Ace Frehley of the Band Kiss - RIP

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Ace Frehley, guitarist for the rock band Kiss has died. A few weeks ago, he fell while working in his home studio and suffered a brain bleed.

Kiss was the first rock concert I ever saw, probably around 1977 or 1978. Ace was the star of the show, with his special "solo stage" that rose up into the spotlight as he soloed. It was a performance as much as a concert. I saw Kiss live several times when I was a big time rocker and they always delivered the goods. I think my tinnitus is partly due to these concerts.

When the members of Kiss put out individual solo LPs simultaneously, Ace's LP was the only one I bought.

Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley Dead at 74

 

[gvopedz]

RIP

[clifford_thornton]

Too bad. I was/am a bit young to be part of the KISS Army but from certain perspectives their thing was/is undeniable.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

That first concert was Kiss at the Springfield Civic Center. Looking at the concert databases on line, I would guess it was Jan. 27, 1978. It was a fun concert but it also spoiled Gene Simmons' act for me. I sat next to the stage - like right beside it - and they didn't block my view of Simmons' staging area. I saw him stuff the fake blood packets into his cheeks before his did his "spit blood all over" act and I saw him get a mouthful of alcohol in his mouth before his spit flames. Seeing his prep work made it so hokey. It was more like a play than a concert.

[Dan Gould]

I think I am just a hair younger than the original Kiss cohort but really right there, just a few years after they hit big.

HATED HATED HATED them. Might have been the target demo but had no use or interest in guys dressed up like that or why anyone would be attracted to that.

"Beth", however, was a pretty song.

Edited yesterday at 06:22 PM by Dan Gould

[sgcim]

8 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

Too bad. I was/am a bit young to be part of the KISS Army but from certain perspectives their thing was/is undeniable.

You're lucky you didn't join. I was in my 40s when one of my students told me that KISS stood for Knights In the Service of Satan. If you had joined their Army, word on the street is, when Army members die, they face an eternity of listening to KISS records as a reward.for their service..LOL!

[gvopedz]

Well, then:

 

[Holy Ghost]

Always thought Ace was the real talent, Gene, Paul and even Peter were okay (Gene being the worst). 

Saw KISS with and without makeup over a 30 year span (wow, when they decided to take the makeup off, I was like put it back on!). 

Caught Frehley's Comet at South Beach in '86 when I lived in Florida. Cool. I was in the first row, so the dry ice sent me into a desert-like state for days. I have great pictures (I'll try to upload them) and even got an Ace guitar pick.

[Bluesnik]

19 hours ago, Dan Gould said:

HATED HATED HATED them. Might have been the target demo but had no use or interest in guys dressed up like that or why anyone would be attracted to that.

+1. I could never understand how a band dressed and made up like that could interest anybody. But my brother (he likes metal) is a big fan. He even texted me about Frehley's death.

[sambrasa]

On 10/17/2025 at 9:19 PM, Dan Gould said:

I think I am just a hair younger than the original Kiss cohort but really right there, just a few years after they hit big.

HATED HATED HATED them. Might have been the target demo but had no use or interest in guys dressed up like that or why anyone would be attracted to that.

"Beth", however, was a pretty song.

Some jazz artists do that too, facepaints and costumes, Art Ensemble Of Chicago, etc. Nothing wrong with some good old showmanship. Music-wise, have no opinion on the group called Kiss.

[Holy Ghost]

1 hour ago, sambrasa said:

Some jazz artists do that too, facepaints and costumes, Art Ensemble Of Chicago, etc. Nothing wrong with some good old showmanship. Music-wise, have no opinion on the group called Kiss.

Didn't Charles Gayle don makeup too for his shows?