Ace Frehley: A REAL “Influencer” and a One of a Kind.

Ace Frehley: A REAL “Influencer” and a one of a kind. By Michael Bruce

The Fab Four. The Big Four that made Kiss is now on this planet down to 3. Ace Frehley: A Guitar Hero/Rock ‘N’ Roll Star has moved on. Hey Internet and social media…I hate to rain on your parade but STOP using the term “influencer”. What you mean to say is: “usually talentless people advertising”. Perhaps creatively at times, but advertising none the less. Influencer? NO! Let me tell you what a real “influencer” is: It’s someone who completely grabs your brain…grabs your heart…grabs your soul…and then says, “Hey, check this out, isn’t this cool?” And you embrace everything and what they stand for. THAT is influence. THAT is an “Influencer”. Ace Frehley IS an “Influencer”. Kiss with Ace grabbed misfits like themselves, like me, around the world, and gave us a home. They gave us a place to learn how to develop confidence, and believe in ourselves. We became the Kiss Army. Kiss isn’t just some band. They are music, they are superheroes, they are vibe, they are self-belief, they are spirit, they are conquering, they are Christmas, they are sonic boom, they are magic, they are the American Dream, they are togetherness, they are family. You don’t have to like their music at all. But you must respect their incredibly positive influence. Take a look around the internet today and social media. The outcry and love for this guitar player/hero from this band who inspired THOUSANDS of people to pick up a guitar, and/or love rock ‘n’ roll is everywhere today! Ace musically was incredible. His solos were songs within songs. Ace’s vibrato, his feel, his attitude, his swagger, his note choices, his melodic sensibility, all defines powerful. Some of the most respected/flashiest guitar players are all saying today what an influence he was on them, or he is the reason they picked up a guitar. Steve Vai, Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, John 5, the list goes on and on. Not to mention endless fans, famous musicians, celebrities, who are all sharing their love for Ace. He had his own demons, but he overcame them. He’s a success story for that too. It’s a sad day. A day I and so many others dreaded. But we can crank Ace on our speakers and celebrate him forever. That’s the beauty of music. It truly brings us TOGETHER! When Kiss is at The Kennedy Center Honors this year being acknowledged for all they’ve done, they will have to leave an empty seat next to Gene, Paul, and Peter so Ace’s spirit can sit next to them. You might crank a Kiss song today in honor of him and that’s great. I highly encourage you to listen as well, to this beautiful song that he wrote for one of his solo albums called, “A Little Below The Angels”. He wrote it about himself. We’ll miss you Spaceman.

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