Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

Decorated producer/engineer offers a fascinating account of KISS’ pre-“Elder” sessions at Ace in the Hole Studio in early 1981, meeting Bob Ezrin and how the project ultimately relocated to Canada

In conjunction with KissFAQ’s month-long NovElder retrospective, award-winning producer/engineer Rob Freeman discussed KISS’ pre-“Elder” sessions at Ace in the Hole Studio in early 1981, his recollections of the recording of the underground KISS classic “Nowhere To Run,” meeting Bob Ezrin, and how KISS’ 1981 project ultimately moved on to Canada. Freeman also shared his thoughts on the “Music From The Elder” album.

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

How he came to work with KISS in 1981:

KissFAQ: How is it that you got to work on the project with KISS?

Rob Freeman: The first project I worked on for KISS was Ace’s solo album for Casablanca Records, Ace Frehley, which I recorded and mixed with producer Eddie Kramer in 1978. The album achieved a good degree of commercial success, with multi-platinum sales and a hit single, “New York Groove.” It also garnered critical acclaim. But I believe it was the distinctive sonic character of the album that drew the attention of Ace’s band mates and others in the KISS organization to my work (I’m in no way meaning to understate Eddie’s unique contributions). Over the ensuing couple of years, I worked on a variety of smaller projects for the KISS organization such as radio spots and demos. Also during that time, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to design and install a 4-track home studio and a state-of-the-art home theater system in Paul Stanley’s uptown NYC condo.

Then in December 1980, someone from the KISS office rang me up and asked if I would work with the band on a new recording project. I heard it might be for a new album, and naturally I was thrilled at the prospect of working with KISS again. In early January 1981, I
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