Ace Frehley

Biography

ACE grew up in a working class family in the heart of New York City. He got his first guitar at the tender age of 13. ACE played around with it from time to time, he in fact is a self taught player. The very first song he taught himself to play was "Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits. It wasn't until age 16 however, when he saw Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels with The Who and Cream as the opening acts, that he knew playing the guitar was something he wanted to do as a career. So from 1969, until that fateful day in 1973, ACE played in his share of "garage" styled bands, such as: Magic People, The Muff Divers, The Exterminator's, The Four Rose's, and Millemo. Millemo actually had a recording contract with RCA, and the band recorded several tracks, but unfortunately they were never released.

Which now leads us to that fateful day, on January 17, 1973. ACE stumbles into a loft located at 10 East 23rd Street near 5th Avenue in Manhattan. He is there answering an ad placed in the Village Voice, for a "Guitarist wanted with flash and ability." He walks into the loft wearing 1 orange sneaker and 1 red sneaker , walks right past the people in the room over to the amp, plugs in and starts ripping up the guitar. Needless to say once the people in the loft got over the initial "shock" of this character who had just walked into their abode, they all plugged in their instruments, and started to jam. Let's just say that MAGIC was created there that day, along with the beginnings of what the world would soon be introduced to as "The Hottest Band In The World.... KISS"

Now that ACE has found a home in a new band, they start playing gigs in the local club scene. In the early days of their playing, very few people were in the audience . So the band had fun playing around putting Japanese styled Kabuki make up on their faces. This playing around with make-up ultimately led them into choosing a specific persona that exemplified their alter-egos. Since ACE has a passion for all things "SPACEY", including comics, space exploration and travel, science fiction, and technology, he appropriately chose the "SpACEman" persona. So that is, in all it's mundane glory, how "The SPACE ACE" was born.

They did not spend much time on the local club touring scene before they caught the eye of the public. Almost as soon as they started, they had a following of fans that just could not wait for their next gig. So, as with all things on the streets, the word also circulated in the business part of the music and entertainment industry. So, in less than 1 year of touring in the local clubs they had recorded their first album, which leads us to the beginning of the world's adoration of this man we now know as the SPACE ACE!!!

The US was introduced to ACE's song writing ability in February of 1974, with the release of the self titled LP KISS. The song was "Cold Gin". ACE did not sing this, due to his lack of confidence in himself as a singer. The day the album was released, was also the date of their first national television appearance. They were highlighted on Dick Clark's "In Concert" program. Ahhh the first time the unknowing public was introduced to that crazy SPACE ACE!! We get our next needed dose of song writing from ACE in October of 1974 with the release of The Hotter Than Hell LP. he writes 2 songs, "Parasite", "Strange Ways", and co-writes "Comin' Home". The next LP, Dressed To Kill, released in March of 1975 feature's ACE's song write of "Getaway" and he writes the beautiful guitar intro for "Rock Bottom". The next album to be released is KISS Alive, although ACE does not sing on the album, it is the first time many people are introduced to ACE's fabulous guitar solo. The next 2 studio releases, Destroyer and Rock And Roll Over, were both empty of ACE's writing input. On October 31,1976, KISS performs on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special. Just another day where the SPACE ACE showed us what a genuinely funny, yet talented guy he is.

Now let's move on to that glorious day, when we were introduced to ACE's cosmic voice. The date was, June 30, 1977, the album was Love Gun, the song was "Shock Me". By now, ACE is fairly comfortable with his song writing ability, however he is extremely nervous about how his fans are going to receive his voice. So, to lessen his own internal fears of actually recording his voice, ACE had all the lights in the studio turned off, and he sang the song lying flat on his back in the darkened studio. ACE, really had nothing to fear, his fans embraced his voice, in the same manner they embraced his radical guitar playing. Love Gun skyrocketed to the top of the charts and landed at #4. This was to date the highest charted album released by KISS. With the fan's demand now on the rise to hear more from the silvery SPACE ACE, three and a half months later, in October of 1977, the band released their second live album, Alive II. Alive II, not only features a live version of ACE singing "Shock Me", it also features a studio track of his second vocal, "Rocket Ride".

During the beginning of 1978, tensions were beginning to grow within the band. ACE, along with others in the band, now confident in the fan's love and loyalty to him, wanted to break away from the band and pursue a solo career. But KISS had already signed a contract with Hanna-Barbera to do a made for TV movie called, KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. So, ACE had a meeting with his band mates, and it was decided that they should all release solo albums. ACE's solo effort was released along with all the others in the band on, September 18, 1978. Now, it should come as no surprise that ACE's was the biggest seller of the 4 solo albums. The fans were now just loving this SPACE MAN from planet Jendell. The made for TV movie was first aired the following month, October 28, 1978, on NBC. ACE was a riot in his movie debut. The fans were now demanding to hear more from The SPACE ACE!!!

Nobody in the band could deny the overwhelming response and admiration the public felt towards ACE. So, with the release of the next studio album, Dynasty, in May, 1979, ACE has 3 featured vocal tracks, "2,000 Man" which is a cover song, "Hard Times" and "Save Your Love" both of which were also written by ACE. On Halloween night, this same year, KISS made their 3rd national TV appearance, as they were interviewed by Tom Snyder for his "Tomorrow" show. This will become the most famous KISS interview ever. Strictly due to an overly outgoing performance by our beloved SPACE ACE!!! However, it is apparent in the interview that the previously mentioned tensions are growing stronger within the confines of the band. Now, with the outstandingly hysterical performance given by ACE in this interview, he has captured the hearts of even more fans. So, with the public's demand for more ACE growing louder, we get what we want with the May, 1980 LP release of Unmasked. This album again features 3 vocal leads by the SPACE ACE, "Talk To Me" "Two Sides Of The Coin" and "Torpedo Girl".

Tensions within the band prove to be too much for one of the original members, and he officially leaves the band shortly after the release of Unmasked. ACE, however is still willing to try and make this dream he is living work out for him and his following of adoring fans. However, the release of the next studio album has very little input from our SPACE ACE. ACE in fact is opposed to the release of this "concept" album. He feels that the band should work on a harder rock sounding album. Much to his dismay however, (Music from) The Elder is released in November 1981. ACE only has 1 vocal track, "Dark Light". It seems as though ACE was right, for this album is the poorest selling album in the history of the band.

ACE is then involved in a serious car crash in July, 1982, and is unable to work with the band for their next studio album. However, the creative differences between band members was at an all time high. Upon his recovery from the accident, ACE participated in the promotional tour for the Creatures of the Night album. He even agreed to appear on the cover of the album, as well as in the video for the first released single. After the video was released, ACE bid farewell to KISS and ventured out on his own to pursue a solo career.

Shortly after ACE ventured out on his own, he was involved in another automobile accident. This was a life changing, eye opening experience for our SPACE ACE! This is the incident, that inspired the writing of ACE's solo rock anthem, anti-drinking song of "Rock Soldiers".

Upon recovery, ACE organizes the grouping of a new band, which is called, Frehley's Comet. Due to binding contracts and legalities with his former band , ACE is not able to release a record right away. ACE's fans however, were just begging for a dose of their favorite silvery space GOD! Hearing these demands, ACE, the consummate pleaser that he is, proceeded with a club tour in 1985, to give his loyal, adoring fans a more intimate feel for the magical music he creates!!!

FINALLY!! The date, May 5, 1987, the event, the release date of the self-titled LP, Frehley's Comet. How long and eagerly we had awaited this MOST triumphant day! All songs are written/sung by ACE unless dully noted.

Next up his cosmic sleeve, ACE gives us a mini EP live record, which includes one studio recorded track, appropriately titled, Live + 1, in early 1988. ACE knows his fans well indeed!! There is just NOTHING that can top ACE live!! The magic, the energy, the music, need I say more?!! Then, near the end of May, 1988, he releases his second Frehley's Comet LP titled Second Sighting. Again, all tracks are written/sung by ACE unless noted otherwise. However, for some insane reason this album does not do well in sales. Our SPACE ACE, with his never get me down attitude, comes back in 1989, with another studio released album. The new LP, Trouble Walking, is released under the name ACE Frehley at the request of the record label. Again this album fails to live up to the record companies expectations. ACE and his band tour in support of the album, however he loses his deal with the record company.

ACE, never known to give up, for he has a passionate love for rock and roll music, continues to tour the club scene for the next few years. For his ever demanding, loyal, die-hard fans, are demanding his presence. In 1995, ACE even hooked up with a former band mate from KISS, and they went on a North American tour, appropriately dubbed "The Bad Boys Tour!"

On July 25, 1995, ACE was FINALLY inducted into Hollywood's Rock Walk Hall of Fame. ACE was an absolute riot during the ceremony! What a great time he had, finally receiving an honor he deserved MANY years before this!!!

Shortly after this induction, August 5, 1995 to be precise, ACE is in New York at SIR recording studios. The purpose? ACE has been invited to be a "Special Guest" on MTV's Unplugged segment with his former band KISS! On Halloween of 1995, we are given the answer to this question. Does it, INDEED!!! For when it was announced: "We have some member's of the family here tonite..." The incredible roar coming from the crowd when the name ACE Frehley was mentioned, must have echoed through the streets of New York for hours!!!

It was a historic moment in the history of rock and roll that took place on February 28, 1996. The event , The Annual Grammy Awards. A co-presenter takes the mic, and very boldly states: "We need somethin' different, somethin' new. We need to SHOCK the people. Soooooo, let's SHOCK the PEOPLE!!! These my home boys!! And I've seen just about everything NOW!!!" ACE, along with his band mates in KISS, took the stage, in full costume and make up!!! The generally reserved crowd that is in attendance at these types of gatherings, went absolutely NUTS!!! You could read the lips of most of the people there, "WOW!! It's KISS!!" BUT no official announcement is made, as to what was going on... We know our SPACE ACE, he would not just tease us, would he?

Aboard an Air Force carrier, named USS Intrepid, on a MOST triumphant date, April 16, 1996, simulcast to 58 countries around the world, that question was answered! PEOPLE!!! YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST! THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD... KISS!!! Did you, uhhh, Did I... Do a double take, then a triple take, remove any foreign objects from the ears, I think my eyes and ears have just witnessed a most glorious occasion. WOW!! It IS the SPACE ACE and he IS there, with OMG it IS the 4 original members of KISS. YES!!! They are back together, and they are planning on starting a reunion tour!!! WOW!! The magic was most definitely back!!!

For the next two and half months, ACE and his band mates prepared themselves to give us fans a cosmic journey of a lifetime!!! They kicked off the tour in Detroit, MI at Tiger Stadium, on June 28, 1996, to a sold out crowd of over 70,000 adoring fans! Our SPACE ACE was magnificent! This was a moment in time that shall NEVER be forgotten by the legions of Rock Soldiers who had long awaited, hoped, and dreamed of this day happening!!! FINALLY!!! Once again our silvery cosmic guitar GOD was receiving the adoration he SO deserves!!!

The band toured the entire globe vigorously for the next year. They made special appearances for special events when time allowed. They had the #1 tour of the year for 1996-1997!! The last show for the Reunion Tour was on July 5,1997. In Finsbury Park, London. ACE walked away from the end of the tour feeling very fulfilled.

We were answered with the release of the studio recorded Psycho Circus LP on September 22, 1998. ACE has only 1 song on the US release, "Into The Void", but the Japanese release features an additional song, sung by ACE, "In Your Face". The following month, on October 28, 1998, FOX TV network aired the 50th episode of their Millennium show titled "Thirteen Years Later" in which all ACE along with all member's of KISS had small acting parts. Then, in support of their newly released album, on October 31, 1998 the band started a 3-D tour of the US.

During this tour, they were also working on the production of a Movie, that was to be released later in 1999. The band has a live performance for the end of the movie, which is based on 4, die hard KISS fans from 1977, and the lengths they will go to and the trials they must face in order to see their 4 heroes perform live on stage!! The movie Detroit Rock City premieres in Hollywood on August 9, 1999. Two days after the films premiere, ACE with his fellow band mates are given the royal treatment once again in Hollywood, as they are honored with their very on star on the infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame. The mayor of Hollywood officially declares that day, August 11,1999 KISS day!!!

KISS also were invited to be presenters at the 1999 Annual American Music Awards. They were to present the award for Best Rock/Pop album. When ACE and the band came out to present the award, they were greeted with a STANDING OVATION!!!! They are to date the ONLY presenters in the history of the show to receive a standing ovation!

Now, whatever does ACE have in store for us next? During a press conference on February 14, 2000 a saddened, stunned army of fans watched with their mouths agape, as it was announced that KISS would begin their Farewell Tour in March. The tour was kicked off on March 11, 2000, in Phoenix, Arizona, and is still in progress at this time. So for further updates, please visit our News and Gossip section.

On May 20, 2001, ACE was inducted into The Bronx Walk of Fame. He received a special commendation, along with a permanent personalized street plaque along the Grand Concourse. ACE was overwhelmed with joy to be recognized by his hometown!!! In a brief interview, this is what our SPACE ACE had to say, "I can't wait to sink my teeth into a solo record which just might have another tribute song honoring my childhood roots in the same vein as 'New York Groove'."