Happy Birthday, Ace
April 27, 2007 10:34 AM Subscribe
In an effort to further undermine what remaining credibility I may have, let me say that I've seen Frehley's Comet live not once, but twice. And both times when fireworks came shooting out of Ace's guitar I cried a little inside.
posted by spicynuts at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2007
posted by spicynuts at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2007
I am afraid that this time your favorite artist really does suck.
posted by caddis at 11:02 AM on April 27, 2007
posted by caddis at 11:02 AM on April 27, 2007
When I was a little kid, I was absolutely forbidden to listen to KISS, which of course stands for, "Knights in Satan's Service". It was eeeevil -- literally the Devil's Music. I hear it now, and it's not even, well, "heavy". It's silly, cheesy pop rock.
Rock on, Ace, you cheesy-ass evil pop devil worshipper, you...
posted by LordSludge at 11:08 AM on April 27, 2007
Rock on, Ace, you cheesy-ass evil pop devil worshipper, you...
posted by LordSludge at 11:08 AM on April 27, 2007
I never got KISS. I admit it. Not that I hated them or anything, they just didn't register for me. And I had a couple of friends who were KISS fanatics in middle school.
Until a couple of months ago, when I dvr'ed KISS live at the summit on vh1. When Paul came out for an encore of Black Diamond, I got goosebumps. Seriously. I finally understood what the fuss was all about. And I don't remember what song it was but Ace did a solo that was untouchable.
I'm not gonna buy any albums or anything, but wow, I will never dis KISS again.
posted by vronsky at 11:26 AM on April 27, 2007
Until a couple of months ago, when I dvr'ed KISS live at the summit on vh1. When Paul came out for an encore of Black Diamond, I got goosebumps. Seriously. I finally understood what the fuss was all about. And I don't remember what song it was but Ace did a solo that was untouchable.
I'm not gonna buy any albums or anything, but wow, I will never dis KISS again.
posted by vronsky at 11:26 AM on April 27, 2007
He was ever quotable, too:
"If I had known I would influence so many guitarists, I would have practiced more."
posted by psmealey at 11:32 AM on April 27, 2007
"If I had known I would influence so many guitarists, I would have practiced more."
posted by psmealey at 11:32 AM on April 27, 2007
I had an Ace Frehley cassette that I purchased at gas station in northern rural bumblefuck Minnesota somewhere on a whim. It was like a buck fifty in 1989.
I don't recall much about it except the line "If the devil wants to play his evil card game, he'll have to do it, without an Ace in his deck".
My friends and I, metallica/ozzy/anthrax fans of the first order were laughing our collective asses off for hours.
Guess you had to be there. :-)
That said, I never got the KISS thing, but "Burn, Bitch, Burn" was a pretty popular song among my crowd back then.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:58 AM on April 27, 2007
Wow, I'd forgotten just how awful he is. Thanks for reminding me.
posted by chuckdarwin at 12:10 PM on April 27, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 12:10 PM on April 27, 2007
The greatest soloist to ever live.
This is not a popular opinion amongst guitarists. But hell, I grew up loving KISS, and I still think his solos, while not the most technically impressive, are some of the tastiest I've ever heard. "Black Diamond" and "Detroit Rock City" are a couple that leap directly to mind. If I can ever play like that, I'll die a happy man.
Happy birthday, ya freak.
posted by malocchio at 12:11 PM on April 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
This is not a popular opinion amongst guitarists. But hell, I grew up loving KISS, and I still think his solos, while not the most technically impressive, are some of the tastiest I've ever heard. "Black Diamond" and "Detroit Rock City" are a couple that leap directly to mind. If I can ever play like that, I'll die a happy man.
Happy birthday, ya freak.
posted by malocchio at 12:11 PM on April 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
Malocchio,
My personal favorite is "Deuce" and man does it make me want to play air guitar every time.
posted by josher71 at 12:22 PM on April 27, 2007
My personal favorite is "Deuce" and man does it make me want to play air guitar every time.
posted by josher71 at 12:22 PM on April 27, 2007
If you don't want to watch all of the YouTube links, watch just the "Ace" link, which is just a montage of Ace footage set to the soundtrack of a song from his Kiss solo album. The lack of audio sync to video is somewhat jarring but it's a great montage and a great song. God I loved that album, played it over and over. Ah, to be 13 again. Hmm, on second thought, no thanks :)
posted by intermod at 12:35 PM on April 27, 2007
posted by intermod at 12:35 PM on April 27, 2007
When I got my first turntable on the occasion of my 9th birthday, Kiss Destroyer was in the pile of records that my mom got from the local record store (along with Steve Miller's Fly Like and Eagle, and Hotel California). The Kiss record was definitely my favorite of the lot. I played it faithfully all year, and then picked up Love Gun the next Christmas. By early the next spring, I had already moved on to the harder stuff (Sabbath and Led Zeppelin).
I kind of remember being embarrassed by the 6th grade that I ever really liked them, and was in full denial by the end of that year. It was already 1978, and by then I was listening to the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, while my school mates were rocking out to Foreigner and Peter Frampton. But, secretly, I had covertly acquired the three earlier albums (far and away their best stuff) and the first Alive record, and maintained my closeted enjoyment of them which lasted until about the 8th grade, when I just forgot about them.
They weren't by any stretch of the imagination a great band musically, but they could definitely put together a tightly crafted pop tune. Based on my age and impressionability when I first got into them and being the second band I ever loved (the first being the Beatles) they certainly did inform a lot of the power pop that I came to enjoy (and later, write).
posted by psmealey at 12:43 PM on April 27, 2007
I kind of remember being embarrassed by the 6th grade that I ever really liked them, and was in full denial by the end of that year. It was already 1978, and by then I was listening to the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, while my school mates were rocking out to Foreigner and Peter Frampton. But, secretly, I had covertly acquired the three earlier albums (far and away their best stuff) and the first Alive record, and maintained my closeted enjoyment of them which lasted until about the 8th grade, when I just forgot about them.
They weren't by any stretch of the imagination a great band musically, but they could definitely put together a tightly crafted pop tune. Based on my age and impressionability when I first got into them and being the second band I ever loved (the first being the Beatles) they certainly did inform a lot of the power pop that I came to enjoy (and later, write).
posted by psmealey at 12:43 PM on April 27, 2007
From a friend's blog:time well spent with Ace Frehley
Aah, the 90's. I remember them as if they were yesterday. I figured I'd share this timeless story with you, since all of my other friends seem to like it.
It was a winter night in 1990, back when the Pontiac Grill was J.C. Dobbs. It was open mike nite, Tues, and I was going to hang out. First, a quick trip to Wawa for smokes. I saw a girl I knew from the metal years, so I went over to say hi. Next thing I know, this giant, ugly man with bad skin said to me, "Do you know who I am?" I thought, "what fucking arrogance!". So I responded with a cool, "No, should I?". And he says, "yeah, I'm Ace Frehley." Well, I was a big Kiss fan in my younger years, but I had never seen Ace with no make-up. I, of course, was hesitant to believe him. I looked skeptically at the girl I knew, and she confirmed that he was really Ace.
He asked if I was going to Dobb's cause he was gonna jam with the house band. I told him I was. When I got there, I didn't pay too much attention to him because everyone else was. He then sought me out. He told me he had Ludes. I was very excited to hear that. He offered them to me.
They hadn't been around in years!!! I gladly accepted his offer. He got me pretty high and asked me to go back to his hotel with him. I was pretty grossed out by him and said no. I did, however, give him my phone number and told him to call if he wanted to hang out.
The next afternoon, I was telling my roommates that I met Ace the night before. I don't think that they really believed me. The phone rang. Carol, my roommate, answered. She ran toward me screaming, "Oh My God!!! Ace Frehley is on the phone, you fucking bitch!!" Ace and I chatted for a bit, and he asked me to meet him at Amazon that night (anyone remember that place?). I went and he fed me more Ludes. I accepted the hotel offer that night.
So, there we were. Ace and I at the Barclay all fucked up on ludes. He wanted to have sex. I said no and compromised with a bath. I wish I could remember the conversation in the bath, but the ludes have blocked it all from my memory. I do remember laughing really hard, so it must have been funny.
I ended up staying with him for 4 nights and not having sex with him. The last morning that I woke up with Ace was something I will never forget. I was still asleep, but I felt that my arm was moving up and down. I tried to roll over, but to no avail. Something had my arm. I opened my eyes to see what was going on. Ace had my hand wrapped around his dick, his hand was around my hand, tightening my grasp, and he was jerking himself off with my hand!! I screamed "What the fuck are you doing?!?!?!". He couldn't even justify it. He made a stupid comment something like, "Well, I had to get off somehow!". So, I got up, stole a hotel bathrobe and left. Ace gave me his phone number on my way out.
posted by The Straightener at 12:51 PM on April 27, 2007 [4 favorites]
Aah, the 90's. I remember them as if they were yesterday. I figured I'd share this timeless story with you, since all of my other friends seem to like it.
It was a winter night in 1990, back when the Pontiac Grill was J.C. Dobbs. It was open mike nite, Tues, and I was going to hang out. First, a quick trip to Wawa for smokes. I saw a girl I knew from the metal years, so I went over to say hi. Next thing I know, this giant, ugly man with bad skin said to me, "Do you know who I am?" I thought, "what fucking arrogance!". So I responded with a cool, "No, should I?". And he says, "yeah, I'm Ace Frehley." Well, I was a big Kiss fan in my younger years, but I had never seen Ace with no make-up. I, of course, was hesitant to believe him. I looked skeptically at the girl I knew, and she confirmed that he was really Ace.
He asked if I was going to Dobb's cause he was gonna jam with the house band. I told him I was. When I got there, I didn't pay too much attention to him because everyone else was. He then sought me out. He told me he had Ludes. I was very excited to hear that. He offered them to me.
They hadn't been around in years!!! I gladly accepted his offer. He got me pretty high and asked me to go back to his hotel with him. I was pretty grossed out by him and said no. I did, however, give him my phone number and told him to call if he wanted to hang out.
The next afternoon, I was telling my roommates that I met Ace the night before. I don't think that they really believed me. The phone rang. Carol, my roommate, answered. She ran toward me screaming, "Oh My God!!! Ace Frehley is on the phone, you fucking bitch!!" Ace and I chatted for a bit, and he asked me to meet him at Amazon that night (anyone remember that place?). I went and he fed me more Ludes. I accepted the hotel offer that night.
So, there we were. Ace and I at the Barclay all fucked up on ludes. He wanted to have sex. I said no and compromised with a bath. I wish I could remember the conversation in the bath, but the ludes have blocked it all from my memory. I do remember laughing really hard, so it must have been funny.
I ended up staying with him for 4 nights and not having sex with him. The last morning that I woke up with Ace was something I will never forget. I was still asleep, but I felt that my arm was moving up and down. I tried to roll over, but to no avail. Something had my arm. I opened my eyes to see what was going on. Ace had my hand wrapped around his dick, his hand was around my hand, tightening my grasp, and he was jerking himself off with my hand!! I screamed "What the fuck are you doing?!?!?!". He couldn't even justify it. He made a stupid comment something like, "Well, I had to get off somehow!". So, I got up, stole a hotel bathrobe and left. Ace gave me his phone number on my way out.
posted by The Straightener at 12:51 PM on April 27, 2007 [4 favorites]
That's as good as any tkchrist story, Straightener. Thanks for sharing that.
posted by psmealey at 12:57 PM on April 27, 2007
posted by psmealey at 12:57 PM on April 27, 2007
Ace had my hand wrapped around his dick, his hand was around my hand, tightening my grasp, and he was jerking himself off with my hand!!
Ahh, the old Reverse Dutch Rudder.Good times,good times...
I was a big KISS fan as a kid and then I drifted away from it until 1996. I went to see the original line-up (in full makeup etc...) and it was damn fun. Say what you want about KISS music but when you go to a show you do get your moneys worth.
posted by MikeMc at 1:09 PM on April 27, 2007
Ahh, the old Reverse Dutch Rudder.Good times,good times...
I was a big KISS fan as a kid and then I drifted away from it until 1996. I went to see the original line-up (in full makeup etc...) and it was damn fun. Say what you want about KISS music but when you go to a show you do get your moneys worth.
posted by MikeMc at 1:09 PM on April 27, 2007
Ahh, the old Reverse Dutch Rudder.
LOL. I think Ace calls that a "Rocket Ride".
posted by psmealey at 1:11 PM on April 27, 2007
LOL. I think Ace calls that a "Rocket Ride".
posted by psmealey at 1:11 PM on April 27, 2007
Hahaha, Straightener gave Ace blue balls. That's so cool.
posted by LordSludge at 2:40 PM on April 27, 2007
posted by LordSludge at 2:40 PM on April 27, 2007
Hahaha, Straightener gave Ace blue balls. That's so cool
I think the story is in fact far funnier if you cast me in the leading role (I imagine Ace trying work my gnarly bearpaws on his half flaccid shaft in a Lude induced blackout and have to chuckle) but I assure you that it was not me; it was an ex-junkie oldhead hammer type chick I know who has a collection of fantastic stories regarding her intrigues with F and G list 80s metal has beens.
posted by The Straightener at 5:56 PM on April 27, 2007
I think the story is in fact far funnier if you cast me in the leading role (I imagine Ace trying work my gnarly bearpaws on his half flaccid shaft in a Lude induced blackout and have to chuckle) but I assure you that it was not me; it was an ex-junkie oldhead hammer type chick I know who has a collection of fantastic stories regarding her intrigues with F and G list 80s metal has beens.
posted by The Straightener at 5:56 PM on April 27, 2007
Whoa... totally skipped the first line!
Hm.
Yep, I stand by my post. hehe
posted by LordSludge at 7:31 PM on April 27, 2007
Hm.
Yep, I stand by my post. hehe
posted by LordSludge at 7:31 PM on April 27, 2007
"This is a song about a torpedo. And a girl. I call it 'Torpedo Girl.'"
Actual Ace Frehley introduction that my husband still taunts me with ("I can't believe you dragged me down to Harpo's and paid good money to see 'this is a song about a torpedo....'")
For some good times, check out the Ace on Tom Snyder's show. It's fun watching Gene get pissed off because he's not the center of attention for a change.
posted by Oriole Adams at 8:34 PM on April 27, 2007
Actual Ace Frehley introduction that my husband still taunts me with ("I can't believe you dragged me down to Harpo's and paid good money to see 'this is a song about a torpedo....'")
For some good times, check out the Ace on Tom Snyder's show. It's fun watching Gene get pissed off because he's not the center of attention for a change.
posted by Oriole Adams at 8:34 PM on April 27, 2007
Thank you, Mr. Frehley, for introducing the world (and specifically: me) to the amazing song "New York Groove," by covering, nearly identically, the obscure Hello original.
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:05 PM on April 27, 2007
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:05 PM on April 27, 2007
I've got posters on the wall
My favorite rock group KISS
I've got Ace Frehley
I've got Peter Criss
Waiting there for me
Yes I do.
posted by good in a vacuum at 3:29 AM on April 28, 2007
My favorite rock group KISS
I've got Ace Frehley
I've got Peter Criss
Waiting there for me
Yes I do.
posted by good in a vacuum at 3:29 AM on April 28, 2007
Card Carrying member of the KISS Army since, what...1977?
Long live KISS! I have his solo cd in my collection.
posted by winks007 at 8:40 AM on April 29, 2007
Long live KISS! I have his solo cd in my collection.
posted by winks007 at 8:40 AM on April 29, 2007
I have his solo cd in my collection.
It was hands down the best of the four. By far.
posted by psmealey at 9:52 AM on April 29, 2007
It was hands down the best of the four. By far.
posted by psmealey at 9:52 AM on April 29, 2007
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posted by spicynuts at 10:42 AM on April 27, 2007