In a recent interview with “Guitar Tales” with Dave Cohen, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who has been sober since 2006, discussed his decision to finally step away from alcohol nearly two decades ago. He had begun drinking at the age of 13 and battled addiction issues since the 1970s before a conversation with his daughter persuaded him that he had to stop.
“I can go out and people can have one or two cocktails,” Ace said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “It doesn’t bother me anymore. The first or second year in sobriety, it would have bothered me, but I don’t really get urges anymore
Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has been clean since 2006. He recently spoke with Dave Cohen on “Guitar Tales” about his decision to give up booze more than 20 years ago. He began drinking at the age of thirteen and battled addiction throughout the 1970s until his daughter persuaded him to give up.
“Ace said, ‘I can go out and people can have one or two cocktails'” (transcription from BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “I no longer find it bothersome. In my first or second year of recovery, that would have upset me, but I don’t really feel cravings anymore.
According to Frehley, his at-times-strained relationship with fellow KISS co-founders
and Gene Simmons initially contributed to his drinking problem.
“I had really big resentments against Paul and Gene when I quit the band the first time and even the second time,” he explained. “They used to say I got fired, which is complete bullshit. Both times I left on my own accord, and they would perpetuate the myth that they fired me, which is complete bullshit.
According to Frehley, his sometimes contentious r
elationship with fellow KISS co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons was the cause of his drinking problem.
“I had really big resentments against Paul and Gene when I quit the band the first time and even the second time,” he stated. “They used to say that I was fired, which is totally wrong. Though both times I left on my own initiative, they would nevertheless propagate the lie that they fired me, which is complete nonsense.
Ace said that Paul and Gene had “multiply dragged my reputation through the mud.” Even lately, really,” he remarked. “When the tickets for [KISS’s farewell gig at] Madison Square Garden [in New York City] went on sale more than a year ago, they announced to the public that they had invited Bruce Kulick, Peter [Criss], and myself, along with every member of the band over the years. I joined in the beginning. When Paul appeared on “Howard Stern [Show]” and said, “Well, if me and Peter got up on stage, you might as well call the band PISS, which pissed me off,” they were alerting the fans that we would be performing at Madison Square Garden.
Five years ago, Frehley told SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” about the phone conversation that finally made him give up alcohol: “My daughter Monique, who was at the time residing in Florida, called me. Many alcoholics describe their “lightbulb moment” of realization. I got a call from Monique saying, “Dad, I heard you been drinking again.” Yes, but I haven’t done anything else wrong, you know? I reply. I have not yet consumed any Coca-Cola or tablets. “Dad, it’s time to stop,” she says. “You should call your sponsor and ask them to take you to a meeting tonight,” she says. And I glanced at myself in the mirror.
“Every time I perform a concert I usually have meet-and-greets after the show,” he stated. “A minimum of one individual approaches me and shares, ‘Ace, I’ve been clean for two years,’ or ‘Ace, I’ve been clean for five years.'” Because I’m a powerful example, I’m assisting people in leading longer, more fruitful lives. Think for yourself.”
In promotion of his most recent solo album, “10,000 Volts,” which was published in February by MNRK Music Group (previously eOne Music), the original KISS guitarist is still on the road. Ace and Steve Brown produced the record (TRIXTER
It was recently disclosed by Frehley that a third “Origins” book featuring covers of songs by artists that have impacted him will be his next publication. He and Brown will collaborate once more on the project, which has a 2025 deadline.