Spinner

Ace Frehley Celebrates Nearly Four Years of Sobriety

Ace FrehleyIt's no secret that the '70s were the height of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. As the guitarist for Kiss, 'Space' Ace Frehley had no problem partaking in the perks that came with his stature during that decade of decadence -- as he told Spinner last year, "For a long time I was missing in action."

But that was the old Frehely. He's been sober for four years now and was recently on hand at the Grammy Foundation's annual MusiCares concert in L.A., an event that celebrates musicians and their sobriety. Once known for his partying, Frehley tells Spinner that he's truly a changed man. "Years ago I was a crazy party animal and people used to come up to me and say, 'Man, Ace, I got wasted the other night just like you,'" he says. "Now I've got fans coming up to me saying, 'Hey, you got sober and you're one of the reasons I decided to get sober.' I get that kind of feedback now when I meet fans, when I read fan mail and there's nothing better than that."

Still, Frehley is used to hearing that he's been an influence on people, only it's usually guitarists that sing his praises. At MusiCares, he shared the stage with Slash and the Donnas' Alison Robertson, who are both big fans of Frehley. "It's always great playing with other musicians. It's also a great situation where I'm the older guy, I've influenced generations of guitar players," Frehley says. "It's always good to walk in a room and know everybody kind of looks up to you because I guess I've earned it."

Indeed, he has earned that admiration from guitarists and the adulation for being sober. So, which means more to him: the praise as a guitarist or for being sober? "I think the sober thing is more important because I've been getting that guitar thing for a long time," he says. "I'm only coming up on four years sobriety September 15, so that's more special."

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SANJAY

WE HEARD THIS BEFORE ACE...AROUND THE REUNION TIME IN 96, IN A GUITAR MAG INTERVIEW WITH DIMEBAG IN 94...YOU ARE ME FAVORITE MEMBER OF KISS...BUT IS THIS REALLY TRUE...OR ANOTHER SMOKE SCREEN JUST LIKE WHAT YOU SHOOT OUT OF YOUR GUITARS...I HOPE I AM WRONG....

July 03 2010 at 12:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
edgerules

Ace is an awesome player and a great person. Had the pleasure of meeting him several times. I am so SO proud of Ace for getting sober and sticking with it. I have been praying for this a long time. I hope and pray he keeps it up. Rock on Ace.

June 06 2010 at 9:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jimbotime17

How can you say a Has Been? This man stepped on the stage of EVERY major venue in the WORLD and performed for you! There's a very finite group of humans that can lay that claim. Congrats on your first 4! I'm hitting my ninth. If you every have any doubt, just step back and look at how great your life is now. There is absolutely no doubt that your life is better now and I don't even know you. But I KNOW that it is! You KNOW that it is! It's an argument that you can't lose. Right? There is no one on the planet [or in space lol] that can say you or I were better people when we were drunk. I raise my glass of ice coffee to many more years for everyone who's with us! Carry On!

June 06 2010 at 7:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave

I love ACE but there's no way in hell he's been sober for four years.

I saw him on his Rocket Ride tour in Kansas City at a local casino two-three years ago, I'd have to look at the ticket stub to be sure, but he was bombed after the show. A bunch of us were waiting around to get autographs and the casino employees were coming out of the venue commenting on how much the guy could drink.

The rest of the band was in the halls signing auto's and takinf pics with the fans. ACE showed up out of a side door on his way to the tour bus, leaning into his handler to get to the bus. Dude said ACE was just really tired and wanted to get on the bus to rest.

ACE IS ACE, But don't B.S. Us ! We Love Ya, Brother !!!

May 16 2010 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Dave's comment
Scott

Personally, I believe Ace over you.

May 28 2010 at 9:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave

You are entitled to your opinion. I was just stating my situation involving Ace. I'm not going to get my Dynasty Album cover tattoo removed because I'm positive ACE lied about his sobriety or that someone on the flip-side of the computer doubts me.

Take Care !

Have a safe weekend :-)

May 29 2010 at 4:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daryll

Been a huge fan of Ace's since the beginning of KISS. I hear Ace is writing a book (a me-moire, ack!)and stated he's contacting old roadies, managers, etc.. I wonder if he's going to contact Bob McAdams and Gordon Gebert, the guys who wrote the book KISS and Tell, which is a great book if you want to read about Ace's crazy life.

May 16 2010 at 1:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
johnny five

Boy I wish that could do it! good 4 you!!

May 16 2010 at 9:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BONNIE LITOSTANSKI

CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR FOUR YEARS OF SOBRIETY ACE.
LOVE YA MAN , KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK!!!

May 16 2010 at 9:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Craig

Beware the humility. Pedestals serve plants better than people.

A member in good standing since 1989 and it's always just for today.

May 12 2010 at 5:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
schlauger1

Mike Q: Damn straight. I quit 1/1/'96 and didn't look back. After a year I was cured. The dry drunk was over and done. The relapse? I f'd up. I cured myself again. Be proactive and don't look back. You're the only one in the driver's seat, not the "Higher Power" and the other "diseased" people and the 12 tedious steps. All of that rehashing and telling yourself you're a sicko and need the weekly or daily group hug and whine the rest of your life, is all just another crutch. Be free of the whole idea of alcohol or drugs. Stop thinking about it. Use your brain power for forward thinking. It's very liberating and self-affirming and makes you feel like a king, powerful, not a slave to a substance or a theory that entraps you in another way.

May 12 2010 at 4:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike Q

blindie---Thank you for speaking a part of my mind! I went with a friend to an AA meeting. I saw all of these people saying "I'm so and so and I'm an alcoholic" or? And I've been clean for 22years. What??? Screw that! If you've been clean for 22years you've earned the right to say "I'm NOT an alcoholic anymore, I just have to be careful!" Don't let something continue to control you after you got back in control! You earned it! Of course if you really WANT to say this, go for it. I jst feel you would feel so much better when you can then admit you won, you beat it. WW1 ended and years later there was WW2. They weren't still saying "I'm in WW1 but haven't fought in 15years" That war ENDED! Take back your life, you won! Just stay out of future wars!

May 12 2010 at 4:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply