Brian Aberback | NorthJersey.com
“I’m playing the album because the fans asked for it,” Frehley said. “I love interacting with them. It’s a holiday gift for the fans but it’s also going to be fun for me.”
Each member of Kiss released a solo album on the same day 40 years ago this past September as a marketing tactic and to give them a chance to branch out on their own. Frehley’s album was a critical and commercial success, outselling those of singer-bassist Simmons, singer-guitarist Stanley and drummer Peter Criss.
The effort includes Frehley’s signature anthem, “New York Groove,” and standouts “Rip It Out,” “Snow Blind” and “Ozone.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever performed “Ozone,” “Fractured Mirror” or “Wiped-Out” live,” he said. “Now that I’ve decided to do this I’m probably going to put together a nice show in a small theater and record a DVD.”
Frehley’s latest solo effort, “Spaceman,” was released in October. The disc features the guitarist’s laid-back vocals, muscular riffs and blistering, melodic solos. Highlights include “Without You I’m Nothing,” with a guest bass spot by Simmons; the anthemic “Rockin’ With the Boys”; the Eddie Money cover “I Wanna Go Back”; and the autobiographical “Bronx Boy.”
“I think growing up in the Bronx gave me street smarts,” Frehley said. “The old saying, ‘if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere’ isn’t that far-fetched.”
Frehley co-founded Kiss in 1973 and became known for his stage persona, the Spaceman, and his dramatic guitar solos replete with pyrotechnic displays. After leaving the group in 1982, Frehley released several solo albums.
He rejoined Kiss for its 1996 reunion tour and left the band again in 2002 to continue his solo career.
While Frehley’s relationship with his former band mates has been strained at times, they’ve reconnected in the past few years. In addition to Simmons performing on “Spaceman,” Stanley played on Frehley’s 2016 covers album, “Origins, Vol. 1.” In October, Frehley took the stage with Kiss on the band’s Kiss Kruise.
Yet Frehley doesn’t see himself participating in the band’s recently announced farewell tour.
“I haven’t been asked to do the tour and they’ve been promoting (current Kiss member) Tommy Thayer as the guitar player,” Frehley said. “Tommy has been pretty much copying everything I do for the last 15 years. Everybody tries to copy me, but there’s only one Ace Frehley.”
NJ Kiss Expo 2018 featuring Ace Frehley
When: 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Frehley will perform his 1978 solo album in its entirety at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Where: Hilton Parsippany, 1 Hilton Court
Tickets: Various packages available
Info: njkissexpo.com