Ace Frehley, the former lead guitarist for Kiss, has undoubtedly made up for lost time in the music industry since 2009. During that time, he has recorded six solo albums and toured frequently, in contrast to his former band’s two albums from the same period. It must be acknowledged, however, that the original Spaceman did not always compose music at such a rapid pace.
Frehley acknowledged in an interview with Goldmine that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, his former Kiss colleagues, were more diligent songwriters. Furthermore, he mentioned the “quality over quantity” theory.
“Paul and Gene have a certain work ethic that I don’t have,” Frehley stated. For instance, when Gene lived in his penthouse in Manhattan, he told me that he would write a song every day by going into his closet, where he had a small amplifier and a recorder. ‘Why do you force yourself to write a song every day?’ I would ask. ‘That’s just my work ethic,’ he says. I said, “Gene, I can’t work that way.” Only when I am motivated can I write a song.
Additionally, Frehley noted that Simmons’ compositions weren’t all keepers. If you were brave enough to rummage inside the Demon’s extravagant “Gene Simmons Vault” box set, you would find proof of this.
“I’ll go three weeks without writing a song,” Frehley said. The next weekend, I would get inspired by something and write two or three songs in a single weekend. We probably used maybe six or seven of the 365 tunes that Gene wrote throughout his year-long residence there.”
On February 23, 2024, Frehley’s most recent solo album, 10,000 Volts, was made available. It’s his tenth studio album as a solo artist.