Two weeks ago I lost one of my greatest friends. On that same day I also lost one of my greatest musical heroes. This is an episode I never wanted to have to make. Certainly not under these circumstances. My friend James and I saw KISS back in '92 on the Revenge tour. Long after Ace had left the band and four years before he rejoined, only to leave once again in 2001. It was a terrific show but the memories I hold dearest about that night are not about the killer stage. They are not about the kick ass setlist. They are not about meeting the band before the gig. They are about a night of camaraderie with one of the greatest friends I have ever been blessed with. To say putting this show together was cathartic is an understatement. Time has a sinister way of shading what's really important in life. Jobs, commitments and general bullshit kept getting in the way of connecting like we used to. I wish I knew then what I know now. But, that's not how life works. The way it works is that you hopefully learn from your mistakes and regrets and move forward a wiser person. All of this is to say I miss my friend and while I may not have the time back that I lost I'll cherish the time with the friends that are still here all the more. Old and new.

After Elvis Golden Records, KISS Alive was the second album I ever bought with my own money. The year was 1978, the summer between third and fourth grade. By the time 1979's Dynasty rolled around I had already bough most of the band's back catalog and I continued to buy each new album the week or day they were released. When the band splintered and new members replaced old members I bought each and every solo album from the former members. I say this with complete objectivity...no member of the band, original four or otherwise, released a grater collection of solo material than Ace Frehley. Not every album was a winner, I'm looking at you Second Sighting, but each one had at least a handful of outstanding songs on offer. For this episode I've curated my faveorite Ace Frehley songs across his 51 year career. I've chosen songs from the very first KISS album, 1974's self titled debut through to the final project in Aces's lifetime, 2004's 10,000 Volts. These songs have brought me joy and they will continue to do so for the rest of my days.

Here's to James and Ace! Both one of a kind! Both dearly missed. 🤘