Alas, although this is one of Ace’s most recognizable and kickass songs, he didn’t feel up to singing on it and handed that job to Gene Simmons. I know what you’re thinking: Ace Frehley wrote a song about alcohol? The hell you say! Yup, it’s true. Kudos also to drummer Anton Fig, who matches Frehley step for step in instrumental virtuosity. I can hardly blame the guy for thinking he could leave Kiss and find success as a solo artist based on this LP. In fact, the entire album is a scorcher from start to finish.
“Rip It Out” (from Ace Frehley, 1978)įrehley wasted absolutely no time blowing the doors off his Kiss bandmates on his 1978 solo album, one of four the band released in September of that year. Of course, he could have been fall-down drunk at the time anyway. Speaking of which, legend has it that Frehley was so unsure of his singing ability that he recorded his vocal track while lying on the floor. Not only is it an excellent tune, it’s notable for being Frehley’s recorded debut as a lead vocalist. Inspired by a near-electrocution at Kiss concert in December 1976, “Shock Me” has been Frehley’s signature song since it appeared on Kiss’s outstanding Love Gun album. They cover some of his best material from Kiss and his on-again off-again solo career. To prove my point, I’ve assembled a group of 10 Frehley compositions that showcase his unique songwriting and playing gifts. And he’s actually a very good songwriter when he puts his mind to it. It’s one of the big reasons Kiss became such a phenomenon in the ’70s, as much as Gene Simmons would like to forget it. While I would never make the argument that Frehley is one of the 10 or 20 greatest rock guitarists ever from a purely technical standpoint, I’ve always loved his playing style. I am firmly in the former camp, and have been for around 30 years. There are two groups of music fans when it comes to Kiss co-founder and all-around weird guy Ace Frehley - those who love his songs and those who only think they don’t love his songs.