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Product Description
Product Description
Born into a regular Bronx family, and inspired by the likes of Hendrix, Led Zepellin, and the Kinks, Ace Frehley first picked up his brother's guitar at the age of 12. He had already performed in a number of bands when, in January 1973, he auditioned for an ad that read: "Guitarist wanted with flash and balls." Within a week he was invited to join - the band was KISS. Frehley explains how the band developed their style in the early days, making their own clothes, wearing make-up and platform shoes. Ace himself even designed the band's double lightning bolt logo. Before long his persona "the Spaceman" was born and the familiar KISS look established - almost overnight they left behind 1,500 seater theatres in the Midwest and were playing sold-out stadiums around the world. Life in KISS was a whirlwind of accidents, overdoses and excess. Ace partied with the likes of John Belushi and Nic Nolte and enjoyed the seemingly endless supply of fringe benefits that came from being in one of the most successful bands in the history of rock 'n' roll. But soon problems with substance abuse would lead to his leaving the band in 1982, before returning for a second tenure in 1996. Ace in the Hole is the story of KISS but much more than that - it's the story of a kid from the Bronx who found purpose and salvation through music and rose to the top. It's the story of a guy who lived life to the fullest and almost forfeited his life as a result. And ultimately it's a survival story - Ace is alive and kicking, still making music and influencing a new generation of guitarists.
About the Author
Ace Frehley is a founding member and former lead guitarist for the legendary rock band KISS, which has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and is ranked among the top-selling rock bands of all time.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a fan of Ace Frehley and was really looking forward to receiving and reading this book. It is a typical tale of rock and roll excess; young musician makes it big and then falls into a life of drugs, sex and booze. Ace's book is a warts and all biography; at times it made for uncomfortable reading especially some of his exploits when his addictions were at their worse. He details the tensions in the band particularly with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. However, after reading some of his tales, I can understand how they could be frustrated with him due to his addictions.
Ace comes across as a likeable guy. I did enjoy reading this but not as much as I anticipated. For me personally, the stories of his exploits when addicted to drugs and alcohol, at times were too much. However, he states how he is now sober and all credit to him.
This was an enjoyable read, well written with a sense of humour.
Ace comes across as a likeable guy. I did enjoy reading this but not as much as I anticipated. For me personally, the stories of his exploits when addicted to drugs and alcohol, at times were too much. However, he states how he is now sober and all credit to him.
This was an enjoyable read, well written with a sense of humour.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read many books on Kiss and various autobiographies,this is average,nothing really new to tell and most pretty well documented elsewhere,i should have realised when the dust jacket referred to his 'smash' solo career that things might be unrealistic.At times very boring re the the endless look what i did when stoned/drunk/both... delete where applicable,with countless references to his imaginary guardian angel.
What i would have preferred was a more in depth discusion re his departures from Kiss,which are pretty much glossed over, his side of the story re Wendy Moore's book,into the void.which in years gone by he was going to tell all and refute,he mentions her once,a put down calling her his 'cleaning lady',if you see the photos in her book,she was clearly more,another opportunity lost.
Ace somewhat delusionally see's himself as a wise ass,street wise type of guy,in touch with the real world more than Paul and Gene,yet this street wise guy managed to blow it twice,sign away the make up rights(not covered at all) and have pretty much no career after Kiss and manage to release only 4 solo albums in approx 30 years.
Its easy to see why Gene and Paul lost patience,im sure they are both both driven ,egotistical and hard work but Ace appears to fail to recognise so is he,his so called special relationship with Peter Criss,extends only too drink and drugs,certainly not enough to merit any great career together post Kiss.. i wonder why?
Sadly Ace really does fail to appreciate that its all his own doing,that he reserves his most anger for Gene rather than himself says it all,delusional, regards the Detroit Rock City movie incident,i'm sure Ace's daughter was regularly much more hurt by her fathers behaviour than any percieved snub by Simmons,once again Ace passing the buck.
As a long time Kiss fan,Ace being my favourite memeber ,i was always going to get this,i feared the worst,hoped for the best,i really wanted Ace to open up ,explain his side of the story,refute the allegations in Wendy Moore's book,he does none of this,this is an average read,could and should have been so much better.
On a positive note,there are some decent photos,a few glimpses into his early days with Kiss but not enough to merit more than 3 stars.
What i would have preferred was a more in depth discusion re his departures from Kiss,which are pretty much glossed over, his side of the story re Wendy Moore's book,into the void.which in years gone by he was going to tell all and refute,he mentions her once,a put down calling her his 'cleaning lady',if you see the photos in her book,she was clearly more,another opportunity lost.
Ace somewhat delusionally see's himself as a wise ass,street wise type of guy,in touch with the real world more than Paul and Gene,yet this street wise guy managed to blow it twice,sign away the make up rights(not covered at all) and have pretty much no career after Kiss and manage to release only 4 solo albums in approx 30 years.
Its easy to see why Gene and Paul lost patience,im sure they are both both driven ,egotistical and hard work but Ace appears to fail to recognise so is he,his so called special relationship with Peter Criss,extends only too drink and drugs,certainly not enough to merit any great career together post Kiss.. i wonder why?
Sadly Ace really does fail to appreciate that its all his own doing,that he reserves his most anger for Gene rather than himself says it all,delusional, regards the Detroit Rock City movie incident,i'm sure Ace's daughter was regularly much more hurt by her fathers behaviour than any percieved snub by Simmons,once again Ace passing the buck.
As a long time Kiss fan,Ace being my favourite memeber ,i was always going to get this,i feared the worst,hoped for the best,i really wanted Ace to open up ,explain his side of the story,refute the allegations in Wendy Moore's book,he does none of this,this is an average read,could and should have been so much better.
On a positive note,there are some decent photos,a few glimpses into his early days with Kiss but not enough to merit more than 3 stars.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have been a KISS fan for many years and spotted this book by chance and so bought it. It's surprisingly well written, but more importantly, very informative and insightful into the inner workings of this great rock band. Ace takes us right through the whole history of the band, through to him leaving and embarking on his solo career and then onto the reformation of the original band.
He does go into great detail about the trappings of the rock star life (i.e. drugs, women, flash cars) but also gives us mere mortals a glimpse into what it was like for a young man in his twenties to suddenly find himself with piles of cash, unimaginable fame, and how it must have been for him.
My only gripe with the book is Ace's meandering stories about UFOs towards the end of the book. That said, it's still a great read with some interesting photos too.
He does go into great detail about the trappings of the rock star life (i.e. drugs, women, flash cars) but also gives us mere mortals a glimpse into what it was like for a young man in his twenties to suddenly find himself with piles of cash, unimaginable fame, and how it must have been for him.
My only gripe with the book is Ace's meandering stories about UFOs towards the end of the book. That said, it's still a great read with some interesting photos too.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
This book is ok
Way too many stories of drinking and drugging. Too few stories of how it was to be a guitarist in KISS, the good sides and the bad sides. Who is Ace Frehley ... Read more
Published 4 months ago by murenan
Disappointed
Ace Frehley is a rock God in my eyes, but gave up on this book halfway through and started skipping to the end :-(. Read more
Published 5 months ago by MrGeezer
Great bio of one of the best & influential guitar players
Great bio of one of the best & influential guitar players. Very interesting book for KISS & no KISS fans. Contains rare photos never seen before.
Published 5 months ago by DACENIEL
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