Origins of Ace Frehley

Ex-Kiss guitarist reunites with Paul Stanley on new album, leaks version of Cream's "White Room"
By Peter Lindblad

Ace Frehley - Origins Vol. 1 2016

Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley have KISS'd and made up, or so it seems. Not that there ever was much of a feud, at least according to Frehley.

"We've always been friends," said Frehley, in talking to Rolling Stone magazine about recording with Stanley again, as they did on Frehley's upcoming album of cover songs Origins Vol. 1, slated for an April 15 release. "The press seems to amplify negativity. I guess it makes good copy."

Some, if not all, of the rancor that sullied the band's 2014 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame must have subsided somewhat, as the two joined forces to remake Free's hit "Fire and Water," marking the first time they've collaborated since the KISS 1998 reunion album Psycho Circus. Frehley has announced a release date and track listing for Origins Vol. 1, featuring re-imagined versions of 12 classic songs that influenced the legendary former KISS guitarist. It's the follow-up to 2014's Space Invader, which at the time had been his first album in five years. The record debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, making it the highest charting KISS-related solo project ever, propelling Frehley back to the Top 10, a place he hadn't visited since Psycho Circus.

Today, Rolling Stone magazine debuted Frehley's new version of Cream's "White Room," which can be heard here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ace-frehley-announces-new-lp-white-room-cover-paul-stanley-reunion-20160210. Faithful to the original, Frehley's take on "White Room" flashes an orgy of wah-wah guitar effects behind strong, clearly articulated vocals and powerful drumming. Capturing the psychedelic whirl of the original, Frehley brings the song out of its late-'60s haze and reintroduces it to a more contemporary audience, enhancing its melodic character.

Stanley is just one of the big-name guests appearing on Origins Vol. 1. Slash and Frehley trade leads on Thin Lizzy's classic "Emerald," while Lita Ford sings and playing lead on The Troggs' staple "Wild Thing," and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 plays guitar alongside Ace as he sings his classic KISS composition "Parasite" for the very first time. The two also give their rendering of Jimi Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic," with Frehley finally doing his KISS Alive I mainstay "Cold Gin" with Pearl Jam's Mike McCready also on guitar as Ace as sings. 

"White Room" is also an iTunes instant gratification track, meaning fans who pre order the LP on iTunes will receive the Cream cover song instantly. Pre-orders for physical versions can be made here:  http://www.amazon.com/Origins-Vol-1-Ace-Frehley/dp/B01BMS3MS0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455188080&sr=8-1&keywords=ace+frehley+origins+vol.+1. Go here for digital versions: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/origins-vol.-1/id1083108066

The track listing for Origins Vol. 1 can be found below:

1. White Room (Cream)

2. Street Fighting Man (Rolling Stones)

3. Spanish Castle Magic (Jimi Hendrix) *John 5

4. Fire and Water (Free) *Paul Stanley

5. Emerald (Thin Lizzy) *Slash

6. Bring It On Home (Led Zeppelin)

7. Wild Thing (The Troggs) *Lita Ford

8. Parasite *John 5 (KISS)

9. Magic Carpet Ride (Steppenwolf) 

10. Cold Gin *Mike McCready (KISS)

11. Till The End Of The Day (Kinks)

12. Rock and Roll Hell (KISS)

Ace and crew will be active on the road in 2016. Three weeks worth of tour dates in the U.S. have been announced, including two nights at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City. His band features Richie Scarlet (rhythm guitar and vocals), Chris Wyse (The Cult) on bass and vocals, and Scott Coogan (Nikki Sixx's Brides of Destruction) on drums.

Tour dates are below:

2/26 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar

2/27 - San Antonio, TX - Fitzgerald's

2/28 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory 

3/2 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre

3/4 - San Miguel, CA - The Ranch

3/5 - Beverly Hills, CA - Saban Theatre

3/6 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl - Las Vegas

4/1 - Ponte Vedra, FL - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

4/2 - Clearwater, FL - Capitol Theatre

4/3 - Sunrise, FL - Markham Park - Rockfest 80's

4/5 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse

4/7 - Danville, VA - Carrington Pavilion

4/9 - New Hope, PA - Havana New Hope

4/11 - New York, NY - BB King's Blues Club

4/12 - New York, NY - BB King's Blues Club

4/13 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount

4/15 - Wilkes Barre, PA - The F.M. Kirby Center

4/16 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance