As Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley gears up for a big tour with Alice Cooper in Australia next month, he had some warm up dates around the New York area this past week. One of the shows that was highlighted on the calendar was the show at The Chance in Poughkeepsie. Frehley has played there numerous times over the years but unfortunately had to cancel last year’s date due to some unforeseen medical issues. With a clean bill of health, Frehley and his band (Richie Scarlet on guitar, Scott Coogan on drums and Chris Wyse on bass) were ready to give the eager crowd a heavy dose of good ole fashion rock and roll. What made the show even more appetizing was the opening band Four by Fate. That band consists of former Frehley’s Comet band members Tod Haworth and John Regan. The guys acknowledged there would be some sort of special reunion and it did happen but we will get to that in a bit. I should also mention Frehley just celebrated 11 years of sobriety and looks more physically fit now than he has in years.
Around 9:30 pm, longtime Frehley tour manger John Ostronomy introduced the band and they came out ready to go as they kicked into the KISS gem “Parasite.” Scarlett who is the ultimate showman, made an immediate connection with the crowd as he gazed at them playing his guitar right at the edge of the stage. He and Frehley were a perfect complement with each other. As you can see, years of playing on and off with each other and getting to know each other tendencies pays off.
Wyse enjoyed the spotlight as well as he gave an impressive bass solo. For the songs that required a higher vocal range, drummer Scott Coogan was more than up to the task to handle those duties. He sang leads on “Love Gun” and “Detroit Rock City.”
Frehley incorporated a wide range of songs that included his solo material, cover material and KISS material. He of course brought out the guitar that lights up for the track “New York Groove.” As everyone knows Frehley for and always the highlight of any of his shows is the smoking guitar that he brings out for “Shock Me.” This is always a crowd pleaser and no matter how many times you see it, it never gets old.
Scarlett took lead vocals on “2 Young to Die” and dedicated it to the late great Eric Carr (who ironically is laid to rest right up the road about 20 minutes away in Newburgh, NY).
The part of the show that was highly anticipated and came to fruition was the partial reunion of Frehley’s Comet members as Haworth and Regan joined Frehley for “Rock Soldiers.” Coogan remained as original drummer Anton Fig couldn’t join them but still, it was cool to see Regan and Haworth up front and center playing with Frehley. All 3 had wide smiles and it was like putting on an old shoe. The 3 along with Coogan did a bang-up job as the fans ate it up. Those guys remained and were joined by Scarlet, Wyse and lead guitarist for Four by Fate Patrick James for “Cold Gin.”
The band left and then came back for the encore with the 2 KISS classics ‘Detroit Rock City” and “Deuce.”
Frehley still sounds great and probably plays now with more enthusiasm than he ever has. What a night for The Chance to have this show and to host the partial Frehley’s Comet reunion. The fans down under are in for a real treat!
Setlist:
Parasite (KISS cover)
Toys
Rip it Out
Emerald (Thin Lizzy cover)
Love Gun (KISS cover)
Rocket Ride (KISS cover)
Sister
Bass solo
Strange Ways (KISS cover)
New York Groove (Hello cover)
2 Young 2 Die
Shock Me (KISS cover)
Ace Frehley guitar solo
Rock Soldiers (partial Frehley’s comet reunion with John Regan and Tod Haworth)
Cold Gin (partial Frehley’s comet reunion with John Regan and Tod Haworth along with Patrcik James)
Encore:
Detroit Rock City (KISS cover)
Deuce (KISS cover)
We would like to thank John Ostronomy from Ace’s management team and Frank Pallet from The Chance for the credentials to review the show.
