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
Nah, Gene & Paul do bookstores and Cons, respect with Ace meeting his fans, it isn’t sad,it is great and Peter might show, he’s done them. Chillah and The Hollywood Show & Ray Courts’ show are crazy bananas and lots of fun. Dynomite!
I think it’s funny people give a pass to all the other guys that sobered up Nikki Sixx, Slash, Hetfield, etc. when it comes to Ace people just keep going at him? I guess in the age of internet people on a keyboard think they know everything.
I think it’s because Ace was given a second chance and still blew it.
He played the “Farewell tour” and packed it in.
Yea, and his drinking started to cause problems again,so he blew the second chance he was given to be in the band. I wish the original 4 could have worked it out….but I seen the farewell tour and you could tell Ace was not up to par like he was when he first joined for the reunion. In my opinion, no matter if you’re on Kiss’s side or Ace’s side, it’s hard to believe what any of them say…..same for Peter. Four guys who created a great band, have nothing better to do then bash on each other……what a shame!!!!!
I guess you missed where he’s really been begging back in since 2006, even his GF was in on the act a few weekends ago a FB ?
He was begged to return/stay for yet another tour. Keep the cash wagon rolling. He refused so Kiss hired a copycat. They immediately had less success than before having to open for Aerosmith, with Ace still in the band it would have clearly been the other way round. Nothing like he “blew it”, that is just repeating the old addict scheme again and again, he just made a decision. I like many others regret his decision but on the other hand why would he not take the farewell tour for what it could have been (and had been announced), a real farewell to the fans, ending the Kiss chapter on a real high note?
I wouldn’t have Scarlet in my band if I were on a tour to convince Paul & Gene shattin on Ace they were wrong. He should get Cooper’s band, bring it on large.