Just got back from the Ace Frehley show at the HOB

[johnnie]

My buddy had free tickets and asked me to go. Typically I blow off stuff when people ask me to go, but figured it might be a decent time. With the exception of Ace saying "Hello St. Louis!" (I'm in Cleveland) it was a decent show. He later apologized...

You know, the guy is actually a really good guitar player when he doesn't have Gene and Paul breathing down his back. Yeah, his songs are a bit hokey, but he can really play. I have to say that I was a bit surprised by how good he actually is.

Just thought I would share. Comments are welcome.

[Redstone]

1. Who is "Ace Frehley," and why?

I'm not being sarcastic, just culturally oblivious.

Redstone

[johnnie]

3. Lead guitar player for the original Kiss

Yeah, I know, but seriously, he wasn't bad.

[theredpen]

5. When Kiss did their "solo" albums (one per member), Frehley's was the critic's favorite

I think he's always been recognized as the most talented of the group and the most serious musician.

[johnnie]

11. He did some pretty cool classical bits too

Not the best I have ever seen, but it was an enjoyable show.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Certainly in comparison with Gene Simmons, Ace was serious.

But in all truth, yes, I wouldn't be surprised if Ace was the most serious of the bunch.

Paul and Gene were in it as a lark and a money maker and way to fame.

Criss was in it for the money as well, though I think he also kind of cared about the music.

[Fenris]

19. I own the set on LP, and I can attest to this fact.

The others are unlistenable, even by KISS's bottom-barrel standard. Simmons' record is phenomenally awful (it has Helen Reddy on it), which is pretty much confirmation of everything you've always thought about Gene Simmons.

[MissMillie]

25. was that "Back in the New York Groove"?

man... I'm showing my age.....

[Redstone]

6. Oh, the guys with the makeup and the tongues. Thanks.

Redstone

[johnnie]

10. Well, it takes all kinds

I'm pretty much open to anything. I learned many years ago to not judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to music.

[Redstone]

13. I wasn't judging, just associating. When you've had as many concussions as I have,

it takes a bit of work to associate things.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Hey, johnnie!

I don't know this guy...

Should I look him up on YouTube?

Actually, it looks as though I should, given your comments!

Nice to see you tonight...

:hi:

[johnnie]

4. He was in Kiss

Like I said, his own songs are a bit hokey, but he was impressive as a guitar player tonight with his own band. I'm sure you remember the band Kiss? No?

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I sure do remember Kiss!

Even I have heard of Kiss, lol!

I'll check him out, and thanks...

:hi:

[tigereye]

7. a good buddy of mine always liked Frehley best -

back when no one else did.

:hi: how are ya?

[johnnie]

8. Hiya tigereye!

Good to see ya :hi:

[Name removed]

Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tigereye]

26. how are ya?

what's new?

[flvegan]

14. Ace Frehley is an incredible guitarist.

Kiss aside, and commercial success notwithstanding, Ace is one of my top 3 favorite axemen.

[johnnie]

16. If he gets out that way, it's worth seeing

He is playing a bunch of the House of Blues. They had him cranked all night being that he was "the dude" and he didn't hit one bad note the whole night. As I said, I went on a whim and he was pretty good when I was 14, but he really was impressive tonight. It was fun, and fun is always good.

[Kat45]

15. I'd be surprised myself.

I never thought much of the musicianship of Kiss. I'll have to give it a listen.

[johnnie]

17. They get a bad rap

Of course it isn't top notch musicianship and all, but for a basic rock band they weren't all that bad in the early days.

[Kat45]

18. Several musicians I interviewed in the 80s said Kiss was an influence.

I remember being quite surprised to hear Kiss being held up as an influence, particularly on musicians playing shit that I liked. :shrug:

[Fenris]

20. His songs *are* hokey, but he's a terrific guitarist if you can get past that.

KISS probably would have been a good band without Simmons and Stanley. Good old bar rock.

Hilariously, you can look on eBay and find a kit to make your pickup smoke like Ace's. That seems like something you'd want to deploy nonchalantly during a recording session. Accidental discharge!

[Steerpike]

21. There are two Rock bands that were truly overachievers.

I always thought that it was incrediable that The Sex Pistols and Kiss put out such seminal Rock and Roll albums. I mean the Sex Pistols were put together on a lark, basically a publicity stunt. And Kiss were just some clowns in fishnet stockings and platform shoes.
Yet, "never mind the bollocks" and "destroyer" are some of the most influential Rock and Roll albums of all times. I think the critics at the Rolling Stone always preferred "Kiss Alive!", but for my personal experience (from a teen in the 70's) everyone...absolutely everyone listened to Kiss Destroyer and loved every second of it and it's long haired headbanging glory. Welcome to the world of Rock and Roll...it's not just the Beatles and Montrose.

[jus_the_facts]

22. "I'm back....back in the New York GROOVE...."

:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JuSLn6nenE

...back in the late '80's I went to see Alice Cooper...Ace was supposed to be second headliner with Faster Pussycat opening the show...Ace didn't show up and we were bummed....but Alice was a TRIP regardless! :smoke:

[gbate]

23. This was another good one..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkA7gOBQllQ

[jus_the_facts]

24. Ahh yes....here's one more....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvTIkE6kGUo

:headbang:

[asthmaticeog]

27. Meh, Frehley sucks.

Actually, no he doesn't, I really like him. I just haven't seen you in awhile and I thought it'd be fun to make a weewee on your thread. :evilgrin:

That St. Louis thing is fuckin' hilarious.

[Lautremont]

28. He's coming around up my way, so maybe I'll check him out.

I know the guy who runs the venue, so maybe I can even negotiate an actual meeting with the fabled axeman aux maquillages.