Such sad news today hearing of the passing of Ace Frehley of KISS at the age of 74. Ace and KISS have always meant a lot to me, with them being the first rock band I ever got into and the first rock album I owned, that being KISS Alive II. As much as I liked all the members, Ace always seemed to be the coolest of them all, and as the years went on, through interviews and books and such, he just seemed like a down to earth guy with a great sense of humour and his laugh was amazing. Someone you would like to hang out with over a few beers.
I feel very lucky that I got to see Ace perform a handful of times, starting with the first time in 1995 when Ace and fellow KISS member Peter Criss did a tour together The Bad Boys of KISS. I saw them play the Thunderdome in Edmonton in July of 1995, and what a fun show that was. I even managed to get a guitar pick that night from Ace.
Notice the misspelling of Ace's name in the ad for the show. How embarrassing is that.
The next times I got to see Ace in concert was him performing with KISS in full make-up on the reunion tour in 1996-97. My brother and I saw them first play in Vancouver in September of 1996, just three months after seeing the Bad Boys Tour. And then two more times in May of 1997 in Edmonton and Calgary. Talk about being in our glory getting to see Ace with KISS original line up in make up. So damn good. And the last time seeing Ace in make up with KISS was in July 2000 on the Farewell Tour.
And then the last time I saw Ace Frehley in concert was in March of 2008 at the Edmonton Event Centre. That show too was amazing with Ace playing KISS classics, solo stuff and even a few Frehley's Comet songs. I count myself very lucky to have seen him in concert, just wish I could have met him at some point. Rest In Peace Ace! Your legacy will live on forever!
A few pictures from the 2008 show in Edmonton.
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