss
1996–2002  | Succeeded by

Tommy Thayer

* v
* t
* e

Ace Frehley

* Ace Frehley
* Ryan Cook
* Jeremy Asbrock
* Scot Coogan

* Richie Scarlet
* Jason Hook
* John Regan
* James LoMenzo
* Anton Fig
* Jamie Oldaker
* Greg D'Angelo
* Tod Howarth
* Chris Wyse
* Todd Youth
* Philip Schouse
* Matt Starr
* Zach Throne

Studio albums|

* Ace Frehley
* Frehley's Comet
* Second Sighting
* Trouble Walkin'
* Anomaly
* Space Invader
* Origins Vol. 1
* Spaceman
* Origins Vol. 2

Live albums|

* Live+1
* Greatest Hits Live

Compilations|

* 12 Picks
* Loaded Deck

Singles|

* "New York Groove"
* "Do Ya"
* "Fox on the Run"
* "The Joker"
* "White Room"

Related|

* Kiss
* Frehley's Comet
* No Regrets: A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir

* v
* t
* e

Kiss

* Paul Stanley
* Gene Simmons
* Peter Criss
* Ace Frehley
* Eric Carr
* Vinnie Vincent
* Mark St. John
* Bruce Kulick
* Eric Singer
* Tommy Thayer

Studio albums|

* Kiss
* Hotter than Hell
* Dressed to Kill
* Destroyer
* Rock and Roll Over
* Love Gun
* Dynasty
* Unmasked
* Music from "The Elder"
* Creatures of the Night
* Lick It Up
* Animalize
* Asylum
* Crazy Nights
* Hot in the Shade
* Revenge
* Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions
* Psycho Circus
* Sonic Boom
* Monster

1978 solo albums|

* Ace Frehley
* Gene Simmons
* Paul Stanley
* Peter Criss

Live albums|

* Alive!
* Alive II
* Alive III
* Kiss Unplugged
* You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!
* Kiss Symphony: Alive IV
* Kiss Instant Live
* Alive! The Millennium Concert
* Kiss Alive 35
* Kiss Sonic Boom Over Europe
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Compilations|

* Double Platinum
* Killers
* Chikara
* Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
* Greatest Kiss
* The Very Best of Kiss
* The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 2: The Millennium Collection
* Gold
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 3: The Millennium Collection
* Jigoku-Retsuden
* Kiss 40

Box sets|

* The Originals
* The Box Set
* Kiss Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums
* Kiss Alive! 1975–2000
* Ikons

Video albums|

* Animalize Live Uncensored
* Exposed
* Crazy Nights
* X-treme Close-Up
* Kiss Konfidential
* Kiss My Ass: The Video
* Kiss Unplugged
* Psycho Circus 3-D Video
* The Second Coming
* Kiss Symphony: The DVD
* Rock the Nation Live!
* Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977
* Kissology Volume Two: 1978–1991
* Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Tribute albums|

* Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation
* Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved
* A Tribute to the Creatures of the Night
* Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss
* Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to Kiss
* Gods of Thunder: A Norwegian Tribute to Kiss
* Lick It Up – A Millennium Tribute to Kiss
* Kiss My Ankh

Concert tours|

* Club Tour
* Kiss Tour
* Hotter than Hell Tour
* Dressed to Kill Tour
* Alive! Tour
* Destroyer Tour
* Rock & Roll Over Tour
* Love Gun Tour
* Alive II Tour
* Dynasty Tour
* Unmasked Tour
* Creatures of the Night Tour
* Lick It Up World Tour
* Animalize World Tour
* Asylum Tour
* Crazy Nights World Tour
* Hot in the Shade Tour
* Revenge Tour
* Kiss My Ass Tour
* Alive/Worldwide Tour
* Psycho Circus World Tour
* The Farewell Tour
* Alive 35 World Tour
* Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour
* The Hottest Show on Earth Tour
* The Tour
* Monster World Tour
* Kiss 40th Anniversary World Tour
* Freedom to Rock Tour
* Kissworld Tour
* End of the Road World Tour

Films|

* Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
* Detroit Rock City
* Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery

Merchandising|

* Action figures
* Comics
* Kiss: Psycho Circus
* Pinball
* Pinball video game
* Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child
* Kiss Kasket
* Kiss by Monster Mini-Golf
* Los Angeles Kiss
* Bibliography

Related|

| Management|

* Bill Aucoin
* Doc McGhee

|

Songwriters|

* Bryan Adams
* Jean Beauvoir
* Michael Bolton
* Desmond Child
* Karl Cochran
* Stephen Coronel
* Sean Delaney
* Kim Fowley
* Bob Halligan Jr.
* Mikel Japp
* Holly Knight
* Bob Kulick
* Gerard McMahon
* Adam Mitchell
* Tony Powers
* Lou Reed
* Kane Roberts
* Jaime St. James
* Davitt Sigerson
* Ken Tamplin
* Bruce Turgon
* Jim Vallance
* Diane Warren

Articles|

* Discography
* Band members
* Songs
* Awards
* Kiss Army
* Operation Payback
* "Road to Europe"
* Rock School
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels
* The Elder

Bands|

* Black 'n Blue
* Black Sabbath
* Chelsea
* Eric Singer Project
* Frehley's Comet
* Grand Funk Railroad
* Mini Kiss
* Union
* Vinnie Vincent Invasion
* White Tiger
* Wicked Lester

Albums|

* Anomaly
* Asshole
* Cat #1
* Gene Simmons Vault
* Let Me Rock You
* Live to Win
* One for All
* Out of Control
* The Original Wicked Lester Sessions
* Origins Vol. 1
* Origins Vol. 2
* Rockology
* Space Invader
* Spaceman
* Trouble Walkin'
* Unfinished Business

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2014

Performers|

* Peter Gabriel
* Hall & Oates
* Daryl Hall, John Oates
* Kiss
* Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley
* Nirvana
* Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic
* Linda Ronstadt
* Cat Stevens

Non-performers
(Ahmet Ertegun Award)|

* Brian Epstein
* Andrew Loog Oldham

Award for Musical Excellence|

* E Street Band
* Roy Bittan, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Vini Lopez, Nils Lofgren, David Sancious, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg

Portals:

* Biography
* New York City

Authority control databases

International|

* FAST
* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Spain
* France
* BnF data
* Germany
* United States
* Czech Republic
* Netherlands

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

Other|

* IdRef

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template