You heard it here first: we are on our way to 100 years of Ace, and we couldn’t be happier.

As a member of Kiss and as a solo artist, Ace Frehley has been one of the most celebrated rock guitarists in the world for five decades now. Tri-state fans will get the chance to see his electrifying performance when he and his band play at New York City’s Sony Hall on March 13 – a show that Frehley says is especially important to him because it’s in his hometown (he was born and raised in the Bronx), so he has many friends and family members who will be in attendance that night.

It’s also special to see Frehley in concert because, not that long ago, there was some question about whether he’d be able to continue playing the guitar at all. “I hurt my arm about two-and-a-half years ago – I fell down a flight of stairs,” he tells The Aquarian during a recent phone call. “It’s been a struggle because I landed on my right arm, and that’s the arm that I strum with when I play guitar.” Fortunately, after going through intensive treatment, he feels normal again. “So it feels great to get up onstage because I wasn’t sure if it was ever going to get back to the way it used to be.”

And, he adds, he’s simply excited to play with the musicians who’ve been backing him since 2018. “I always have so much fun when I play with my band – they’ve been killing it!”

When Frehley puts on concerts, he knows he’ll always be expected to play certain songs, such as his signature 1978 hit “New York Groove,” but he says he never grows weary of performing them. “The audience makes it special because every night it’s a different audience, so it’s new to them, unless they’ve seen me play,” he says. “Sometimes I see the same faces following me around, but 97% of the people, they’re all new. And I’ve noticed recently, especially with the release of my last album, [2024’s] 10,000 Volts, that I’m getting a much younger audience, and parents are bringing their teenagers. It’s cool.”

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Kiss’ longest-serving Spaceman on sticking to the Les Paul when it wasn’t cool, the joy of discovering you’ve been playing something wrong for years, why he avoided ’80s-style playing, and what he’s doing next

Though he wasn’t the first, Tommy Thayer was Kiss’ longest-tenured Spaceman. So there’s an argument to be made that, without his 23 years of service, they wouldn’t have made it to the end of the road – but Thayer humbly waves it away.

“It’s just exciting to be in the mix,” he tells Guitar World. “I’ve never considered myself to be in the rarified air of the players I grew up emulating. To be part of the history of one of rock’s greatest bands of all time is a nice feeling. It really doesn’t get any better than that.”

Since Kiss halted touring operations in December 2023, Thayer has played it low-key, though plenty is happening behind the scenes. His passion for playing is as fiery as ever – and he has thoughts on how things have changed since he found that fire.

“In today’s world, there’s too much information available on any subject, and it’s difficult to weed through it all; it’s confusing,” he says. “Go to the music store and try guitars; see what feels most comfortable in your hands.”

He adds: “I think it’s best to try new gear like amps and pedals in a band setting, or at least with other people playing, to get the best feel for what works. Borrow stuff from friends to try things out; that’s what I used to do.

“Listen to lots of music, and don’t be afraid to break the rules. Your tone and your style will evolve – that’s all part of the fun.”

What was the moment as a player where you truly felt you found your sound?

“When we started Black ’N Blue. Before that, I was trying to figure out who I was stylistically and find my footing. It was the same for [vocalist] Jaime St. James. We played together in local bands in Portland from 1978 to 1981 – it felt like forever – before we finally locked into Black ’N Blue.

“I always loved straight-ahead, blues-based ’70s hard rock. I wasn’t interested in much else. I’ve always played a Gibson Les Paul. I was listening to Joe Perry, Ronnie Montrose, Jimmy Page, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzy, Mick Ralphs, Billy Gibbons, Davey Johnston and Ace Frehley.

“It was such an exciting time. I wanted to emulate those bands and guitarists; I was consumed by it. One of the first solos I learned was China Grove by the Doobie Brothers. I stayed true to that style throughout the ’80s, which was a bit unusual for the time. Then Slash re-popularized the Les Paul in the late ’80s.”

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Only 250 of these were made.

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Rock legends Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss formed the band KISS in 1973 in New York. In 2023, Simmons chatted with USA TODAY about the final band’s days: “It’s complex. I can sit here in my hotel room and wax poetic about all of this stuff, but those are matters of the mind, the semantics emanating out of my oral passage. You can talk about something but until you’re there, the matters of the heart don’t kick in. There is an enormous sense of pride the band has, including Tommy (Thayer) and Eric (Singer), who have been with us more than 20 years. We’re enormously proud of what we did.”

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Long, successful careers in music can be built by either maintaining a consistent style or by embracing constant change. Gene Simmons, during a conversation with Billy Corgan‘s on “The Magnificent Others” episode, expressed understanding for both career paths.

“I could argue the AC/DC or METALLICA idea, which is, you stay true to your DNA,” Simmons said (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar). “Well, it’s an argument that works well for them. And IRON MAIDEN. We didn’t have a choice because we gave in.

“There were those first records that had, you know, sort of Chuck Berry crossed with this and that: a little BEATLES, a little MOTOWN, a little this, a little that. Whatever that thing was, the identity, the fingerprint, was diluted as members within the band started to veer from the band. There are other bands that have stayed true to who they are and have survived and become bigger. By the way, I don’t do that. I go, ‘That’s their journey. This is ours.’”

Simmons acknowledged that KISS‘s initial attraction extends beyond their music. He also stated that he welcomes fans regardless of what specifically draws them in.

“I prefer to make dollars,” he said. “The only thing I care about is a brand new five year old who experiences Kiss or the imagery, even if it’s not the music, just somehow gets seduced and beguiled by that.”

On December 2, 2023, KISS performed the final concert of their “End Of The Road” farewell tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In a fall 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Simmons emphasized that the band’s final performance on the “End Of The Road” tour would indeed mark their last show.

“My hand on the Bible,” he said. “And I should know because my people wrote that book. In fact, my people also wrote the follow-up book, the New Testament. And so I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.”

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Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 will open his own KISS memorabilia museum to the public this coming May.

Located in Los Angeles, the Knights In Satan Service (KISS) Museum houses more than 2,500 items of memorabilia John 5 has personally collected over the decades.

KISS obsessive John 5 will personally lead the guided tours when they run over four weeks from 5th to 9th May, 12th to 16th May, 19th to 23rd May, and 27th to 30th May.

Unique items on display include the only known pairs of Gene Simmons‘ ‘Destroyer’ boots from 1976 and his first outfit from 1974.

Many of the items are from the gilded KISS era from 1973 to 1983, and this includes banners from the band’s appearance at Woodfield Mall, outside Chicago, in 1974 for the National KISS-Off kissing contest.

Commenting on his museum, John 5 said: “In June 1977, when I was seven years old, my mom took me to Sears where I saw a record store display for KISS’s album ‘Love Gun’.

“I loved monsters and music and begged my mom for the record. Hearing it for the first time was a total epiphany for me. And any time a birthday or Christmas rolled around, I got a new KISS poster or merch.

“Collecting became a huge part of my life. It’s also helped me connect with the world as I’ve found pieces from Argentina to Chile, Taiwan to Japan.”

He continued: “With KISS not touring anymore, the only real place to see this collection and go down memory lane is to come to the museum in Los Angeless. Hang out with me, I’ll answer questions, we’ll talk and I’ll tell stories.”

A guided tour from John 5 at the Knights In Satan Service Museum costs £393, and limited tickets are on sale from his official website now.

Goldmine’s KISS Price Guide features 2,000 listings and 500 color photos of the band’s merchandise. A must-have guide for buyers, sellers and collectors of KISS memorabilia and music. The book offers detailed listings for every U.S. recording, as well as foreign releases. The licensed product section gives dates of manufacture and elaborate descriptions. Looks mint. Stock photo. Signed by author Tom Shannon.

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Very hard to find Endymion KISS Cup from 2017.  In 2017, KISS headlined the Krewe of Endymion’s Extravaganza in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, sharing the bill with Flo Rida and KC and the Sunshine Band, and members of the band also rode in the parade.  See photos for condition.

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The Kiss star is offering a $12,495 “Personal Assistant and Band Roadie for the Day” experience for his upcoming solo shows. The tour kicks off April 3 in Anaheim and is currently set to conclude on May 24 in Houston. Only one experience is available per show.

For that five-figure fee you’ll spend the entire day with the God of Thunder, meeting him early in the day to go over his pre-show schedule, accompanying him to the load-in, helping the band set up for the show, attending the soundcheck and having a meal with Simmons.

You get to bring a guest along, and you’ll be brought out for an introduction during the show itself. You’ll get autographs, signed set lists and selfies. Most tangibly, you’ll take home a Kiss-rehearsal used bass autographed by Simmons.

You can get full details on the “Roadie for a Day” and the half as expensive “Bass Experience” at GeneSimmonsAxe.com. Don’t worry about finding common conversational ground – the site promises “you will find that Gene Simmons is very down-to-earth, funny and knowledgeable on almost any subject.”

Read More: You Can Be Gene Simmons’ Roadie – For Just $12,495 a Day!

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick was recently interviewed by Marko Syrjala for Metal-Rules. Kulick spoke at length about KISS‘ Conventions in 1995, the group’s MTV Unplugged appearance back in 1995 that led to him losing his position in the band, and the Carnival of Souls recording sessions.

Kulick is credited with playing bass on five of the ten songs on KISS‘ “reunion” album Psycho Circus that featured the band’s original line-up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Kulick also has a co-writing credit on the track “Dreamin’” with Simmons on Psycho Circus.

With respect to playing bass on the title track “Psycho Circus” which was co-written by Stanley and Curt Cuomo (the latter who went on to work with Kulick on his solo projects and Union),  the former KISS guitarist indicated:

“Yes, and that goes back to Curt Cuomo because Paul went to Curt’s place after the Carnival of Souls sessions and said to him, ‘I have this song idea,’ the two of them wrote it. I wasn’t a writer on the song, but they wanted me to play bass on it. So, we demoed it at Curt’s place, and I played the bass. Paul always liked how I played bass, so I put my Gene Simmons hat on, and I knew how to approach it. I didn’t know I’d be on the record—I knew I’d do the demo and a few others with Paul. Then Bruce Fairbairn, who produced that record, was very clear about my bass tracks. ‘I like this bass playing. Who is that?’ ‘Oh, it’s Bruce.’ ‘All right, well, let’s bring him in.’ You see? There are some really interesting stories about Psycho Circus that I’ll share in my book, too. It’s kind of interesting. Just to give you a quick overview: as much as I knew Paul and Gene slightly before I started to work with them, I started as a ghost guitarist with KISS, and then at some point, I became a ghost bass player for them when I wasn’t in the band again, so it’s an interesting connection there.”

You can read the rest of the interview with Bruce Kulick via Metal-Rules‘ website.

The Musical Beginning Foundation (501c3)—a newly created organization for which Grammy Award-winning musician Micki Free and fashion designer Heather Roberts serve as the Founders/Directors—aims to provide musical instruments to children in underserved communities, helping them develop skills that foster creativity, social connection, and emotional well-being.

The foundation successfully wrapped its inaugural celebrity fundraising event “The Shirts Against The Blouses”® Mini Golf Tournament, at KISS World Mini Golf inside the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas (February 25). It was attended by an array of rock and roll artists, including guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS) and drummer Eric Singer (KISS), as well as the foundation’s sponsors. At the red-carpet event, The Musical Beginning Foundation Humanitarian Award was given to both KISS founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, accepted on their behalf by Kulick. See the list of attending celebrities and tastemakers as well as the sponsors below.

“The Shirts Against The Blouses”® Mini Golf Tournament pays homage to the iconic basketball game between Prince, Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, and Micki Free, which was immortalized in a famous Chappelle’s Show sketch. For a glimpse into the original game, read this story from Esquire. At KISS World Mini Golf, two teams, The Shirts and The Blouses, competed against each other and the winning team was The Blouses: Count’s 77 band, Stoney Curtis, Jeff Tortora, John Zito, Barry Barnes, and Tommy Paris.

“Heather and I were truly honored and humbled as our celebrity guests, friends and family showed up and showed out at the fundraiser!” says Free. “Heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors…this is just the beginning at The Musical Beginning Foundation, we strive to make a difference musically in kids lives!! Remember always…Music is the Medicine.”

Celebrities and Tastemakers included:

•Bruce Kulick (KISS)
•Eric Singer (KISS)
•Todd Kerns (Slash’s band)
•Brent Fitz (Slash’s band)
•Phil Soussan (Last In Line, Ozzy Osbourne)
•Les Warner (The Cult)
•Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot)
•Phil X (Bon Jovi)
•Patrick Vitagliano (The Bones)
•Jeff Tortora (Blue Man Group, Tinnitus)
•Stoney Curtis (Stony Curtis Band, Count’s 77)
•Count’s 77
•Jeremy Spencer, (Knuckle Heads, Five Finger Death Punch)
•Peter Summit Ross (Crashing Wayward)
•King James (Tribute to The Godfather James Brown)
•Alistair James (Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses)
•Ira Black (BulletBoys, Lizzy Borden)
•Dr. Meg Brucker (whose husband, Dr. Brad Brucker, is on the foundation’s board)
•Lonn Friend (author, “Planet Rock”)
•Sally Steele (director, producer, “Vegas Rocks”)
•Staci Layne Wilson (film director, author, “Rock & Roll Nightmares”)
•John Katsilometes (Las Vegas Review Journal)
•Aaron Kai (actor, painter)
•Ron Mancuso (The Bootlegger Italian Bistro)
•Jason Strange (Rock’n Vodka)

Sponsors: (*denotes in attendance)

*Trish Bowden – Mysterium Music
*Christina and Patrick Vitagliano – KISS World Mini Golf
*Michael Politz – Food & Beverage Magazine
*Michele Tell: PR%F the Magazine
*Brian Seliba – Need Merch
*Bob Diehm – Guitar Center
*Adam Rains – Golden Tiki
*Ava Berman & Carlos “Big Daddy” Adley – Fremont Country Club/Backstage Bar & Billiards
*Loren Roberts, Treasurer, The Musical Beginning Foundation
*Mitch Schneider, Secretary, The Musical Beginning Foundation

The event was catered by Lindy Lu’s Kitchen. One highlight of the culinary feast was the blueberry mini pancakes which were based on the pancakes Prince originally made after the original pick-up basketball game with Prince, Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, and Micki Free.

In many schools, art and music programs are often the first to be cut due to budget constraints. Roberts and Free believe music is not only a creative outlet, but also essential for childhood development and mental health. Participants in the event will be helping bring the power of music into the lives of children who need it most, inspiring young talent, and giving them the tools they need to thrive. “Our foundation believes that, whether using music as a therapeutic outlet or professionally, ‘Music is the Medicine,’ say Roberts and Free.

“I feel I’ve been blessed in my musical career,” says Micki Free, “and it’s time to give back. Most indigenous, urban and impoverished families, like mine when I was growing, didn’t have the means to buy instruments for their children. I was lucky my Uncle Frank came to my aid and bought me my first guitar. The Musical Beginning Foundation will be our Uncle Frank to many kids—that is our goal.”

“As a child I played clarinet in school, which was a meaningful experience for me,” says Roberts.  “Art has been incredibly important to me throughout my whole life.  As a graduate of Parsons School of Design in NYC, and someone who has enjoyed a career in the world of celebrity costume design, I was lucky to have been immersed into fields that allowed me to express my creativity.  Children today don’t have as much access or opportunities when it comes to the arts, and I am hopeful that I can be a part of creating positive change in their lives through The Musical Beginning Foundation.”

For those who wish to make financial contributions or donate musical instruments to The Musical Beginning Foundation, contact 725-231-3509 or go here:

https://www.themusicalbeginningfoundation.org/

These special drumsticks were used only on the Farewell Tour in Japan in 2001. Features green foil imprint with KISS logo and Eric Singer signature.

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