Monthly Archives: November 2011
Five minutes with Ace Frehley
XLog.com
By Scott Engel
We all have our heroes, the people that drive us to dream and strive for greatness. When I was growing up, it was Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for KISS. I was a major KISS fan, and today I am still a card-carrying member of the KISS Army. Yes, I actually do have a numbered card in my wallet.
KISS was more than just a band, they were a way of life, a positive beacon for a young man who was searching for answers. They showed their fans that you can always be unique and reach for the highest goals in life. Be your own person and never apologize for it. I always loved all four original members of KISS, for different reasons, and with Ace, it was about him always following his heart and being a survivor.
So when I was presented with the opportunity to interview Ace in early November, it was a great honor and pleasure. I strongly believe my pursuit of a Fantasy Sports career was spurred by the KISS messages of shooting for whatever you want in life, and believing in yourself no matter what the odds were. Of course, this was also an opportunity to give something back to Ace. I had always been a fan of his solo work as well, and was excited to receive a copy of his new memoirs “No Regrets”, a highly compelling new read for any rock and roll fan. So the chance to spread the word about his new book on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio, on the RotoExperts morning show, was an undertaking I enjoyed greatly.
In the audio excerpt below, Ace and I discuss the escapades detailed in his book, a trip through years of “crazy women, crazy parties” and much more. He touches on how the “KISS machine” almost made him lose his sense of self. Ace details how sobriety has made him thankful about where he is now, and how he was into sports before he became a rock guitarist.
(Listen to the audio interview below)
Paul Stanley, Lita Ford at Playboy Mansion
Eric Charbonneau
It was all part of a splashy fundraising gig for a charity called Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund. The evening’s big headliner was Paul Stanley of KISS, who was wearing the requisite leopard print and black leather ensemble.
Also on hand were porn star Ron Jeremy, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Lita Ford, Kip Winger, and a smattering of other vaguely familiar rock names interspersed with more hired T&A than you could shake a drumstick at.
Ace Frehley video interview on new book
Gene Simmons to save the day
JewishJournal.com
By: Lauren Bottner
Kiss rock star Gene Simmons, aka Chaim Weitz, lectures at the London Business School on how to save the British economy and build a billion-dollar brand. Sure, because our top economists and brilliant minds around the world obviously are missing the answer, so lets invite the make-up clad hard rock singer to clue us in.
Simmons: Powell would be best GOP candidate
AP
He tweeted up a storm about Gov. Rick Perry back in August, but Monday night KISS bassist Gene Simmons revealed his dream candidate.
“Colin Powell would make the best Republican candidate. Period,” the rocker tweeted.
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Gene Simmons Tells Music-News.com Why Axl Rose Deserves a Good Beating
Mataleone
Kiss frontman, entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, bassist and self-confessed sex addict gave Music-News.com the pleasure of his company to let us know what is currently flicking his switch.
During the interview, when questioned about what advice he would offer Guns ‘n’ Roses with respect to staying at the top of their game the rock icon concluded:
‘You get to sleep in the bed you make.’
‘Guns and Roses could have been the best band in the world and the reason they’re not is because of Axl Rose.’
‘Drugs, heroin, alcohol and all that but ultimately it falls on Axl Rose’s shoulders.’
What could he have done to change that path?
‘A good beating would have helped.’
“When you misbehaved as a little kid there’s someone therew to give you a what for. Then when you become a grown-up who’s there to set you straight?”
Ace Frehley No Regrets in Tempe
George De Sota/Liaison
From: AZcentral.com
By: Ed Masley
When KISS took the pop-music world by storm in their ’70s prime, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, the Spaceman, was fully committed to living the dream as best expressed in the shout-along chorus of the costumed rockers’ breakthrough single, “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
“I wanna rock and roll all nite / And party every day.”
But as those days turned into years, the non-stop partying caught up with Frehley, who walked out on his dream gig in the early ’80s, signed back on in 1996 for a wildly successful reunion of the four originals, complete with makeup, and quit a second time in 2001.
Gene Simmons – The Rockin’ Renaissance Man
From: Private Wealth
Gene appears in an extensive, in-depth and quite fascinating interview from his Beverly Hills home about wealth management and his estate and insurance planning firm Cool Springs Life.
| By Thomas M. Kostigen |
| Gene Simmons is in the kitchen of his Beverly Hills mansion sitting on a tall bar chair. He has placed one of the grey suede boots he’s wearing on the counter and sort of teeters as he strums a white guitar, playing with chords, and singing a bit here and there. An iPad on the counter blasts out a raspy tune about love, and Simmons, the famous frontman of the rock band KISS, chimes in offering advice on lyrics and music to a man in a blue suit and tie. The man is no music executive, though. He’s an insurance executive, one of Simmons’ partners in a new business venture. The man’s daughter is an aspiring singer and Simmons has agreed to listen to her demo. |
Gene Simmons Gives Economics Lecture
Jo Hale/Getty Images
From: SF Gate
Rocker Gene Simmons shared the secrets of his success with students in London on Thursday night at a surprise economics lecture.
The KISS singer held a special workshop, entitled Dream Big with Gene Simmons, at the prestigious London Business School and he handed out commerce tips and advice.
Simmons has also written a column for Britain’s The Sun, addressing the current global economic crisis – and the star reveals how he would fix the problems.
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Deluxe Remix of KISS Destroyer Album to be Released in 2012
Ken Kelly
According to Gene Simmons in a recent interview with the UK radio station Planet Rock, KISS will be releasing a deluxe edition of the 1976 KISS album Destroyer in 2012.
Original producer Bob Ezrin is in the studio remixing the tracks and the package will include outtakes as well as the original, unused album art cover!
To hear the interview go to the Planet Rock website. The Gene Simmons interview starts at the 2:10:50 mark.
Gene Simmons – Gene Simmons Proud Of Kiss Empire
From: Contactmusic.com
Gene Simmons is ”proud” of the KISS ”empire” and says the group have embraced the spirit of the ”music business” by putting their name to more than 3,000 different ventures.
Gene Simmons is “proud” of the KISS “empire”.
The veteran musician can’t understand why some bands refuse to endorse products and with his own group putting their name to over 3,000 different ventures, he believes they have properly embraced the spirit of the “music business”.
Speaking on Absolute Classic Rock, he said: “The KISS empire really has become that, and it’s unfortunate that a lot of bands have neglected to take care of it, because what we do is actually call it ‘the music business’, it’s not called ‘music’, and intrinsically we understood that at the beginning.
Gene Simmons Hosts The Classic Rock Awards
From: Gibson.com
KISS’s Gene Simmons hosted the Orange Amplification Classic Rock Roll of Honour at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London, last night.
The winners featured a host of top rock names, including Lemmy, Foo Fighters, Steve Winwood, Manic Street Preachers, Roger Waters, Jeff Beck, Queen and The Who.
According to Music-News.com, Queen’s Roger Taylor presented the prestigious Living Legend Award to guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck. Aster receiving a standing ovation, Beck then performed with guests Joss Stone and Chrissie Hynde.
Simmons summed up the evening, saying, “A privilege and an honour wouldn’t cover it. For me this will be a memory of a lifetime. Signed by the God of Thunder.”
Gene Simmons: It’s in Our Genes
From: Daily Star
HE is as famous for bedding women as he is for his music.
And Kiss legend Gene Simmons certainly does not mince his words when it comes to the fairer sex.
“I would strongly urge all men to stop lying to themselves,” says the owner of rock’s most famous tongue. “We’re not meant to be with one partner.
“The closer you get to death, the more mature you get. Before that you have too much testosterone in your system.
“Men think about sex all the time, and I have female friends who ask why. I say: ‘Because our most sensitive part keeps rubbing against our pant leg.’ We have no choice in the matter.”
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Gene Simmons Says Band’s ‘Heart and Soul Lies in England’
From: ultimateclassicrock.com
by Matthew Wilkening
KISS may come from America, but to hear bassist Gene Simmons tell it, their musical “heart and soul lies in England.” In London to serve as host of the Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards show recently, Simmons testified about the influence of English rock stars on his own music.
Speaking to Absolute Radio, the “God of Thunder” took an extremely refreshing break from promoting the galaxy of KISS-related merchandise to speak at length about music. Specifically, the ’60s and ’70s heyday of English rock. He expressed amazement at the mountain of music that came from such a small place in such a short time:
Ace Frehley with the Cast of What’s Happening
Bill Baker is a long time KISS and Ace Frehley fan who contributes frequently to KISSasylum.com. Bill is also the author of the 2008 book Ace Frehley – The Ultimate Fan Scrap Book. Bill recounts how he braved the rare November snowstorm to meet up with Ace at the Chiller Theater Convention along with members of the cast of the ’70’s sit-com What’s Happening….
By Bill Baker
New Jersey’s CHILLER THEATRE convention has been around for over 20 years. My friend Kevin created it and I’ve gone to every one. When my book came out 3 years ago, they were delivered to me on the Tuesday just before the convention. It was an odd coincidence that Ace was one of the guests at Chiller that year. I hadn’t seen or talked with Ace in 13 years at that point. I wanted to at least say hi to him and give him a book. It was all worked out with his manager Danny and I was cut into his huge line and it was like 13 years hadn’t gone by. We got some pictures together and I presented him with one of Continue reading
Message From Bruce
From: Kulick.net
by Bruce Kulick
Just back from NYC and Brazil, and I have to share my experience with you all.
NYC was exciting, as always, and I did a Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp with People Magazine and then one sponsored by Citibank. I met many cool people, had some great jams, and was very proud of my bands after our big performance. I was especially happy to work with Lita Ford, and backed up Vince Neil, so that’s two more artists I can cross off my bucket list!
Being a New Yorker it’s always a huge rush when I am there, and after living so long in LA I realize how much I miss it. Of course the freak snow storm which made NYC cold, wet and icy was not too much fun. You expect that weather on the East coast, but not in October! After seeing my good friend Mike Katz from KKB who I grew up with in Queens, it was off to JFK for my long journey to Sao Paulo.
Happy Birthday Tommy!
From: KISSasylum.com
KISSasylum.com wishes Tommy Thayer a happy birthday today!
Frehley’s Imaginative Set Rocks Allentown
From: The Weekender
by Alan K. Stout
When Ace Frehley took the stage at Crocodile Rock in Allentown on Sunday, Nov. 6, there were a few things the crowd was expecting and, during the show, it got.
A driving performance of “Rocket Ride” and an explosive performance of “Shock Me” each came in the set, and “Shock Me” included a scorching solo and Frehley’s trademark “smoking guitar.” During the biographical “Rock Soldiers,” Frehley had the crowd singing along in anthem-like unison, and his fans sang along once again to a rhythmic rendition of “New York Groove,” during which Frehley’s illuminated guitar bounced to the beat.
Elliot In The Morning: Ace Frehley Interview
From: Elliot In The Morning
Posted: November 5, 2011
Here is Ace Frehley interviewed on Elliot In The Morning discussing his book “No Regrets”