Ace Frehley

Real Name:
Paul Daniel Frehley
Profile:
Born: April 27, 1951, Bronx, New York

Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley (pronounced /ˈfreɪli/) is an American musician best known as the original lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics. Frehley played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982.

After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of what was purported to be the band's Farewell Tour. His latest album, Origins, Volume 2, was released in September of 2020.

Frehley was born and raised in The Bronx, the youngest of three children. He has a sister Nancy and a brother Charles, a classical guitarist. As a youth, Frehley was in a New York street gang called The Duckies. 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 his 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, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who as his main influences.

Frehley did well in the arts department in high school. Later in 1993, he would use his graphic arts skills to produce art work from a computer and sell the work in an art gallery in New Jersey.

Frehley spent the early 1970s in a series of local bands including prog rockers Molimo who recorded an album for RCA in 1971. In late 1972, his best friend, Bob McAdams (co-author of the book Kiss & Tell), spotted an advertisement for a lead guitarist in the Village Voice and showed the ad to Frehley. Both McAdams and Frehley went to 10 East 23rd Street above the Live Bait Bar. Frehley auditioned for former Wicked Lester (2) members Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar) and Gene Simmons (bass guitar), and Peter Criss (drums). Frehley, who showed up wearing one red sneaker and one orange sneaker, was less than impressive visually, and they thought he was weird, but all three have later said that as soon as he plugged in, they knew he was the guy. About three weeks after Frehley auditioned, the new group named him their lead guitarist, and by January 1973, had decided on a name for the new group - KISS. Frehley designed the band's double-lightning-bolt logo. The band quickly decided to paint their faces for live performances, and Frehley decided to start painting silver stars on his eyes.

While KISS spent their early days rehearsing and playing in empty clubs, Frehley took a job as a part-time cab driver to pay his bills. In September 1973, Kiss began to receive a salary from new manager Bill Aucoin that paid each member $75 a week. This enabled Frehley to quit his job.

KISS released their debut album, KISS, in February 1974—Frehley's sole songwriting contribution was "Cold Gin". Due to Frehley's lack of confidence in his own singing voice, however, the vocals were performed by Simmons. Frehley wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs over the next few years but didn't record his 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.

As lead guitarist, Frehley was known for his frenetic, atmospheric playing, becoming one of the most popular guitarists in the 70s 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 double-album Alive! prompted them to pick up the instrument. Frehley is well recognized for using Gibson Les Paul guitars, including his custom converted guitars that appear to be on fire, and fill the stage full of smoke during his live guitar solo.

Along with the three other KISS members, Frehley released an eponymous solo album in 1978. His was the best-selling 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.

Frehley's 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 best time for KISS on a commercial level in the United States, they were only just beginning to take off in other countries (mostly in Australia, where Dynasty and Unmasked are their highest-selling albums). But 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 fired from 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 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, and also, 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 1982's greatest hits album Killers and studio album Creatures of the Night, he had no musical involvement with Killers, and only minimal input on Creatures Of The Night. Frehley's last appearances with the band were the video for "I Love it Loud," a series of European promotional appearances in November 1982 and a band interview with MTV in early 1983 promoting their world tour.

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. The group, whose name alternated between 'Ace Frehley' and Frehley's Comet, recorded a series of demos throughout 1984 and 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, and Frehley has gone on to release five more albums in the years since its release. He has just a second album of cover songs called Origins, Vol. 2.
Sites:
Aliases:
Variations:

Artist

Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions

Albums

NBLP 7121 Ace Frehley — Ace Frehley Kiss, Ace Frehley Kiss, Ace Frehley - Ace Frehley (Album) Casablanca NBLP 7121 Canada 1978 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
VIP-6577, VIP-6578, VIP-6579, VIP-6580 Kiss — Ace Frehley Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss - Kiss(4xLP, Album, Promo + Box) Casablanca, Casablanca, Casablanca, Casablanca VIP-6577, VIP-6578, VIP-6579, VIP-6580 Japan 1978 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
670 0052 Frehley's Comet — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Frehley's Comet (Album) Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide, Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide 670 0052 Brazil 1987 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
CD 82042 Trouble Walkin' — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Trouble Walkin' (Album) Megaforce Records, Atlantic, Atlantic CD 82042 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
SOM 211 Anomaly — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Anomaly (Album) Bronx Born Records SOM 211 Europe 2009 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
SPV 267660 CD Space Invader — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Space Invader (Album) Entertainment One SPV 267660 CD Germany 2014 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
EOM-LP-5473 Origins Vol.1 — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Origins Vol.1 (Album) eOne EOM-LP-5473 US 2016 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
SPV 778165 LP Spaceman — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Spaceman (Album) eOne SPV 778165 LP Europe 2018 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
VICP-65561 Origins Vol.2 — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Origins Vol.2 (Album) eOne Music VICP-65561 Japan 2020 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions

Singles & EPs

VIP-2669 New York Groove — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley New York Groove (Single) Casablanca VIP-2669 Japan 1978 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
Ld A 8043 New York Groove / Chase — Ace Frehley Kiss - Ace Frehley / Giorgio Moroder Kiss - Ace Frehley / Giorgio Moroder - New York Groove / Chase(7", Jukebox) Durium Ld A 8043 Italy 1978 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
6180 017 Eugene — Ace Frehley Crazy Joe* & Variable Speed Band*, Ace Frehley Crazy Joe* & Variable Speed Band*, Ace Frehley - Eugene (Single) Casablanca 6180 017 Germany 1980 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
A9255T, 786694 0 Into The Night — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Into The Night (Single) Atlantic A9255T, 786694 0 UK 1987 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
PR 2073 Rock Soldiers — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Rock Soldiers(12", Promo) Megaforce Worldwide, Atlantic PR 2073 US 1987 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
PR 2118 Calling To You — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Calling To You(12", Promo) Megaforce Worldwide, Atlantic PR 2118 US 1987 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
7 4-88788, 4-88788 Do Ya — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Do Ya (Single) Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide 7 4-88788, 4-88788 US 1989 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
MT-370 Take Me To The City / Dementikon Keppihumppa — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley / Eläkeläiset Ace Frehley / Eläkeläiset - Take Me To The City / Dementikon Keppihumppa Musical Tragedies MT-370 Germany 1997 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
none Outer Space — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Outer Space(CD, Single, Promo) Bronx Born Records none US 2009 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
EOM-SI-9788 Bronx Boy — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Bronx Boy (EP) eOne EOM-SI-9788 US 2018 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
EOM-LP-46398 Space Truckin' — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Space Truckin'(12", RSD, Pic) eOne EOM-LP-46398 US 2020 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
MNK SS-46770 The 21st Century Singles Collection — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley The 21st Century Singles Collection(Box + 7x7", Single, Mul) Melody Records LP, MNRK Heavy MNK SS-46770 Europe 2023 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions

Compilations

020286-1976-2 12 Picks — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley 12 Picks (Comp) Megaforce Worldwide 020286-1976-2 US 1997 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
02028619972 Loaded Deck — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Loaded Deck (Comp) Megaforce Worldwide 02028619972 US 1997 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
SPV 310-72260 2 Originals Of Ace Frehley (12 Picks / Loaded Deck) — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley 2 Originals Of Ace Frehley (12 Picks / Loaded Deck)(CD, Comp, RM + CD, Comp, RM + Comp) Steamhammer SPV 310-72260 Germany 2001 Sell This Version
Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions
MEGA2010 Greatest Hits Live — Ace Frehley Ace Frehley Greatest Hits Live (Comp, Album) Megaforce Records MEGA2010 US 2006 Sell This Version

Add Review

Mudslick

Mudslick

October 1, 2020
One my favorite guitar players and has made an impact on many others , Ace was the really rock star in Kiss .
vrp_pdx

vrp_pdx

May 13, 2016
I love this guy, long live Space Ace! "Shock me, make me feel better" ack!
jc4411

jc4411

August 20, 2014
Space Invader vinyl has been released in UK. Once my copy comes, I will add to database.

Videos (26)

Edit