Ace Frehley is a legendary American musician and songwriter, best known as the original lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Kiss. He is also known as The Spaceman or Space Ace, a persona he created and performed with from 1973 to 1982 and 1996 to 2002. He has released several solo albums and formed his band, Frehley’s Comet, in the 1980s. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic guitarists in rock history and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss in 2014. This content will explore his net worth, wiki, biography, relationship, age, height, and career.
Early Life and Education
Ace Frehley was born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York City. He is the youngest of three children of Esther Anna (Hecht) and Carl Daniel Frehley. His father was of Dutch descent, and his mother was of North Carolina origin. He has a sister, Nancy, and a brother, Charles, a classical guitarist. Frehley grew up in a musical family, as both his parents played piano, and his father also played the church organ. He received his first electric guitar as a Christmas gift in 1964 and taught himself how to play by listening to records and watching other musicians. He was influenced by guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Albert Lee, and B.B. King. In his youth, he joined a street gang called the Ducky Boys but later left it to focus on music.
Frehley attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx but dropped out before graduating. He then worked odd jobs, such as delivering newspapers, driving a taxi, and working at a liquor store. He also played in local bands like The Outrage, King Kong, The Magic People, and Honey.
Career with Kiss
Frehley’s career took off when he auditioned for a new band formed by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in 1972. His playing style and attitude impressed them, and he was hired as the lead guitarist. The band was initially called Wicked Lester but later changed its name to Kiss. Frehley also came up with the idea of painting their faces with different characters and chose the Spaceman persona for himself. He also designed the logo of the band, which features two lightning bolts resembling the Nazi SS symbol.
Kiss released their self-titled debut album in 1974, followed by Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill in 1975. The band succeeded with their live album Alive! in 1975, featuring their signature song, “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Kiss became one of the most popular and successful bands of the 1970s, known for their elaborate stage shows, pyrotechnics, costumes, and makeup. Frehley contributed to the songwriting and singing of some of their hits, such as “Cold Gin,” “Shock Me,” “Rocket Ride,” and “New York Groove”.
In 1978, each member of Kiss released a solo album under their name. Frehley’s solo album was the most successful of the four, reaching platinum status and spawning the hit single “New York Groove.” However, tensions began to rise within the band due to creative differences, drug abuse, and ego clashes. Frehley became increasingly dissatisfied with the band’s direction, especially after they decided to remove their makeup and adopt a more mainstream sound in the early 1980s. He also felt that he needed to be given more credit or respect for his contributions to the band. He left Kiss in 1982 after releasing their album Creatures of the Night.
Solo Career and Frehley’s Comet
After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a solo career and formed his band, Frehley’s Comet, in 1984. The band consisted of Frehley on guitar and vocals, Todd Howarth on keyboards and vocals, John Regan on bass, and Anton Fig on drums. Frehley’s Comet released two albums, Frehley’s Comet (1987) and Second Sighting (1988), which featured songs such as “Rock Soldiers,” “Into the Night,” and “It’s Over Now.” The band also toured extensively, opening for acts like Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper. However, the band failed to succeed commercially and underwent several lineup changes. Frehley eventually disbanded Frehley’s Comet and released a solo album called Trouble Walkin’ in 1989, which included a cover of The Beatles’ “Hide Your Love.”
In the 1990s, Frehley struggled with personal and financial problems and drug and alcohol addiction. He was involved in a car accident in 1990, which left him with a broken wrist and a concussion. He also faced lawsuits from his former bandmates and managers and filed for bankruptcy in 1995. He spent most of the decade in seclusion, working on new music and recovering from his addictions.
Reunion with Kiss and Later Projects
In 1996, Frehley rejoined Kiss for a highly anticipated reunion tour, which featured the original lineup of the band wearing their makeup and costumes for the first time since 1983. The tour was a huge success, breaking box office records and attracting millions of fans. The band also released a new studio album, Psycho Circus, in 1998, which featured two songs co-written by Frehley, “Into the Void” and “You Wanted the Best.” However, the reunion was short-lived, as Frehley left Kiss again in 2002 after the end of their farewell tour. He cited disagreements over money and creative control as the reasons for his departure.
Frehley resumed his solo career in the 2000s, releasing two albums, Anomaly (2009) and Space Invader (2014), which received positive reviews from critics and fans. He collaborated with artists like Slash, Pearl Jam, and Lita Ford. He also appeared on television shows, such as That Metal Show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, and Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss but did not perform with them at the ceremony due to conflicts with Stanley and Simmons. He released his third solo album, Origins Vol. 1, in 2016, which featured covers of songs by his influences and friends, such as Cream, The Rolling Stones, and Thin Lizzy. He also reunited with his former Frehley’s Comet bandmates for a special concert in 2017. He released his fourth solo album, Origins Vol. 2, in 2020, which included covers of songs by Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and Jimi Hendrix.
Relationship Status
Frehley has been married twice in his life. He first married Jeanette Trerotola in 1976, whom he met through his sister Nancy. They had a daughter together, Monique, who was born in 1978. They divorced in 1984 after eight years of marriage. His second marriage was to Rachael Gordon in 2000, whom he met through a mutual friend. They have been together ever since but have faced some legal issues recently. In 2019, Frehley filed a restraining order against Gordon, accusing her of domestic abuse and theft. He also claimed that she was mentally unstable and had threatened to kill him and his family. Gordon denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Frehley, accusing him of cheating on her and abusing her physically and emotionally. The case is still pending in court.
Age and Height
Frehley is currently 72 years old as of April 2021. He is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs around 180 lbs (82 kg). He has blue eyes and blonde hair, often dying black or brown. He has several tattoos, including a Kiss logo on his chest, a Spaceman on his arm, and a dragon on his leg.
Ace Frehley Net Worth
Ace Frehley has an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2021. He has earned most of his wealth from his career as a musician, both with Kiss and as a solo artist. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide with Kiss, making them one of the best-selling bands ever. He has also sold over 10 million records as a solo artist. He owns several properties, including a mansion in San Diego, California, and a ranch in Wilton, Connecticut. He also owns a collection of guitars, cars, and memorabilia.
Conclusion
Ace Frehley is one of rock’s most legendary and influential guitarists. He is best known as the original lead guitarist and co-founder of Kiss, one of the most successful and iconic bands ever. He is also known as The Spaceman or Space Ace, a persona he created and performed with for many years. He has released several solo albums and formed his band, Frehley’s Comet, in the 1980s. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Kiss in 2014. He is married to Rachael Gordon, but they face some legal issues.
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