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When news of Ace Frehley’s death spread this October, it reopened a chapter of rock history that links two generations. Slash — the guitarist who helped define Guns N’ Roses — has revisited his feelings about KISS and Frehley. Their story moves from teenage dismissals to onstage collaborations and mutual respect.
From teenage rejection to a surprising KISS connection
Slash once shrugged off KISS’s theatrical shows. The makeup and spectacle put him off as a young musician in Los Angeles. Yet, rock history almost took a different turn.
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- During the time Ace Frehley left KISS, the band reportedly scouted new guitarists.
- Paul Stanley later said he was told about a young guitarist by someone connected to David Bowie’s circle.
- Slash was too young to be considered then, and he wasn’t yet a fan.
There was also a near-miss with Frehley’s own post-KISS project. Guns N’ Roses were scheduled to open for Frehley’s Comet as they climbed toward fame. The bill never happened, but the anecdote underscores how intertwined their paths might have been.
How a cold view warmed into admiration
Time and distance softened Slash’s initial resistance. After departing Guns N’ Roses in the 1990s, Slash met Ace and began a friendship that lasted decades.
He later worked with Frehley in the studio and shared stages with him several times. In Slash’s words, meeting Ace changed his perspective on KISS’s music and its guitar legacy. Slash called Frehley one of the great rock guitarists of the 1970s and a genuine presence in rock.
Memorable live moments together
- VH1’s Rock Honors, 2006 — a high-profile tribute where Slash joined peers to perform KISS’s “God of Thunder.”
- Multiple guest performances — Slash and Frehley appeared together onstage at various events in the 2000s.
- Studio collaborations — recordings that captured the chemistry between two different rock eras.
Those appearances symbolized mutual respect, moving beyond generational differences toward shared musical celebration.
Artists who credit Frehley’s influence
After Frehley’s passing, many guitarists acknowledged his impact. His style left fingerprints across alternative and hard rock.
- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) pointed to Frehley’s raw tone and phrasing.
- Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) said Frehley helped shape the vocabulary of modern rock guitar.
- John 5 and others noted how Ace’s solos blended melody with a street-smart edge.
Tributes highlighted a throughline from 1970s hard rock into later generations of players who borrowed his moves and attitude.
Guns N’ Roses bandmates honor Frehley
Tributes came from within Slash’s old band as well. Former GNR drummer Matt Sorum shared memories and respect.
Sorum recalled touring intersections and backstage conversations with Frehley. He praised Ace’s straightforward demeanor and voluntary collaborations — like joining Sorum’s Kings of Chaos lineup and appearing on his Behind the Player DVD.
Sorum described Ace as “the real deal,” a player who continued recording and touring well after KISS’s classic lineup changed.
A legacy that outlived the spectacle
Ace Frehley’s story is more than makeup and fireworks. It’s about riffs, tone, and a compact solo voice that inspired players across styles. His death at 74 prompted both personal remembrances and a broader appraisal of his role in rock.
- Decades of solo albums and tours kept his name active in the scene.
- Guest appearances and collaborations bridged the gap between rock eras.
- Young guitarists adopted elements of his phrasing and attitude.
As musicians and fans continue to share stories, the record of Ace’s influence — and the unexpected admiration from figures like Slash — keeps growing.
