...Mr. Remus 90 and something else

Ace Frehley

Birth Date: 4/27/51
Birth Place: New York
Marital Status: Married
Real Name: Paul Frehley
Years in the band: 1973-82, 1996-current
Instruments: Guitar
Other bands: The Exterminators, Four Roses, Molimo, The Muff Divers, Frehley`s Comet, Ace Frehley



The Story

Born Paul Frehley on April 27th, 1951 in Bronx, NY. Paul grew up with his older brother and sister listening to folk music. Young Paul was more interested in mechanical things, technology, and stories of UFO`s and aliens from other worlds than folk music, but his brother`s acoustic guitar held enough fascination for him to pick it up on occasion and try strumming chords. However, it was a friend`s electric guitar and amplifier and the sounds they made that pushed Paul into asking his brother for a few lessons. For his fourteenth birthday, Paul`s father bought him a Japanese electric guitar, and Paul saved his money to buy himself an amplifier and began to get serious. Paul was learning the songs that made his heroes famous- Clapton, Townshend, Page, Hendrix and Beck were his teachers.

There was very little outside music that interested Paul, but he enjoyed hanging with his friends in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, that would lead him into some trouble. Vandalism and violence were everyday things for the guys, and Paul would soon turn to music for salvation. He was in many bands over the years-Four Roses, Exterminator, Honey and King Kong.

It was around this time that Paul received his nickname. Apparently Paul had a knack for getting his friends dates on short notice and the drummer from King Kong thanked him by giving him the name "Ace".

Ace reportedly recorded an album with a band called Millemo for RCA Records. The finished product was shelved and has never been heard. Depressed, yet still determined to make a living out of playing the guitar, Ace answered an ad he ran across in The Village Voice-"Lead Guitarist Wanted with Flash and Ability. Album Out Shortly. No Time-Wasters Please." Ace went in for his audition, slightly buzzed to fight off nerves, wearing one red shoe and one orange shoe. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss watched in amazement as Ace interrupted their friend Bob Kulick`s audition in mid-song. Strangely, and despite his behavior, the band knew that they had found their guitarist.