ACE FREHLEY - ROCK SOLDIER - The Metal Channel

In my opinion, Ace had already established himself as a premier guitarist. Didn’t that earn him the right to do what he wanted?

I will admit I was hesitant to write this article. I understand Ace Frehley was an iconic figure and a great guitarist, but I’ve never really been a fan of KISS. I’ve seen them in concert a couple times, but that was in the mid/late ‘80s and by that time Ace Frehley was out of the band. I’ve always thought of KISS as a bunch of money grubbing high and mighty assholes who never really cared about their fans. They were more concerned about big business than true entertainment. Every artist I’ve even known has been in it to entertain, period. It’s never about the money, especially in heavy metal, many of these entertainers would jump on stage and play for free.

I’ve often heard that Ace was never a part of that ridiculous KISS mentality and that’s why I latched onto him when he released his second studio album (his first after leaving KISS) entitled, Frehley’s Comet, back in 1987.

The history of Frehley’s Comet was mired in controversy seemingly from its inception. Even though Ace left Kiss in 1982, he retained a one-quarter share in KISS and could not release any solo projects until 1985 without losing his share. This agreement, combined with numerous arrests (Drugs & Alcohol) put a damper on any momentum Ace had in place with musicians he’d been jamming with prior to leaving KISS. It must have seemed like any solo effort was nothing but a dream.

However, in November of 1986 Ace Frehley signs a record deal with Megaforce Records. This was supposedly the result of television and radio personality, Eddie Trunk, convincing Megaforce founder, Joe Zazula (Johnny Z), to take a meeting with Ace.

The first album released was Frehley’s Comet (1987). This is my personal favorite, aside from his work on Destroyer (1976) and his famed solo album Ace Frehley (1978).

Frehley’s Comet released two music videos: “Into The Night” & “Rock Soldiers” to hype this effort and that’s what got me hooked. After seeing them a couple of times in MTV’s rotation, I went out and picked up the album.

Detractors will tell you Ace was swayed into replicating the keyboard-sweetened hair-metal style which ruled in 1987 instead of featuring a guitar-fueled heavy metal sound, but I say, so what? I think this approach worked for Ace. It allowed him to reach more fans, further his career and make some money. In my opinion, Ace had already established himself as a premier guitarist. Didn’t that earn him the right to do what he wanted? Highlight tracks for me are: “Rock Soldiers”, “Into The Night”, “We Got Your Rock” and “Love Me Right” and “Dolls”.

On a final note, I wanted to mention I was able to see Ace play live on this tour at the Aragon Ballroom (1106 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL). Some of the featured tracks were recorded live and released later as an EP entitled: Frehley’s Comet – Live +1, this was released back in early 1988.

Ace went on to release one more album under the Frehley’s Comet moniker, Second Sighting (1988). While this album wasn’t as memorable as the self-titled debut, it was non the less successful.

Ace Frehley ended Frehley’s Comet primarily due to his ongoing struggles with drugs and alcohol. This reliance on substance abuse impacted his ability to perform and tour.

Many would argue that KISS wasn’t the same band without Frehley. Even though I did not get to enjoy KISS with that line-up, Ace’s solo work made me a fan. From everything I read about the man, interviews and such, I get the impression he was a ‘laid back guy’. All things considered it’s easy to understand how he may have been overshadowed by the huge egos of Stanley (Paul Stanley – Guitar/Vocals) and Simmons (Bass/Vocals).