Ace Frehley @ The Forum, Melbourne (02/05/2015)
Ace Frehley came to Melbourne, the Kiss Army was there to welcome him, and the Spaceman did not disappoint!
While he was backed by an impressive collection of musicians (Richie Scarlet – guitar, Chris Wyse – bass, and Scot Coogan – drums), it was clear from the start that the original lead guitarist for Kiss wasn’t content with just trading on his name. He wanted to rock, and for around two hours fans were treated to a twenty song set that featured his exemplary playing. Known in the early stages of his career as being shy or reluctant about taking on lead vocals, Ace was certainly comfortable about doing so in the live setting. |
For Australian Kiss fans of the late 70s
and early 80s, Frehley songs like 2000 Man (a Rolling Stones cover from
Dynasty) and Talk To Me (from Unmasked) were essential listening and
hearing them in the live setting was sensational. For some tracks he did
share the lead vocal duties around with his bandmates but this never
came across as mere filler. Rather it just meant that the fans got a
broad range of Kiss classics and Ace got to prove his guitar showmanship
even further.
The songs covered all aspects of his career. He did dig deep into his back catalogue with tracks from the debut Kiss album (Deuce, Strutter) all the way up to last year’s Space Invader solo set (Gimme A Feelin’, Toys), and all of it was lapped up by the enthusiastic crowd. Rip It Out, Snow Blind and New York Groove (which was another highlight) came from his debut solo album Ace Frehley (in 1978 all four members of Kiss delivered “solo” albums and Frehley’s has long been considered the best of that collection). Breakout and Rock Soldiers from his Frehley’s Comet album also went over a treat. Throw in more Kiss classics (Love Gun, Rocket Ride, King of the Night Time World, Parasite, Strange Way, and Shock Me) and you can see why the crowd absolutely loved it! Cap it off with an extended Ace Frehley guitar solo (complete with a smoke producing Gibson Les Paul) and an encore that included Detroit Rock City and you have had yourself a great night out!
Ace Frehley came across as a man who was enjoying his craft. His music is heavy rock but there is a melody that constantly underpins his sound. A lot of the crowd have been with him since the early days of his musical journey and it was a pleasure to see once again what it is about live music that makes it special. Ace Frehley was a quality performer, an exceptional musician, who made the people looking on feel happy! Rock on Spaceman!
Darren Parker
The songs covered all aspects of his career. He did dig deep into his back catalogue with tracks from the debut Kiss album (Deuce, Strutter) all the way up to last year’s Space Invader solo set (Gimme A Feelin’, Toys), and all of it was lapped up by the enthusiastic crowd. Rip It Out, Snow Blind and New York Groove (which was another highlight) came from his debut solo album Ace Frehley (in 1978 all four members of Kiss delivered “solo” albums and Frehley’s has long been considered the best of that collection). Breakout and Rock Soldiers from his Frehley’s Comet album also went over a treat. Throw in more Kiss classics (Love Gun, Rocket Ride, King of the Night Time World, Parasite, Strange Way, and Shock Me) and you can see why the crowd absolutely loved it! Cap it off with an extended Ace Frehley guitar solo (complete with a smoke producing Gibson Les Paul) and an encore that included Detroit Rock City and you have had yourself a great night out!
Ace Frehley came across as a man who was enjoying his craft. His music is heavy rock but there is a melody that constantly underpins his sound. A lot of the crowd have been with him since the early days of his musical journey and it was a pleasure to see once again what it is about live music that makes it special. Ace Frehley was a quality performer, an exceptional musician, who made the people looking on feel happy! Rock on Spaceman!
Darren Parker