In a recent interview, legendary guitarist Ace Frehley opened up about his distinctive guitar technique and expressed his belief that KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer cannot replicate it. When questioned by interviewer Daly about his playing style and whether it was instinctive, Frehley confidently stated, “It is. I’ve never had a guitar lesson. I was born with a certain technique that many people, namely Tommy Thayer, can’t duplicate. And with Tommy, yeah… that’s over now. It’s back to the breadline for him!”
Frehley’s comments shed light on the ongoing dynamic within KISS, particularly since Thayer took over as the lead guitarist in 2002, succeeding Frehley’s departure from the band.
Radio host Brown weighed in on Frehley’s guitar prowess, stating, “A lot of shots are fired at Ace, but he’s mostly taken the humble route. He’s one of the greats like Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, and Joe Perry. Like those guys, magic happens when you put a guitar in his hands and he plays through that rig. But what’s cool is Ace is so open to new gear, technology, and pedals, even if he doesn’t use them that much. No matter what he uses, it always sounds like Ace Frehley.”
Frehley, a key member of KISS from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1996 to 2002, addressed the challenges of staying humble amidst criticisms from KISS mainstays Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. He emphasized his preference for letting the music speak for itself, stating, “I’ve always been the kind of guy to let the music do the talking, you know? The less I say… I think that sometimes, that’s the best route to go. Paul and Gene always like to elaborate and put people down. Not only me – if you listen and read back to old interviews through the years, they’re constantly putting other musicians down too. Maybe it makes them feel better, or perhaps it’s because they’re just insecure. I don’t know the reason.”
Frehley’s comments add a layer to the ongoing dynamics and occasional tensions within the iconic rock band KISS, highlighting the individuality he brings to the table as a guitarist.
