The Days of Lore

Black Friday: Ace is God … still

Friday, December 19th, 2008 | musiX, pdX | 2 Comments

I just finished up a year-end list for another publication, which included not only albums, but shows, books, movies–anything music-related. I had to check the archive to jog my memory, since I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Maybe the paint fumes coming from the apartment below are melting my brain … but it smells so good.

I stumbled upon a column I wrote about going to see original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley at a club in San Francisco back in March. I remember being reluctant to attend the show at first, but I eventually caved at the behest of my friend who is such a KISS freak, I think he actually sleeps in his Peter Criss boots. Adding to the fun was the fact that my friend and I would be meeting up with a guy who was known to find out where the rockers stay so that he could have them autograph photos and records with silver Sharpies.

Sure enough, he discovered that Ace was staying at The Prescott Hotel. We hung out in the lobby and the bar all afternoon, and when all was said and done, ended up with a few illegible Sharpied signatures. But, to hell with all that. The actual show was great. Ace played songs from his 1978 solo record, a few from his Frehley’s Comet days (for better or worse) and a handful of his KISS ditties including “Hard Times” and “Shock Me.” It sure shocked me.

But that’s not the only reason I’ve got Ace on my mind. I recently read the Portland Mercury music blog, where they’ve been running a series of posts under the heading of “Arctic Death: A Salute to the Winter Weather,” an homage to the recent snowfall here in the Pacific Northwest. The first entry was dedicated to Black Sabbath’s ode to frigidity, “Snowblind.” A great song, I thought, but my mind immediately went to Ace Frehley’s “Snow Blind” (two words), a rocking rock song that rocks, and includes Ace’s penchant for penning ridiculous lyrics: “I’m snow blind, I can’t see a thing / I’m snow blind, I don’t wanna sing.”

I don’t wanna sing? How about, “Don’t know what to bring.” Or “My hands start to sting.” No? Ah well, maybe if I inhale enough paint fumes I’ll come up with something better. The Space Ace is still working on new material, which should see the light of day around the same time KISS is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Snow Blind” - Ace Frehley

“Ozone” - Ace Frehley

Tags: “Snowblind”, Ace Frehley, Black Friday, Black Sabbath, KISS, metal