ACE FREHLEY’S “SPACE INVADER” DEBUTS AT NUMBER NINE ON THE BILLBOARD TOP 200 CHART
Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has made history with his new album, Space Invader, which debuted at number nine on the Top 200 Chart this week. The LP scores the highest charting position of ANY KISS solo album ever, and marks Frehley’s first return to the Top 10 since KISS’s 1998 Pyscho Circus reunion album. The album has also sold better in its first week than KISS’ recently released Kiss 40 album. Internationally, Space Invader has debuted number one on the Independent Chart and number sixteen on the Top 200 Chart in Canada, Top 40 in Switzerland and Sweden, and hit a historic benchmark for the first time ever as a solo artist in Germany.
Space Invader, Frehley’s first studio album in five years, has also received praise from critics. Rolling Stone wrote, “Gene Simmons has claimed Ace Frehley doesn’t deserve to wear KISS’ Kabuki clown paint, but the former Spaceman’s first solo LP in five years says otherwise,” while the Associated Press hailed, “…the original KISS lead guitarist has recorded his best solo album since his groundbreaking self-titled album in 1978.” Paste also confirmed, “Space Invader is a good rock album, and it’s an even better guitar record.”
Frehley stopped by The Tonight Show prior to his album release to sit in with legendary house band The Roots to perform his classic hit New York Groove. Watch it below.
Space Invader features nine brand new original songs, including the first single, Gimme a Feelin’, as well as a cover of Steve Miller’s classic rock staple The Joker. Frehley also tapped long time friend and artist Ken Kelly to create the album art for Space Invader. Kelly created the iconic cover art for two of KISS’s best selling LPS, Destroyer (1976) and Love Gun (1977).
Widely known as the original “Space Ace” and founding guitarist for 16 cumulative years (over two tenures) of the multi platinum selling rock band KISS, Frehley is demonstrably the most popular original member. In addition to having the best selling solo album career (vintage or current) among the original foursome, Frehley’s self titled Ace Frehley (1978), went on to sell over one million copies, producing the only Top 40 single, New York Groove, from any of the legendary KISS solo albums. The massive hit was most recently featured in an episode of cult show Entourage and was also KISS’ second best selling download in 2012, besting such KISS Army anthems as “I Was Made For Lovin’ You, Beth and Calling Dr. Love even after 36 years.
Since departing from KISS, Frehley went on to release four more solo albums and one live EP including his most recent effort, Anomaly in 2009, which debuted at #27 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Ace also released an autobiography titled No Regrets, which debuted at #10 on the NY Times Hardcover Non-Fiction best seller list in November 2011.
Great album very positive great job ace
Ace is BACK!!!! What about some tour/show dates?
For the love of God can everyone stop with the “Ace’s back” crap?? Please? It’s so old. Congrats though, Mr. Frehley.
Ace is back.
Ace is back!
Ace is back & Joe Pensati told you so!!
That’s right! : )
Ace is back and he told you so (guitar solo)
Ace is back.
LOL YOU GUYS!!!!#
All the ace haters can kiss my ass!! Kiss didn’t do that with monster
Didn’t do what ? Sell 3 times as much and chart at number 3 and actually guest on the Tonight Show. Love the Ace album myself, but some people and their internet facts, just too funny some times.
Everybody knows charting at number 3 doesn’t mean what it did 10 or 20 years ago.
Monster debuted at No. 3 10/27/12 but dropped to No. 135 on 12/8/12 it’s seventh
and final week on the Hot200.
Its still number three…the volume has no relevance of any record nowadays, including number one so your comment makes no sense…And again, celebrate Ace and stop the garbage talk about Kiss…
It’s no use George, some of these guys live just to put down Kiss. There’s no rhyme or reason to any of their statements. Just ignore the lame Kiss bashing and participate in the good conversations. Alternatively, have fun pointing out their delusional and self serving arguments. A few Kiss haters like to post here regularly. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them don’t really care about Ace–just like using his success to poke fun at Kiss fans.
Honestly don’t think there are “Kiss haters” as much as people that like to see some balance vs what they continue to try and sell on any given day. Kiss has not exactly generated a ton of good will lately. Bashing Ace and Peter, not playing HOF, football reality shows. Gene’s various statements about depression, money, wealth. Contrary to what many think I AM a Kiss fan of many eras. but if you are on the fence they give you ammo to not like them often.
Monster entered at number three! FACT!!
For once leave kiss out of this. Let’s celebrate Ace’s victory–just a suggestion.
And a great suggestion at that. I’m guilty of doing that stuff myself…..this is about Ace…..
Joe,
It should be about Ace. After watching his video on the tonight show, its just great to see him alive and well. But he is not just alive and well, he’s great! I’m guilty too Joe–very hard to resist sometimes. However, I have tried to focus on just how great Ace’s new album is. Space Invader is probably the first solo album by Ace that is as good as the first solo record. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same advantage as the 78 record: the era, or the undivided fan base.
I really believe that if Tommy did a solo album it would do well alsol. The guy is a terrific guitar player and song writer. Would also like to see Eric do a solo himself…
Gee I wonder if today Vinnie Vincent or Bruce Kulick released a solo record, would it hit the top 10? “I walk Alone” is just a masterpiece boy, let me tell you…hee hee hee
Ace you deserve it. You earned it, and you didn’t have to throw anyone under the bus to get it. Always take the high road you are truly worth the praise you have.
Album kills.
Curious what kind of sales numbers an album has to reach to get to number nine on the charts these days? Anyone seen any sales figures?
Not many sadly…
http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi
http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/archcht.cgi?cht520
Cool site! Thanks Todd!
Btw, enjoying Space Invader! Already added to my iPhone.