So, like, KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent (you know, the dude who kinda looked like a rejected glam rocker from a hairspray commercial) has decided to grace us with his profound thoughts on the passing of Ace Frehley (the Spaceman, not to be confused with a real astronaut, because, you know, KISS). Apparently, Ace shuffled off this mortal coil last Thursday at the ripe old age of 74. Wow, that’s like, ancient in rock years. 👴🎸
Vincent, who, bless his heart, briefly filled Ace‘s sparkly boots in KISS back in ’82 (before getting the boot himself faster than you can say “contract dispute”), took to his official Facebook page (yes, that’s still a thing) to share his feels. Brace yourselves, people, it’s a doozy. “Ace Frehley gone too soon,” he types, as if 74 isn’t a pretty decent run in the rock ‘n’ roll rat race. 🙄
He continued, “I wanted to say the right words that could describe the loss of a loved one, but nothing I could muster would begin to comfort the millions of fans who idolized worshiped and adored Ace.” Oh, Vinnie, always the wordsmith. We’re pretty sure a simple “RIP Ace” would have sufficed, but where’s the drama in that? 🎭
Apparently, Ace‘s passing sent Vinnie on a journey through his own oh-so-important past. He reminisces about replacing Ace in KISS, a band he, shockingly, “knew little about” and had “no fan interest in.” But hey, who needs passion when there’s fame and fortune to be had? 🤷♂️
He goes on to explain that his “religion” as a 12-year-old was THE BEATLES, because of course it was. And then he name-drops LED ZEPPELIN, Jeff Beck, and MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, because he wants to remind everyone that he’s, like, a *real* musician, you guys. But then, the twist! He found himself replacing Ace in KISS, like some “odd couple gone berserk sitcom.” Oh, the humanity! 🎬
He describes stepping into Ace‘s “bigger than life legend” boots as “similar to learning to walking on stilts.” Once he got used to them, it became as normal as playing his guitar. We’re not sure what’s more absurd, the stilt analogy or the fact that Vinnie Vincent thinks anything about his time in KISS was “normal.” 🤡
Then comes the pièce de résistance: his “one and only encounter” with Ace at the video shoot for “I Love It Loud.” Apparently, he was in “utter disbelief” that the band whose records he was “unfamiliar with” were recording a song he co-wrote with Gene. The nerve! He knocked on Ace‘s dressing room door, “nervous” to meet the legend. Ace‘s words of wisdom? “Hey kid. good luck. you’re gonna need it.” Prophetic, much? 🔮
Fast forward to 2022, and Vinnie and Ace “shared a belated moment of bonding that felt good. Real good.” No pretense, you guys! They actually “liked each other!!!” They even reunited for a “very special KISS legacy show” in Nashville. Awww, how touching. 🥹
He then goes on to ponder whether words can “adequately eulogize the ‘legend’ of Ace Frehley.” Spoiler alert: he doesn’t think so. Apparently, a legend is “all encompassing and all consuming,” and Ace was “all of that and much more.” We’re pretty sure a legend is just someone who’s been around for a while and hasn’t completely embarrassed themselves, but hey, what do we know? 🤷♀️
He declares that Ace Frehley “possessed that special something…. a magic that touched his fans, and they loved him deeply.” Even during Ace‘s “more difficult moments,” his fans stood by him. “You can’t buy that,” Vinnie exclaims. Well, maybe not, but you can certainly sell it on eBay. 💰
Vinnie concludes by saying that Ace‘s “journey here is complete,” and he’s “walked through the portal into eternity.” Deep. He’s “forever proud and grateful to have shared the same KISS ‘forever legacy’ as Ace.” We’re pretty sure Ace would have some choice words about that statement, but alas, he’s no longer available for comment. 🤐
He finishes with a heartfelt “Cheers, my friend. You will be sorely missed by everyone and by me. I will hurt tomorrow and always as I am hurting now.” We’re not sure if he’s hurting because Ace is gone or because he realizes he’s now the second most irrelevant former KISS guitarist, but either way, thoughts and prayers. 🙏
In a December 2023 interview, Ace said he had “never met Vinnie Vincent” until their 2022 performance. “It was real interesting,” he said, adding that they “got along famously.” He also couldn’t resist taking a dig at Paul and Gene, saying their “career is winding down while mine is taking off.” Burn! 🔥
In a separate interview, Ace stated that Vinnie Vincent “played too fast.” He also claimed that Paul used to complain about Vinnie being a “loose cannon” who “doubled the length of the guitar solo.” But hey, at least he’s memorable, right? …Right?
The article then reminds us that Vinnie was in KISS when they “unmasked” in 1983, because apparently that’s still a relevant factoid. He also co-wrote eight of 10 songs on “Lick It Up,” including the title track, which is still a “staple of the group’s live performances.” We’re sure Vinnie brings that up at every family gathering. 🙄
Despite the album’s success, Vinnie got fired, allegedly due to a dispute over money. Shocking, we know. He then formed VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, which recorded two albums that nobody remembers. 🤷
In 1992, he re-teamed with Gene and Paul to write three songs for “Revenge,” but their relationship “quickly soured once again.” Color us surprised. He then released a solo EP in 1996 and “vanished from the public eye” for more than two decades. We’re not sure if that was a choice or if the public eye just collectively forgot he existed. 🤔
In April 2018, he joined Gene at a “Vault” event in Nashville, where he felt he got “a cold reception” and was “treated very indifferently.” Maybe because he’s, you know, Vinnie Vincent? Just a thought. 💭
So there you have it, folks. Vinnie Vincent‘s oh-so-humble tribute to the late, great Ace Frehley. A tale of jealousy, bitterness, and a whole lot of ego. Rest in peace, Ace. You deserved better. 🕊️
Ace Frehley photo credit: Jayme Thornton (because apparently we need to give credit where credit is due, even if the photo is just of Ace looking like he’s trying to remember where he parked his spaceship). 🚀
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