The original Spaceman is harboring a simmering resentment towards his former bandmates, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, known for his fiery solos and distinctive stage presence, feels his contributions to the band were consistently undervalued.
In a candid interview with Guitar Tales, Frehley revealed a deep-seated frustration with the lack of recognition for his musical prowess. He lamented, “If I did a great guitar solo in the studio, they would never acknowledge it.”
The sting of unappreciated talent runs deep for the Spaceman. He candidly expressed feeling marginalized and overlooked by Simmons and Stanley. The guitarist’s words paint a picture of a creative force stifled by a band environment that prioritized ego over artistry.
“They Always Underplayed My Abilities”
Ace Frehley is gearing up to deliver a musical knockout to his former bandmates. Feeling undervalued and disrespected by his former bandmates, the legendary guitarist is determined to prove his worth. He shared, “Paul and Gene put me down so many times.” Inspired by his ex-girlfriend Lara’s advice, he’s focusing on creating an exceptional album to overshadow their recent output.
Frehley recalled numerous instances where his guitar prowess went unrecognized. “Even when I did really great solos, I really never got praise from Paul and Gene,” he confessed. The lack of acknowledgment for his contributions clearly left a lasting impact.
With a burning desire to reclaim his musical spotlight, Frehley is poised to unleash his talent and settle the score. The music world is eagerly awaiting the outcome of this brewing artistic battle.
Frehley Fights Back Against Negative Narratives
A year ago, Frehley also addressed the persistent negative portrayal of his character by Stanley and Simmons. The guitarist expressed frustration over their attempts to discredit him, stating, “Because [KISS founders] Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] have pretty much tried to destroy my credibility by calling me a drunk and a drug addict and somebody who’s not dependable.”
Frehley challenged the validity of these accusations, pointing to his successful music career as evidence to the contrary.
He asserted, “But if that were the case, how did I make five albums? And I’ve been touring steadily for the last ten years plus. It doesn’t make any sense.” The musician emphasized the inconsistencies in the narrative against him, highlighting the hypocrisy of his critics.
Spaceman Promises to Outshine Former Bandmates
The former Spaceman has responded to Stanley’s criticism regarding a potential reunion on the KISS farewell tour. The guitarist expressed confidence that his upcoming album will prove Stanley’s negative comments to be unfounded.
Frehley stated, “Paul said on The Howard Stern Show, you might as well call the band PISS instead of KISS if I got up on stage with them. Well, when this album comes about, it’s gonna make him look like an imbecile.”
In addition to addressing Stanley’s remarks, Frehley also disclosed that he and fellow original member Peter Criss were not invited to KISS’s final concert at Madison Square Garden, despite public statements to the contrary. The guitarist also shared his predictions about his former bandmates’ reactions to his solo album, 10,000 Volts, suggesting that while Gene Simmons might appreciate it, Paul Stanley could potentially feel threatened.
Listen to Frehley’s whole interview below.