Was Ace Frehley The Most Talented Member of Kiss?

Kiss legends Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley have put down their swords, laid aside their differences, and reunited on a new album by the Space Ace, which sees the former Kiss guitarist delivering a collection of classic rock covers in his trademark laconic drawl.

For many who have served time in the battle-hardened ranks of the Kiss army, Frehley was always the coolest and most naturally talented member of the high-heeled, costumed clowns with a taste for slap and feminine clothing.

Frehley’s chuck it in the bucket, f**k it, and move on attitude was in stark contrast to Paul Stanley’s bubbling over with excitement and friendly labrador demeanor, and the Space Ace’s effortlessly laid back persona often made Gene Simmons’ demonic theatrics look like amateur night at the big top

It’s true, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons may have written the lion’s share of the Kiss catalogue but for every “God of Thunder” and “Detroit Rock City,” there was also such unlistenable dirge as “Bang Bang You” and “Love’s a Deadly Weapon.”

Quality control has always been something of an issue with the “Lennon and McCartney” of the cock rock scene.

Compared with Stanley and Simmons, Frehley may have only written a handful of songs that graced Kiss albums, but nearly every one is a soul scorching, fret destroying, megabeast.

Think “Parasite,” “Gold Gin,” “Shock Me,” “Strange Ways,” and “Flaming Youth.” It may have taken Frehley some time before he found his voice and was confident enough to sing his own songs, but when he did, it wasn’t in the hight pitched and camp style of Stanley, or the affected gruffness of Simmons; it was with a tone from the streets boasting something which Kiss often lacked — credibility.

It’s no secret that when the four Kiss members decided to venture out and each release a solo album, Ace Frehley’s was the only genuine classic amongst the bunch.

If you haven’t heard Ace’s debut masterpiece, you’re missing out big time. From “Rip It Out” to “Fractured Mirror,” the album is a timely reminder that Stanley and Simmons should have let Frehley have more input on the Kiss albums. The guitar, the voice, the delivery. It all combines to create something spectacular that definitely stands the test of time.

The trouble with Frehley is he never really seemed to fulfill his real potential. On successive solo albums, there were always classics such as “Rock Soldiers” and “Into The Night,” but nothing on the scale that would have made Stanley and Simmons think twice about releasing such hellish travesties as Crazy Nights.

Yet, just like a malt whiskey, Frehley was a rare vintage that once again proved himself as the most genuinely talented member of Kiss during their brief reunion.


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