On this week's Loudini Rock & Roll Circus we dive in the the life and times of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Ace had an amazing career and life both in and out of KISS. We had a lot of fun telling some of his wacky rock and roll stories! Plus, what's us with the Mesa-Boogie Mark IIC reissue?  Did Cliff Williams play the wrong bass line on Back 'n Black.  And yes... Big Foot is real!

 

Loudini:

Ace Frehley:

🎸 Ace Frehley — The Spaceman of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Born Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, Ace is best known as the original lead guitarist and co-founder of KISS, one of the most iconic and theatrical rock bands of all time. His space-themed persona — “The Spaceman” — perfectly matched his cosmic sound, filled with fiery solos, heavy riffs, and wild stage energy that helped define KISS’s larger-than-life image.

Ace joined KISS in 1973, answering an ad in the Village Voice, and his unique, melodic playing quickly became a key part of the band’s signature sound. He wrote or co-wrote some of KISS’s most beloved tracks, including “Cold Gin,” “Shock Me,” “Parasite,” “Rocket Ride,” and “2,000 Man.” His solo on “Shock Me” — inspired by an onstage electrocution incident — is often cited as one of the great classic rock guitar solos of the 1970s.

In 1978, when each member of KISS released a solo album, Ace’s was the most commercially and critically successful of the four, producing the hit single “New York Groove,” which became a Top 20 hit and remains one of his signature songs.

Frehley left KISS in 1982, citing burnout and creative differences, but he returned for the band’s 1996 reunion tour — one of the biggest in rock history — and continued performing with KISS through the early 2000s. His solo career has remained active and prolific, highlighted by albums like “Frehley’s Comet” (1987), “Anomaly” (2009), “Space Invader” (2014), and “Spaceman” (2018).

Ace has influenced generations of guitarists with his blues-based phrasing, use of effects, and explosive personality, earning a reputation as both a showman and a genuinely innovative player. His signature Gibson Les Paul — often customized to shoot smoke or light up — became one of the most famous guitars in rock history.

Today, Ace Frehley is recognized not only as the original lead guitarist of KISS but as a solo artist who helped shape the sound and image of hard rock and glam metal. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of KISS

Solo-Career Highlights & Album Performance

Here are some of the key solo-albums, how they performed, and what stands out:

1978 – Ace Frehley

• Released September 18, 1978 on Casablanca. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• Included the hit single “New York Groove” (a cover of a song by Hello written by Russ Ballard). (acefrehley.fandom.com)
  
  
  
  


• Charted at No. 26 on the U.S. Billboard 200. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• It was certified Platinum (meaning shipments over 1 million in the U.S.). (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• Among the four simultaneous solo albums released by the original KISS members that day, Ace’s was the strongest commercially. (kiss.fandom.com)
  
  
  
  


• For your podcast: this album remains a key starting point — it showed that he could step outside KISS and have meaningful solo impact.
  
  
  
  

1980s – Frehley’s Comet (1987) & Trouble Walkin’ (1989)

• “Frehley’s Comet” (1987) is often considered his first major post-KISS solo band outing. It charted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• “Trouble Walkin’” (1989) featured guests (see below) and charted at No. 102. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• These albums came during a time of transition, and while commercially they didn’t match the ’78 record’s impact, they reinforced his solo identity.
  
  
  
  

2009 – Anomaly

• Released September 15, 2009. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• Debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• For the podcast: highlights his comeback era and his ability to still produce strong chart numbers decades after his initial success.
  
  
  
  

2014 – Space Invader

• Released August 18/19, 2014 via eOne. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• Achieved No. 9 on the Billboard 200 — the only solo album by a past or current KISS member to reach the Top 10. (Noise11.com)
  
  
  
  


• Very much a high point for his late-career solo work.
  
  
  
  

2024 – 10,000 Volts

• Released February 23, 2024. (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• Topped both the Hard Music and Rock Album Charts, and had strong international physical sales (e.g., #1 Sweden physical). (MNRK Heavy)
  
  
  
  


• Demonstrates his enduring appeal well into his 70s.
  
  
  
  

Summary of Sales/Impact

• The 1978 album remains his best-selling solo work (Platinum).
  
  
  
  


• While precise full sales numbers for all his solo albums are harder to validate publicly, some indication: his 2016 covers album Origins Vol. 1 had “150,000+ solo albums in the U.S. alone (75% physical)” according to a sell-sheet. (Axis)
  
  
  
  


• Chart performance indicates sustained relevance: from Top 30 (Anomaly) to Top 10 (Space Invader) to strong rock chart performance in 2024.
  
  
  
  

Key Takeaways for Podcast

• Ace proved that his solo career wasn’t a footnote — he had real commercial success and longevity.
  
  
  
  


• The 1978 debut set the bar.
  
  
  
  


• His later work (2014, 2024) shows he could still move units and connect with fans decades later.
  
  
  
  


• For your listeners: emphasize the consistency — a classic guitarist staying active, evolving, and achieving milestones across eras.
  
  
  
  

Guest Appearances, Collaborations & Covers

Ace’s solo career and side projects also feature a number of interesting collaborations and guest appearances:

• On Origins Vol. 1 (2016, covers album): guests included Paul Stanley (his KISS bandmate), Slash, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), John 5 (Rob Zombie / Marilyn Manson). (metalforcesmagazine.com)
  
  
  
  


• On Origins Vol. 2 (2020): guests included Lita Ford, Bruce Kulick (former KISS guitarist), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick). (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  


• He also guested on other artists’ projects: for example on the 2012 Bret Michaels solo album (playing lead solo) alongside Michael Anthony (Van Halen) and Joe Perry (Aerosmith). (BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
  
  
  
  


• On the 1994 Cat #1 by Peter Criss (his former bandmate in KISS), Ace played lead guitar on several tracks (“Bad Attitude”, “Walk the Line”, “Blue Moon Over Brooklyn”). (Wikipedia)
  
  
  
  

Significance for Your Podcast

• These collaborations show Ace reaching out and working with both his peers (old KISS members) and younger/associated rock stars — establishing credibility and relevance across generations.
  
  
  
  


• The presence of high-profile guests underscores the respect he had in the rock community.
  
  
  
  

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