Cameron | Hays Post

Ace Frehley’s most recent solo album, Space Invader, was released only about six months ago, but the ex-KISS guitarist already has started work a new record.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer tells Billboard that he’s recording a covers project that will feature songs by bands that inspired his own music.

“The album’s going to be about my influences,” explains Frehley.

“I’m probably going to do a Rolling Stones song, a Who song, possibly a Led Zeppelin song, maybe a Beatles song.  Stuff from bands that I grew up on and greatly influenced me.”

The 63-year-old rocker also says he’s recording new renditions of some vintage KISS material, as well as a track by his solo group Frehley’s Comet.

Ace has asked some famous fellow rockers to contribute their talents to the record, including Slash, Lita Ford and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, although it’s not clear if they’ve accepted the invitation.

Frehley also tells Billboard that he’s considering calling on his former KISS band mate Gene Simmons “to play bass on a track and sing with me.”

With regard to the KISS tunes he’s thinking about remaking for the album, Ace reports that he’s “probably going to redo both ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Parasite,’” which are songs that he wrote but that Simmons originally sang.

As for the project’s status, Frehley tells Billboard he plans to record six to eight more songs, then choose the 12 tracks he likes the best.

Frehley will be heading Down Under soon for a tour in support of Space Invader that kicks off April 24 in Wellington, New Zealand, and runs through a May 7 show in Mount Lawley, Australia.  He also has a European trek lined up in June.

Robin Leach | Las Vegas Sun

L.E. Baskow

A local author has penned an intriguing parody book and behind-the-scenes look at rock legend Gene Simmons. Packed with interesting facts, the tome “Gene Simmons Is a Powerful & Attractive Man — and Other Irrefutable Facts” is published by Plume Books from the Penguin Group and also is available as an eBook. Gene authorized the book and also wrote its foreword.

With tongue firmly planted in his cheek, Gene himself sets the tone of the book: “I have known Gene Simmons for a very long time. Over the years, I have witnessed astounding feats, met incredible people and seen amazing places, but none so astounding, incredible or amazing as Gene Simmons himself.

“I look at Gene Simmons, a 60-plus-year-old man with the energy and vitality of a teenager, and think he is exactly the living legend he always knew he would be. To this day, I am still Gene’s closest friend, ally, admirer and confidante. I am his biggest fan. So I can say with complete confidence that even now, Gene’s best is still yet to come. The best thing about Gene Simmons is that there will only ever be one. It’s been the honor of a lifetime knowing him.”

He admits in the book to sleeping with 5,000 women because he wanted “to get all the girls.” “There was only one reason why I made the decision to become a rock god: Girls!”

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