Following his death on October 16 at the age of 74, founding Kiss member and guitarist Ace Frehley is remembered by fans and fellow rockstars for representing the heart of what Kiss represented -- louder than life music, out-of-this-world extravagance, and pure undeniable rock 'n' roll.
During his years in Kiss, Frehley took to the stage as the intergalactic "Spaceman," donning silver star face paint, Flash Gordon-esque capes, and guitars that either smoked, sparked, or lit up the stage. His signature guitar playing style and iconic riffs he provided through Kiss inspired a variety of other artists to pick up the guitar, forever cementing his legacy in the rock and metal genres.
Not only did Frehley design Kiss' signature lightning bolt style logo, but he's also responsible for many of the band's considerably best songs. In remembrance of one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, here are the best Kiss songs featuring Space Ace.
Best Ace Frehley Kiss songs
"Shock Me" - Love Gun (1977)
A near-death experience at a concert was Frehley's inspiration behind one of Kiss' greatest songs. While performing a show in Florida in 1976, Frehley placed his hand on a metal railing that wasn't properly grounded and was electrocuted. The concert had to be delayed for some time, but Kiss eventually completed the show.
After being shocked, Frehley later spoke about how he lost feeling in his hand for the remainder of the concert. Not long after this incident, Space Ace wrote "Shock Me" and presented the completed song to the rest of the band. Featuring one of his greatest guitar solos, "Shock Me" also marks the first time that Frehley took on lead vocals for a Kiss song (something he was always hesitant to do).
"Parasite" - Hotter Than Hell (1974)
Through it's unforgettable, chugging openning riff, critics have said that "Parasite" is an underrated and flawless execution of proto-punk. One of three songs written by Frehley for Kiss' sophomore album Hotter Than Hell (alongside "Strange Ways" and "Comin' Home"), "Parasite" is one of Kiss' best songs due to its grungy sonic atmosphere.
In another timeline, Frehley would've also provided lead vocals for this track. However, his greatness is still seen through the song's undeniable heaviness and explosive riffage.
"Rocket Ride" - Alive II (1978)
The second single to arrive ahead of Kiss' second live album Alive II, "Rocket Ride" is a groovy, borderline danceable track, but the punchy composition of this track in no way takes away from it's quintessential 1970s rock glamor.
Following "Shock Me," this song marks the second time Frehley stepped up to the mic. Recalling to mind images of Frehley's otherworldly onstage persona, as well as the not-so-subtle sexual undertone that is so signature to Kiss, "Rocket Ride" carries with it the hard rock attitude and ethos that Frehley became synonymous with.
"Cold Gin" - Kiss (1974)
With "Cold Gin," featured on the group's self-titled debut album, it seems Kiss were bound for rock 'n' roll superstardom right from the start. Opening with a groovy and steady opening riff, "Cold Gin" exudes everything that the rockstar lifestyle holds: excess, confidence, and alcohol. Obviously.
One of the band's most recognizable tracks, "Cold Gin" became a liveshow staple for both Kiss and Frehley when he toured as a solo act. Writing the lyrics and the composition for the song, Frehley once again didn't offer vocals due to his insecurity about singing at the time.
Therefore, Gene Simmons took on vocals (despite his reputation for never consuming alcohol), and thus "Cold Gin" was born. When performing the song over the years, Frehley would often provide vocals for some verses during shows, and Frehley would often solo during this song.
"Rock Bottom" - Dressed To Kill (1975)
Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed To Kill stand as a holy trinity within the Kiss catalogue, conveying raw, louder than life, and unfiltered rock music in a way only Kiss could. With "Rock Bottom," their talent and magnetic sonic power are encaspulated flawlessly.
Opening with a somber acoustic opening number, this cincematic introduction soon breaks into an upbeat, gritty beat. This dichotomy between the melodic intro (written by Paul Stanley and Frehley), and the hard-hitting remainder of the song make it a standout Kiss track.
"Hard Times" - Dynasty (1979)
Dynasty portrayed Kiss taking on a more pop-inspired sound, much to the dismay of many fans. While the majority of the album's songs - including highlight track "I Was Made For Lovin' You " - adopt a heavy disco influence, Frehley contributed three songs to the record that keep it a bit more grounded.
These songs include "Save Your Love," a cover of the Rolling Stones' "2000 Man," and "Hard Times." Providing lead vocals on "Hard Times," the song carries with it Frehley's signature vocal grit and enticing sonic identity. Through this classic track about living the rough life in the city, Frehley's confidence makes it clear he definitely overcame his previous fear of singing.
"Two Sides Of The Coin" - Unmasked (1980)
Similarly to Dynasty, Kiss stayed on a more pop-inspired route with their following studio album Unmasked. Also in the same vein of Dynasty, while Stanley and Simmons wanted to expand their audience by incorporating pop elements in their work, Frehley wanted to keep the band's hard rock sound.
As a result, the overall album is very pop compared to the likes of Hotter Than Hell for instance, but Frehley's songwriting contributions on the songs "Talk To Me," "Torpedo Girl," and "Two Sides Of The Coin" ensure that the album didn't stray too far from the path of rock 'n' roll.
Continuing to come into his own on the vocal side of things, "Two Sides Of The Coin" essentially proves that, no matter the circumstances, Frehley maintains his love and portrayal of authentic hard rock.
"New York Groove" - Ace Frehley (1978)
If one were to pick one song that defines Space Ace's extensive musical career, without a doubt their first answer would be his iconic cover of "New York Groove." In 1978, all four Kiss members released their own self-titled solo album through the Kiss label, with each member writing their respective albums entirely on their own with no outside writers.
On his solo effort, Frehley included his rendition of "New York Groove," originally written in 1975 by glam rock outfit Hello. By putting his own louder and flashier spin on the original recording, Frehley's hit reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest charting single of any of the four Kiss solo albums.
Compared to his fellow bandmates, Frehley -- as always -- maintained a heavy rock sound on his record rather than experimenting with different genres. Ace Frehley ended up being the highest-selling of the four solo albums, and it holds a legacy as a truly defining and solid body of work within Frehley's catalogue.