Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS, is synonymous with rock guitar innovation and spectacular stage presence. His “Kiss Guitar” sound and visual theatrics have captivated audiences for decades. But beyond the makeup and costumes, who is Ace Frehley the musician? In this exclusive interview, we delve into the mind of this guitar icon, exploring his approach to performance, his groundbreaking guitar techniques, and his journey both within and beyond the legendary band KISS.
Onstage Persona vs. Reality: The Man Behind the Makeup
Many fans wonder if the larger-than-life stage persona of Ace Frehley is vastly different from his everyday self. Frehley offers a grounded perspective. “Well, when you have the costume on and the makeup on, you have it on,” he explains, demystifying the transformation. However, he emphasizes the immediate connection with the audience once he takes the stage. “But when you look out, all you see is the audience.” This suggests that while the visual presentation is part of the show, his focus remains on the musical exchange with the fans. When asked if he feels like a different person in makeup, he laughs, “I don’t feel that different, no. I keep everything in perspective.” This down-to-earth attitude highlights a consistent personality beneath the rock star image, reinforcing his authenticity as a musician.
Fame and Recognition: Life Beyond the KISS Stage
The fame associated with KISS is undeniable, but how does it affect daily life? Frehley shares relatable anecdotes about navigating public recognition. “Yeah, I went to McDonald’s twice this week and nobody recognized me,” he reveals, illustrating the unpredictable nature of fame. He acknowledges the touch-and-go aspect of being recognized, contrasting his anonymous McDonald’s visits with an incident at an amusement park. “I went to an amusement park this summer and I got attacked by a bunch of kids—they recognized me.” These experiences highlight the fluctuating levels of fame and the sometimes overwhelming enthusiasm of KISS fans, showcasing the impact of the “kiss guitar” icon in popular culture.
The Smoking Guitar: A Signature Effect
One of Ace Frehley’s most iconic contributions to the “kiss guitar” legacy is undoubtedly his smoking guitar. He details the innovative development of this effect: “Well, it is something that me and our engineer developed together.” The idea originated from Frehley himself: “Basically it was my idea that I wanted to have a smoking guitar, and it smokes, you know?” He explains the mechanics with a touch of humor: “It works with a smoke bomb; I mean, how do you think it works?” Describing the guitar’s modification, he says, “There is an area in the back that was reamed out, and there’s a plate covering it. The smoke bomb is inside, and I trigger it with a button.” Frehley concludes with a confident assessment of the effect: “It looks terrific, doesn’t it?” Indeed, the smoking guitar remains a visually stunning and memorable element of his performances, forever linked to the “kiss guitar” spectacle.
Balancing Theatrics and Musicianship: The Art of Rock Performance
The elaborate theatrics of KISS, while a major draw, sometimes raise questions about whether the musical artistry gets overshadowed. Frehley candidly addresses this: “I think it might to an extent. Unfortunately, I have felt frustrated at times.” He recalls early experiences where strong musical performances were sometimes overlooked if the theatrics were exceptional. Conversely, technical glitches in the special effects could negatively impact audience reaction even with a solid musical performance. “You are dealing with people reacting to not only music but also special effects, and in some cases they are reacting to special effects more than to the music.” This duality presents a unique challenge for a musician in KISS. “Sometimes the music gets lost in the barrage of bombs and lights,” Frehley admits. However, he acknowledges the band’s primary goal: “But the main reason we are involved in the group is entertainment, and we seem to be giving a lot of people enjoyment, and a lot of people get off on the show.” He finds a balance, recognizing the give-and-take nature of their performance style. “I am sure I could play better if I didn’t move around–just stood still like most guitar players do. I’d definitely be much more proficient, but you’ve got to give and take a little.” This perspective reflects a seasoned performer who understands the multifaceted nature of rock entertainment and the “kiss guitar” experience.
Solo Album Genesis: Branching Out Creatively
Beyond KISS, each member ventured into solo albums, and Frehley explains the organic evolution of this idea. “It was a gradual thing. I think everybody kind of wanted to do solo efforts for some time. It wasn’t like a brainstorm, you know.” The desire for individual creative expression was a driving force. “Everybody wanted to do their own stuff. I think it was a good time to do it.” This initiative allowed each member to explore their musical identities outside the collective KISS framework, further enriching the “kiss guitar” soundscape with individual flavors.
Working with Eddie Kramer: A Trusted Collaborator
Choosing the right producer for a solo album is crucial, and Frehley’s choice of Eddie Kramer was based on a strong existing relationship. “He had worked with Kiss on many albums prior to my own album, and I felt comfortable with Eddie.” This familiarity was especially important given Frehley’s vocal self-consciousness. “I was insecure as a solo artist because I don’t consider myself a lead vocalist, and the only two lead vocals I had ever recorded prior to my own effort were with Eddie.” He cites their previous collaborations on KISS tracks: “Rocket Ride” and “Shock Me”. “He helped my head out. I didn’t want to face a strange producer who wouldn’t know all of my idiosyncrasies.” Kramer’s understanding and supportive approach were vital in helping Frehley step into the role of a solo artist, shaping the sound of his “kiss guitar” on the album.
Hendrix Influence and Backwards Solo: Creative Experimentation in the Studio
Ace Frehley’s solo work is marked by creative studio experimentation, exemplified by the backwards guitar solo on ‘Speeding Back to My Baby.’ He reveals the inspiration: “On ‘Speeding Back to My Baby,’ right at the beginning of the solo there is a Jimi Hendrix flavor. Is that part recorded backwards?” Confirming the technique, he laughs, “Yeah, definitely.” The idea emerged organically during recording. “I cut a solo and I said to Eddie, ‘Eddie. maybe we should try a back-wards part here.’” The backwards effect was conceptually linked to the song’s automotive theme. “I thought that it would go with the sounds of the cars on the choruses and towards the end of the song. They are Ferraris, by the way.” The technical process involved engineer Rob Freeman and meticulous syncing of reversed audio. “We tried playing a mediocre solo backwards and [engineer] Rob Freeman transferred it to a half-track. On unused tracks, when the part came up, he started up the other machine backwards to sync it up, and he hit it the first time.” The result was unexpectedly successful. “The parts fit perfectly, and that’s what came out. Then we reedited certain sections of it. The intro came in just fabulous, which was the end of the original solo.” Frehley expresses his satisfaction with the outcome. “I was really happy with the way it came out–it just rips at the intro. It’s funny, because it was the end of the solo and I was all out of ideas, but you turn it around and there is new life to it.” This anecdote showcases Frehley’s willingness to push creative boundaries and experiment with sound, contributing to the innovative spirit of “kiss guitar.”
Songwriting Contributions to KISS: Behind the Hits
While primarily known for his guitar work, Frehley has also contributed to KISS’s songwriting catalog, though less prolifically than Paul Stanley or Gene Simmons. “You wrote most of the material on the album; have you written much for Kiss?” He responds, “Not too much. One or two songs on an album here or there, you know. Probably out of all the Kiss albums I have only written six, seven, or eight songs.” Despite not being the primary songwriter, his contributions include iconic tracks like ‘Shock Me,” “Rocket Ride,” and “Cold Gin,” demonstrating his impact on the band’s sound beyond just guitar playing and solidifying his place in “kiss guitar” history.
Guitar Synthesizer Experimentation: Embracing Technology
Always forward-thinking, Frehley explored guitar synthesizers early in his solo career. When asked about synthesizer use, he initially hesitates with a laugh: “Are you going to print this [laughs]’?” He then reveals his experience with the ARP Avatar. “I really don’t want to endorse the people, but what the hell—I used an ARP Avatar, I called them up and told them that I wanted to use their synthesizer and said that I would endorse it for them, and they said, ah, well, you know, they’d take $150 off the price, $200 maybe, and I said, Oh, I won’t bother then. If they want to take a few hundred dollars off, big deal.” This humorous anecdote highlights his pragmatic approach to endorsements. He sees synthesizers as a natural progression in guitar technology. “Does the synthesizer represent the diretion in which the guitar is going?” Frehley answers, “I don’t think there’s any way you can get around it, with the way technology is going. I know that on the next tour I may be taking my synthesizer out with me. There’s just so much you can do with it. I only use it for one or two songs, but even if I just use it for my guitar solo it’d be worth it, because it can really broaden your horizons as a musician.” His openness to new technologies demonstrates a continuous evolution of the “kiss guitar” sound, embracing innovation while staying true to his rock roots.
Favorite KISS Solos: Guitar Highlights
Reflecting on his extensive work with KISS, Frehley points out some favorite guitar solos that showcase his playing. “Your solos on “I’m In Need of Love” and “Snow Blind” on Ace Frehley are especially hot,’ do you have certain favorite cuts that you have done with Kiss that showcase your playing?” He mentions an early classic: “I like “Firehouse,” on the first album [KISS].” And a later favorite: “More recently I like “Detroit Rock City” [Destroyer]. That was like a multitude of guitars I overdubbed to get that effect.” These selections offer a glimpse into Frehley’s own preferences and highlight different eras and styles within his “kiss guitar” journey with KISS.
Overdubbing in KISS Recordings: Efficiency vs. Perfection
The recording process within KISS often involved time constraints, impacting the approach to guitar overdubs. “Do you overdub very often with Kiss?” Frehley explains, “Not too often. We try to keep it to a minimum. We’re on such a rigid schedule that I have never really had time to do as much as I wanted to do. There is always a deadline that we have to meet. I’ve always felt rushed; I’ve never felt at ease, especially since I haven’t been writing the majority of the material. Usually the writer of the song has the final say. If he has the idea, then he will have the time to explore that idea, whether it is a vocal concept or something to do with strings or percussion. Usually with Paul or Gene, if they write a song and call me up and tell me to come in and do a solo, and if it doesn’t happen to my best ability, a lot of times I don’t have a chance to do it a second time. Usually it’s rush, rush, rush.” This reveals the pressure-cooker environment of recording KISS albums and the limitations it placed on Frehley’s creative exploration in the studio, contrasting with the more relaxed pace of his solo work and the development of his “kiss guitar” sound.
KISS Album Recording Time vs. Solo Album: Creative Freedom
The time allocated for recording significantly differed between KISS albums and Frehley’s solo project. “How long does it take to record a KISS album?” He answers, “It varies; we have done Kiss albums in two or three weeks to a month.” His solo album allowed for a much more expansive timeframe. “My solo album took me about two months—that was me working six days a week, 12 hours a day, Jesus, but I enjoyed every minute of it.” This extended time frame provided creative freedom and control, allowing Frehley to fully realize his artistic vision and refine his “kiss guitar” expression without the constraints of the KISS schedule.
Acoustic Guitars on Solo Album: Expanding Sonic Palettes
Frehley’s solo album showcased a broader sonic palette, including acoustic elements. “What kind of acoustic guitar do you use on “Ozone’’ and “What’s on Your Mind?’’” He identifies the instrument: “Guild 12-string.” When asked for the model, he specifies, “It’s the top of the line; it has pearl inlays. It’s the big-body Guild, the real big one.” This detail highlights his attention to instrument choice and the use of acoustic textures to enrich his solo work beyond the signature “kiss guitar” electric sound.
Guitar Collection: A Guitarist’s Arsenal
A true guitar enthusiast, Ace Frehley has amassed a substantial collection. “How many guitars do you have?” He estimates, “I have about 80 or 85 now.” For his solo album, he utilized a significant portion of this collection. “I used around 25 of them to record the solo album with— eight acoustics and a variety of electrics.” Among his electric guitars, one stood out as particularly inspiring: “The one I used the most is a new guitar for me, an old ‘59 sunburst Gibson Les Paul with a curly maple top. It really inspired me to play some of those solos.” This prized ’59 Les Paul became a central tool in shaping the “kiss guitar” tones on his solo record, reflecting the deep connection between guitarist and instrument.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Ace Frehley and the “Kiss Guitar”
Ace Frehley’s journey as a guitarist is a compelling narrative of rock and roll innovation, stagecraft mastery, and artistic exploration. From pioneering the smoking guitar to crafting memorable solos within KISS and beyond, his contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of guitar music. His willingness to experiment, embrace technology, and balance theatrics with genuine musicality defines his unique “kiss guitar” legacy. Through his experiences and insights, we gain a deeper appreciation for the man behind the makeup and the enduring power of his guitar artistry.
