Ace Frehley - No Regrets - Reviewed

[Dark Shadow]

Is it your opinion that Tommy & Eric are incapable of being innovative, or could it be that they are simply not permitted the opportunity to bring anything extraordinarily new to the table?

How innovative were Ace & Pete between 1996 & 2002/2003? Seems to me that Eric & Tommy are held by the same restraints that Ace & Pete were during the reunion period. If that's the case, is it fair to hold Tommy & Eric to a higher standard or expectation than Ace & Pete (post reunion)?

Kulick's largest innovative contribution was his virtual free reign efforts on the album Carnival of Souls, the only album in KISS's history which decidedly wallows in despair & misery instead of offering an optimistic celebration of life. Innovation does not always lead to a better product.

[jimsmegos]

I'm not saying that what both Tommy Thayer ot Eric Singer bring to the stage isn't worthy of applause but they aren't innovators like the previous lineups (this of course includes, Eric Carr, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John and ESPECIALLY Bruce Kulick).

[Dark Shadow]

Having seen KISS live without Paul Stanley and witnessing Tommy Thayer step up & bust his butt to actually carry the rest of the band through that show, I have to say that downplaying his contribution & capabilities is really quite unfair.

[jimsmegos]

I look forward to your take Tom. I think you'll be surprised when you read Ace's on Gene considering your account.

[MIB41]

I'm buying the book this weekend and will see how it reads for myself. I enjoy reading positive reviews and I liked Jim's thoughts on the book. I think everyone has an opinion when it comes to KISS. And because of that, your going to get out of this book, pretty much what you bring to it. If your expectations are lofty, then I suspect you will be disappointed. Too many people go into these books looking for a confessional. They expect these public figures to lower their heads and say, "I screwed up and I'm sorry. Oh but here's the dirt so you can judge me anyway." It's very easy to sit back and cherry pick the lives of people we don't know and say, "I would have done that differently." But the truth is as much as we would like to think we know these people, we don't. I met Gene Simmons and he was NOTHING like the guy I saw on TV, be it in KISS or the reality show. He was very soft spoken, respectful, and thoughtful. But his ego was nonexistent. He also struck me as being somewhat timid. He seems nervous in crowds. But turn those cameras on and he creates a character for television that wasn't there moments ago. So when I see Gene on TV, I see "product". I don't see the real man in KISS anymore than I see the real man on Family Jewels. It's a character he plays and that's what we see.

Ace is an enigma as well. He's colorful and a little whacky. But that doesn't mean I can speak for his life or career. As a fan I have my opinions and I have expressed those here. But I don't think you'll get any two people to agree on every aspect of a book concerning his life. It's very subjective. So, in my eyes, I think it would be more interesting to read the book and just share what you got out of it, rather than comparing notes and grading another person's thoughts. Every opinion counts in some measure because we're all fans. Just my two cents.

[Cosmicman]

Did he mention that Tommy Thayer had to reteach him how to play his own guitar licks for the Kiss reunion tour?.

I’m pretty sure that was not because Ace sucked or lacked any mental aptitude to preserve his personal music “he wrote”. For the duration of that “Kiss Reunion” era, Tommy Thayer was just a “goto man” and he ran around “KISS Avenue” as their “gofer boy”.

Previous to all of that Tommy Thayer was in the band Black and Blue as their lead guitarist. Gene Simmons was in charge and created that project and tried to get it on its way more than a few times and it was good but it didn’t catch the media’s eye and it went into the toilet but I’m sure Jamie St. James will tell you different.
Additionally to the band Black and Blue, Tommy was also in a Kiss Tribute band on the side to make money. Black and Blue was not a big bread winner and Gene Simmons knew that and he recognized something in Tommy Thayer which proved useful years later when Ace Frehley left that band.


Finally at some point he told Tommy, “look dude, your band is never going to go anyplace. Why don’t you journey on board the KISS thing with me and I’ll get you a job that will make you authentic money.” Thus, Tommy Thayer became the “gofer boy” for many years. As well as the main administrator of setting up and packaging a few Kiss box sets by organizing pictures and song track listings. He really was not anything at that point in Kiss but the “gofer boy.”

In the “Kiss Reunion’s” early stages; Ace had not played some of those songs in many years and had taken a "leave of absence" for private reasons from the music scene up until that point.
It wasn't for the reason that Ace was an idiot and had to have the great Tommy Thayer show him how to play his material once more.

OK this is my opinion and what I put together after reading an assortment of KISS books and articles. I kind of identify what happened (or in my opinion if you are a musician)
I've been at band practice and our guitar player has to relearn an old song or a cover song we used to play for an approaching show. One or two of the original songs he may have wrote himself and he'll from time to time look to me or the bass player and ask, "how did that riff go" and one of us will be reminiscent to him.

I'm pretty sure that's how the notorious Tommy Thayer had to reteach Ace his licks story was all about.
I have seen Ace an abundant times live and I know he isn't a guitar flop. He may have had some substance addictions in the past (and problem still does) but he rocks and he likes to do his own thing....hence Kiss.
He in recent times had dinner with Gene Simmons (so it sounds like that there is no real ill will in the KISS family).
A lot of the media likes to take the negligible of things and extend it out to make it sound like it was something dreadful. I have a feeling Ace Frehley is proficient of playing his own licks just required a reminder that day.
Remember thirteen some years is a long time to remember something note for note. And Tommy Thayer was fresh off the KISS Tribute band thing playing ACE. Which later landed him a role as ACE. (I know that sounds strange but true).
Tommy Thayer is a good guitar player but he isn’t Ace. I love the most recent KISS album with Tommy on it and I have learned to like all of the Kiss guitar players that came in after Ace. Ace just likes to do his own thing but I’m pretty sure we have not seen the last of Ace with Kiss with some of the rumors I have read/heard.

[Mikey]

I'm not really a KISS fan so I don't know many details but I heard Ace is super anti-Semitic right in Gene and Pauls faces and that's a big thing that puts them off to him.

If that's true I can see why they can't get along with him.

[Werewolf]

But if you want to get into a whizzing contest,

There is no whizzing contest. I respectfully disagree with some of your opinions. Like calling Kiss without Ace or Peter a tribute band. I do not believe that is accurate, objective or fair.

Another point I was making, in a review, you can't have it both ways.

"Being that I am a fanboy of Ace one would think that my credibility in offering an objective review would be in jeopardy. I hope by this part of the process you see that is not the case"

You can review it as a fan of Ace, which is perfectly valid, or you can do it objectively. Also, discussing the book, or Kiss, doesn't mean we have a stake in its or their success. The book's success or failure has no effect on us.

Darkshadow: great post.

[Brad]

Shouldn't a thread about Ace Frehley be under the Sci-Fi heading?

I love Ace Frehley, I really do. Back in the day, he had a stellar stage presence, a fun-loving personality & his hypnotic leads were, without question, instumental (pardon the pun) to the signature sound of KISS.

Unfortunately, Ace couldn't hold the smoke. He has outright admitted that he could not handle the pressures that come with constant touring. He also admits, point blank, that he does not have a head for business and cannot cope with conflict. When the going gets tough, self-admittedly, Ace prefers to take the nearest escape route...a classic substance abuser characteristic.

All of that is fine. We all have our strengths & weaknesses. What bugs me is that Ace continues to publicly assign blame outside of himself for his shortcomings and refuses to accept personal responsibility for his destructive behavior & and the impact his actions had on those around him.

No Regrets? A substance abuser, a lifelong substance abuser, has no regrets? Really? What about what he put his daughter through? His wife? His family? Those closest to him? His bandmates? His accident victims? Hotel proprietors ?

When asked in a recent interview what he would do differently, he states that he would have gotten sober sooner (prior to his first departure in '82). His reasoning is that he thinks that if he weren't constantly wasted he would have been able to negotiate & debate more effectively with Paul & Gene and would never have had to leave the band.

Sounds like one hell of a regret to me, not to mention a subconscious admission that he was ultimately the problem, not Gene & Paul.

Still can't help but love the guy, and I do think that he'll eventually arrive at self-acceptance. I just hope it's sooner than later cuz I'd hate to see him fall off the wagon yet again.

Spot on!!! I couldn't have said that any better and I agree with you. I am a fan of Gene and Paul first and foremost so to see Ace place any blame on them is laughable to me. Ace's biggest enemy is Ace. Hopefully someday he will fully realize this.

[jimsmegos]

It's his opinion of what happened and nothing more and by his own admission, which he has stated numerous times, his recollection of the era is spotty at best.

Have you read it? I'm not being snippy in asking that I'm just confused as to where your getting the opinion aspect of your points. He does offer up some opinions to a point but he really doesn't 'blame' everyone else for his personal problems. In most cases though you find Ace taking the responsibility for his actions.

Ace has had limited solo success out of Kiss and Peter has had none. To call any non Peter and Ace era of Kiss a tribute band isn't remotely fair. Eric Carr was in the band much longer than Ace or Peter and doesn't get enough credit for it. Also, in my opinion, if there is a true unsung hero or heart and soul of Kiss, it's Paul. The band went on fine when Ace and Peter were being credited on albums done by studio musicians and went on fine after they officially left. The band went on during Gene's I want to be actor phase. The only one I see is irreplacable is Paul. No Paul, No Kiss.

In my opinion to have anything released nationally is success in the music biz. But if you want to get into a whizzing contest, success has not fallen on Gene or Paul's efforts outside of KISS either. Mind you Gene's 'reality' TV show is a moderate hit but that's because its well planned and feeds into peoples need for 'real' TV. And to clarify in the tribute band statement I mean the KISS of NOW with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. I'm sorry, they are pretending to be Ace and Peter. Period. If KISS was a solid as you believe why couldn't they have created new characters for the pair like they did with Eric and Vinnie? Plus to the best of my knowledge I have yet to hear a Eric Singer or Tommy Thayer penned tune on a new KISS album. I think your right and wrong about Paul. Without him yes, there is no KISS - HOWEVER - if Paul decides to quit or passes away (God forbid) and Gene still has it in him to play the "Demon", a new "Star child" will be found. Business is Business.

Your review reads like a fan of Ace and there is nothing wrong with that. But it obviously lacks real objectivity when you see comments like wanting Ace's book to out sell Gene's. As an objective reviewer, you shouldn't care. I don't care if it sells poorly or millions of copies. We have no stake in it. And no, for the record, I'm not the biggest fan of Gene in the world. Never cared for his womanizing persona.

As far as my reviewing style, yes I am biased toward Ace over Gene, but as far as my intention when it comes to making a recommendation I feel that I am more interested in sharing with potential buyers whether or not this book is worth $20. My intent is not to judge Ace, love him or hate him, he is who he is. My intent IS to say that the book is worth that same picture of President Grant with the stipulation that you are an Ace or KISS fan in the first place and if not stay away and put that $20 into a new Re-Mego.

And while as you say we 'have no stake in it' I must disagree. If we didn't you and I wouldn't be having this discussion / debate about the validity of Ace's testimony. Plus I assure you that if I thought it sucked and wasn't worthy of the $20 I would be equally ranting. I'm a fan but not a sucker.

[Dark Shadow]

Shouldn't a thread about Ace Frehley be under the Sci-Fi heading?

I love Ace Frehley, I really do. Back in the day, he had a stellar stage presence, a fun-loving personality & his hypnotic leads were, without question, instumental (pardon the pun) to the signature sound of KISS.

Unfortunately, Ace couldn't hold the smoke. He has outright admitted that he could not handle the pressures that come with constant touring. He also admits, point blank, that he does not have a head for business and cannot cope with conflict. When the going gets tough, self-admittedly, Ace prefers to take the nearest escape route...a classic substance abuser characteristic.

All of that is fine. We all have our strengths & weaknesses. What bugs me is that Ace continues to publicly assign blame outside of himself for his shortcomings and refuses to accept personal responsibility for his destructive behavior & and the impact his actions had on those around him.

No Regrets? A substance abuser, a lifelong substance abuser, has no regrets? Really? What about what he put his daughter through? His wife? His family? Those closest to him? His bandmates? His accident victims? Hotel proprietors ?

When asked in a recent interview what he would do differently, he states that he would have gotten sober sooner (prior to his first departure in '82). His reasoning is that he thinks that if he weren't constantly wasted he would have been able to negotiate & debate more effectively with Paul & Gene and would never have had to leave the band.

Sounds like one hell of a regret to me, not to mention a subconscious admission that he was ultimately the problem, not Gene & Paul.

Still can't help but love the guy, and I do think that he'll eventually arrive at self-acceptance. I just hope it's sooner than later cuz I'd hate to see him fall off the wagon yet again.

[Werewolf]

He genuinely comes off as honest and shooting straight.

It's his opinion of what happened and nothing more and by his own admission, which he has stated numerous times, his recollection of the era is spotty at best.

Despite what the critics and naysayers say had he and Peter not been their for the founding of the band and the sacrifices THEY made we wouldn't be talking about KISS today.

Ace has had limited solo success out of Kiss and Peter has had none. To call any non Peter and Ace era of Kiss a tribute band isn't remotely fair. Eric Carr was in the band much longer than Ace or Peter and doesn't get enough credit for it. Also, in my opinion, if there is a true unsung hero or heart and soul of Kiss, it's Paul. The band went on fine when Ace and Peter were being credited on albums done by studio musicians and went on fine after they officially left. The band went on during Gene's I want to be actor phase. The only one I see is irreplacable is Paul. No Paul, No Kiss.

Of course everyone will draw their own conclusion but as for me, I gotta tell ya, of all of the tell- all's and legend about KISS I really feel that what Ace presents here is quite revealing sans a blow by blow examination of every nuance which this book doesn't do. But then again I don't believe it was intended to.

Your review reads like a fan of Ace and there is nothing wrong with that. But it obviously lacks real objectivity when you see comments like wanting Ace's book to out sell Gene's. As an objective reviewer, you shouldn't care. I don't care if it sells poorly or millions of copies. We have no stake in it. And no, for the record, I'm not the biggest fan of Gene in the world. Never cared for his womanizing persona.

[Evel KMego]

Will definitely pick this up. Ace was my favorite member of KISS. As many here have said, he definitely had the most talent of the group, but never really lived up to it. I am sure his substance abuse had a lot to do with it, but also his personality - he's the type of person who just doesn't have the business drive like Gene. He was happy just cruisin' along.

[MIB41]

Looking at the comments here, I think it's fair to say that both of you (and boss too) will enjoy the insight from this book. Having read both of Gene's books and following the KISS story forever I got to tell ya that Ace's take in this book is very enlightening. I think once you read the book you won't find the arrogant Ace of legend and previous interviews. He genuinely comes off as honest and shooting straight.

As far as Ace's attitude towards Gene and modern KISS (which I personally view as nothing much more than a KISS tribute band) I feel it's fair. Despite what the critics and naysayers say had he and Peter not been their for the founding of the band and the sacrifices THEY made we wouldn't be talking about KISS today. Sure everyone has an opinion in regards to the influence each member had to the whole but honestly had any of those first four not been there we wouldn't have KISS as we know it. It took those four personalities and their respective talents working together to make it happen.

Of course everyone will draw their own conclusion but as for me, I gotta tell ya, of all of the tell- all's and legend about KISS I really feel that what Ace presents here is quite revealing sans a blow by blow examination of every nuance which this book doesn't do. But then again I don't believe it was intended to.

Jim you got me very excited to read this! I can't wait!

[MIB41]

I'm just amazed he's still alive!!! WWolf got it on the target tho' Seeing Ace Sans-makeup the first time back then was a BIG tell of how much alcohol abuse the man was under! I remember staying up late to see them on NBC. (With Dad's permission) Only to have my Old Man point out how wasted they were!

You likely were watching the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. That's considered the most classic KISS interview of all time because... and yes you already said... Ace was drunk. But he was hilarious in that interview. What made it so funny was the other were not and his antics were really getting under the skin of Gene. Here's an excerpt...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDq_...eature=related