XLog.com
By Scott Engel

We all have our heroes, the people that drive us to dream and strive for greatness. When I was growing up, it was Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for KISS. I was a major KISS fan, and today I am still a card-carrying member of the KISS Army. Yes, I actually do have a numbered card in my wallet.

KISS was more than just a band, they were a way of life, a positive beacon for a young man who was searching for answers. They showed their fans that you can always be unique and reach for the highest goals in life. Be your own person and never apologize for it. I always loved all four original members of KISS, for different reasons, and with Ace, it was about him always following his heart and being a survivor.

So when I was presented with the opportunity to interview Ace in early November, it was a great honor and pleasure. I strongly believe my pursuit of a Fantasy Sports career was spurred by the KISS messages of shooting for whatever you want in life, and believing in yourself no matter what the odds were. Of course, this was also an opportunity to give something back to Ace. I had always been a fan of his solo work as well, and was excited to receive a copy of his new memoirs “No Regrets”, a highly compelling new read for any rock and roll fan. So the chance to spread the word about his new book on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio, on the RotoExperts morning show, was an undertaking I enjoyed greatly.

In the audio excerpt below, Ace and I discuss the escapades detailed in his book, a trip through years of “crazy women, crazy parties” and much more. He touches on how the “KISS machine” almost made him lose his sense of self.  Ace details how sobriety has made him thankful about where he is now, and how he was into sports before he became a rock guitarist.

(Listen to the audio interview below) 

Some other interesting Space Ace quotes and tidbits from my full-length interview with him that aired recently.

• He did not cover it in the book, but Ace said he used to go on long 10-speed bike rides when he was younger, which gave him the stamina to take on constant touring and onstage performing later in life.
• On performing the national anthem at a Kansas City Chiefs game in 2009: “That was a rush. The fireworks caught me off guard.”

• On being sober for five years: “The sky’s the limit now. Hopefully I’m a powerful example to maybe some of the people that are struggling with addiction, too.”
• On former KISS bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who issued job applications at the audition where he first met them, a memory that elicited a laugh and a smile: “(Those guys can be a little out of control sometimes, in a different way.”
• On former bandmate and friend Peter Criss: “He battled breast cancer and came out on top.” Frehley mentioned he had heard Criss is working on his own book as well. “God Bless him.”
• On playing a drug dealer in the movie Remedy: “It’s not that far from the truth.” Then, after a loud cackle, “Only kidding folks!”
• “I could always crack John Belushi up.”
• On his appearance on the 1979 Tomorrow show with the late Tom Snyder, considered the ultimate interview in KISS fandom. “I adored (Tom) and he adored me. It was a crazy show. There was a lot of push and pull internally in the band.”
• Frehley also noted he is looking ahead to putting together his next album a follow-up to 2009’s Anomaly. He said that two or three songs that did not make it to the last album are ‘in the can” and he may do a Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix or 1950s cover tune. He promised his fans it would not be another 20-year wait for his next album.