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
Hope the tour is more than just 5 or 6 shows.
I saw Ace with Richie back in 86/87! Ace was so wasted that have the crowd walked out! I’m glad the band is sober he’splaying with. Makes the show worth seeing. What ever happened to John Regan?
Currently John and Tod from Frehleys Comet have a new band called 4 By Fate which I think has someone else from the Comet in the band. A podcast came out yesterday with Ace and he said there doesn’t seem to be much interest in a Frehleys Comment reunion, but he would considerate it if a promoter offered a 100k to do a few shows. From what I understand John has asked Ace to play again together in some capacity, but Ace isn’t interested at this juncture. Mitch Lafon released a podcast this week and asked Ace some decent questions. Its on spreaker.com if interested.
I saw Ace on the Rocket Ride tour in 2008 in AC and he actually sang all the KISS songs, even “Love Gun” and I got to say he pulled it off nicely with his own version live. The Ace is BACK!!!
Richie scarlet is terrible. I think the live CD of this mess will be called, “Trouble Listenin’ “
I saw Arthur Lee empty a club once, Ace style. Regan is still probably looking for his 75,000 Ace owed him then chapter 7’d to ashes. I think Ace’ll be sober, he has to impress Doc for ’15 Kiss stuff.