Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

KissFAQ has conducted an interview with legendary studio architect/acoustician John Storyk. Storyk, who designed the famed Electric Lady Studios, discussed the design and construction of Ace Frehley’s Ace in the Hole Studio in Wilton, Conn., a project that began in 1979 and ultimately took approximately one year. Storyk recalled his initial consultation with Frehley, the challenges of this particular studio design, the budget, and more.

The following are excerpts from Storyk’s interview with KissFAQ’s Tim McPhate:

KissFAQ: John, how did you come to be contracted to design Ace Frehley’s studio? Was it through Eddie Kramer?

John Storyk: Yes. I’m 99.9 percent sure this is correct. At the time Eddie was very involved with KISS as you know. He did a number of their albums and I think he was pretty close with Ace. Ace had, more or less, just gotten his new home in Connecticut, right on the Connecticut-New York border, and wanted his own studio. And Eddie and I, of course, had been friends since 1969. He’s my daughter’s godfather. Basically, Eddie said to Ace, “This is the only guy to do it.” And Ace said, “Great. Let’s do it.” And I remember he sent a limousine to pick me up and I went up to his house up in Wilton, he had already moved into the house. And he basically outlined that he wanted a private home studio.

KF:  According to “KISS & Sell,” a book authored by KISS’ former business manager Christopher Lendt, “Ace’s dream was to have a recording studio in his home.” Was this how you recall the project being described to you?

JS: 100 percent. You know, it’s kind of funny because artists having their own studios at home now is like buying a loaf of bread. It’s an every day occurrence. It’s not a big deal. Then it was a slightly new idea for an artist to have a “commercial-grade” studio. When I Continue reading →