News Archive November 2009

Space Ace Has Still Got It
From: Sootoday.com
by Marc Capancioni
Posted: November 16, 2009

Faithful SooToday.com reader Marc Capancioni was kind enough to share his thoughts on and images from Ace Frehley's Friday night performance at Kewadin Casino's DreamMakers Theatre.

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At close to 60 years old, Ace Frehley is showing no signs of slowing down.

Though his face may be a bit more worn than it was when he wore the Spaceman makeup as the lead guitarist in KISS, Frehley can still rock out the licks with ease.

And claiming to be clean and sober today, unlike during much of his time with KISS, one could easily make the argument that his performance is better than it has ever been.

Frehley, on tour promoting his new album, Anomaly, played Kewadin Casino's DreamMakers Theatre on Friday night.

The less-than-capacity crowd was treated to a wide variety of tunes, some from his September release, some from his past solo albums and some from his days with KISS.

Along with tunes from his time with the Hottest Band in the World, Frehley also brought with him some of the gimmicks that caused him to rocket to the heights of popularity with KISS.

A guitar solo, in which his Gibson Les Paul spews smoke into the air, was arguably the highlight of the gig.

The special effect captivated audiences in the 1970s, and it still works today.

Frehley, a founding member of KISS, was with the band throughout the 1970s, performing in his trademarked Spaceman makeup, a persona he adopted based on his fascination with science fiction.

But by the early 80s, substance abuse led to him leaving the band to pursue a solo career.

Some reports claim he left, others say he was given the boot.

Regardless, he would release four solo albums throughout the 1980s to moderate success.

Fast forward a few years - in 1996, Frehley, along with original KISS drummer Peter Criss, rejoined Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in the band that made them all famous.

The boys would remain together through the new millennium, releasing albums and touring the world with much acclaim.

By 2002, many of the same problems that cast Frehley out of band in the 1980s had resurfaced.

In that year, he left KISS for the second time.

Today, Frehley remains a solo act.

His captivating performance in Sault, Michigan on Friday is proof that he still has a legion of fans behind him, even though he no longer dons his legendary Spaceman makeup as a member of KISS.

Meanwhile, for the KISS Army members in the crowd, many proudly displaying their loyalty with t-shirts and other paraphernalia, the Frehley show was a great warm up for Dec. 15, when KISS plays the Sault's Essar Centre.