What makes a guitar solo truly great? Is it sheer speed, jaw-dropping technicality or the kind of melody that lingers in your head long after the song is over? According to John 5, when it comes to crafting a solo you can sing along to, no one does it better than Ace Frehley.
In a new interview with Ultimate Guitar, the former Rob Zombie guitarist and current Mötley Crüe shredder explains why the original Kiss lead guitarist remains his favourite. For him, it all comes down to the power of early inspiration.
“It’s just when you’re little and you see something, it could be a sports figure, it could be a race car driver or a hockey player, baseball or basketball. But mine was Kiss, and that’s what inspired me to do what I’m doing today,” says John 5.
“And I’m glad because I think inspiration is one of the most important things in the world. Because it stays with you forever, and it can change your life forever, as well.”
He adds that Frehley’s melodic style – featuring those solos you could sing along to – is something younger guitar players would do well to learn from.
“I was inspired by… I always liked things ‘to the limit.’ To the pinnacle, to the absolute most,” says the guitarist. “Like, the fastest race car driver, the best this, the best that. And with guitar, I wanted to take it to the absolute top, top, top. And that’s why I like all the crazy shredding.”
“But I love Ace and I love all that stuff. You know, like, with the melodic solos. No one does it better than him. I’m just so happy I got to be inspired by all these great players.”