Hot off the heels of the monster debut of Space Invader Ace Frehley has announced his touring lineup for the first leg of tour dates, his first U.S. shows in four years, which will be announced next week.
Frehley says, “I can’t wait to hit the road again with this new lineup. I’ll be performing Ace classics as well as songs off my new CD Space Invader for the enjoyment of the fans. Let There Be Rock!”
The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has tapped none other than Richie Scarlet, who rode shotgun performing rhythm guitar and vocal duties on Ace’s Trouble Walking album from 1989, and will do so again on stage. Ritchie toured with Ace in 1984 and 1985 and periodically from 1989 through 1995 and was also known for touring with Sebastian Bach.
On bass and vocals Chris Wyse from Queens, N.Y. will man the post. Previously recording with Ozzy Osbourne and playing on Mick Jagger’s 2001 solo album, Chris is well known as the bass player from The Cult since 2006. Chris can also be heard on Frehley’s new release, Space Invader on select tracks. He also covers bass duties in his current band, Owl.
Finally, Scot Coogan will be behind the drum kit for Frehley’s upcoming tour. An Ace Frehley touring band veteran in his own right, Scott was also a member of Nikki Sixx’s Brides of Destruction recording and touring band in 2004 and Lita Ford’s touring drummer in 2012.
Ace Frehley recently made history with his new album, which debuted at #9 on the Top 200 Chart in its week of release. The LP scored the highest charting position of ANY Kiss solo album ever, and marks Frehley’s first return to the Top 10 since KISS’ 1998 Pyscho Circus reunion album. Internationally, Space Invader has debuted #1 on the Independent Chart and #16 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 here.
74 Responses
His first show will be in my basement and I am ready to paper the floor.
lol. paper the floor literally or figuratively?
Let There Be Rock! That’s what it’s all about. Rock on Ace, see you in “space”. 🙂
Much cooler to see Ace than Kiss. At least the Kiss songs will sound like Kiss. Can’t wait!
Good one Joe, nice innuendo! LOL! 😉
Yes, especially the Paul Stanley Kiss songs. Your post made NO sense.
Yes, but some people are on board with statements like that–they are only encouraging him. I read that on the cover of Ace’s album–that Ace’s album sounds like a REAL Kiss album. Absolutely no objectivity at all–just an obvious attempt to knock Kiss. Unfortunately, Ace does not realize that the reviewer only regards him in relation to Kiss and probably doesn’t take him seriously. The Kiss albums sound more like Kiss than the Ace albums because Ace never sand on MOST of the classic Kiss albums. He sang on Love Gun (one song), Dynasty, Unmasked and The Elder. Who’s to say Bruce Kulick is not as much a KISS sounding guitar player as Ace. I love Ace and his new record but all the negative BS about Kiss and the last couple albums makes it difficult to focus on the positives.
Riiiiiiiight. With some other loser singing them.
Will he be bringing his girl on stage with him? He mentions Rachael a lot and dedicated past the Milky Way to her.
Hey Eddie, I was just wondering if Ace is “allowed” to wear his makeup anymore? Not saying he would, or should, but I’m just curious to know if he could.
No. Gene and Paul own it
That sucks! So all the Kiss tribute bands out there can wear Ace’s makeup, but Ace can’t? The tribute bands don’t own it either, so why are they allowed, but Ace isn’t?
Eddie….didn’t Ace say not that long ago that he leased the makeup to Paul and Gene and that the rights were coming back to him soon? Seem to remember him saying that whereas Peter sold his makeup rights totally. I could be wrong though…