Chad Taylor's tribute to Ace Frehley Options

[dangum]

25m
There she was… Santa Claus had delivered under our Christmas tree a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard. I was only ten years old but I knew that guitar — because my guitar hero, Ace Frehley, also played a Les Paul. Only his had triple pickups, and — of course — smoke came out of them. LIVE and KISS were four-letter words in our house, and I always dreamed my band would have one of those super cool logos behind us.

Fast forward to 1996: my ultimate dream came true when LIVE and KISS joined forces for three shows on their reunion tour — with all four of the original members in full makeup and costumes. I even found myself alongside Ace in a hotel elevator, though he was too far gone that night to really connect. He truly was Space Ace.

Gene and Paul — despite years of disputes — understood how special it was to be back together. Yes, there were issues (as with any band), but for a little while, magic happened. I got to stand side-stage while Ace pushed KISS through its paces. People forget that he often stood in the center — and it was for good reason. He was a killer guitarist who delivered some of the band’s most memorable solos and countermelodies.

On those reunion shows, the band was either soaring — when Ace was on fire — or stumbling — when he was a lesser version of himself. I always hoped that wouldn’t happen to me. Years later, I faced my own battles with addiction and watched my relationship with music, the stage, and my band evolve in a way that echoed his journey. Hell, I’d be proud to be the Ace Frehley of LIVE.

Today, I am heartbroken. I’m positive Gene, Paul, and Peter will take this very hard — and for everyone in the KISS Army, I’m grieving right there with you.
Rest in peace, Space Ace. Thank you for all the riffs, the smoke, the spectacle, and the inspiration.

https://www.facebook.com/chad.taylor.live/p...w7DNCsuz1gTzBCl