Guitar legend and former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley took part in the annual “Celebrate Erie” festival by performing during it this past Saturday night. Frehley has tweaked his band since the last time we saw him by bringing in Matt Starr on drums, replacing the departed Scott Coogan. Longtime bassist Anthony Esposito and rhythm guitarist Todd Youth round out the rest of Ace’s band. Ace took the stage to a whopping crowd which was estimated to be well over 20,000 people.
Coming out to a huge crowd chant of “Ace!” “Ace!” “Ace!”, the band went right into “Rip it Out,” off of the first solo album Ace ever recorded under the KISS moniker back in 1978. Next up was “Parasite,” one of the earliest classic KISS songs from 1975’s “Hotter than Hell” release. Wearing a black sportcoat and, now traditional, dark sunglasses, Ace was in great spirits playing mostly KISS songs with a few solo songs sprinkled in. Ace shared vocal duties as Youth took lead on “Flaming Youth,” Esposito on “Strange Ways,” and Starr on “Love Gun.”
What is an Ace show without the smoking guitar solo? That came in half way through the set. He hasn’t brought out the light up guitar that he traditionally uses for “NY Groove” in a few years now, but he did let the Mayor of Erie, PA, Joseph E. Sinnott, join the band onstage to sing the song. The mayor held his own and Ace and the band welcomed him with open arms as he didn’t miss a verse singing along with the guys. For fans of “Anamoly,” (Ace’s last solo effort in 2009) you would have been disappointed as only one track “Sister” was played from it.
Ace seems happier than ever and most importantly, is having fun playing again. Sobriety and a clear mind will allow you those things and I for one am glad that Ace is enjoying it!
Setlist:
Fractured Mirror intro
Rip it Out
Parasite (KISS song)
Sister
Snowblind/I Want You (KISS song)
Rock Soldiers
Love Her All I Can (KISS song)
2,000 Man (The Rolling Stones cover)
She (KISS song)
Hard Times (KISS song)
NY Groove (Hello cover)
Flaming Youth (KISS song)
Rocket Ride (KISS song)
Strange Ways (KISS song)
Shock Me (KISS song)
Guitar solo
Shout it Out Loud (KISS song)
Deuce (KISS song)
Encore:
Love Gun (KISS song)
Cold Gin (KISS song)
We would like to thank John Ostrosky for allowing BackstageAxxess to review the show. Stay tuned for an exclusive one on one with the original space man himself!
