Ace Frehley Talks Solo on Kiss’ “Shock Me” & Talks EVH, Gear + More! | Shred with Shifty

Ace Frehley is the reason Chris Shiflett picked up a guitar in the first place, so it’s only natural that Shifty invites his original tone teacher onto the pod to recap one his iconic solos. Frehley, saddled with a classic black-and-cream triple-humbucker Les Paul, shares that “Shock Me” was the first KISS track on which he took lead vocal duty. The first time he sang it live, he remembers, was in front of 18,000 screaming fans at Madison Square Garden. As Frehley explains, that was quite a step up from how he recorded the vocals in the studio for Love Gun: lying flat on the floor on his back, racked with stage fright.
Frehley recalls that he ripped most of his solos through a dimed Marshall stack, and always on the bridge pickup. Turns out, he never went for pedals or boards because he’d trip over them onstage. “Wearing those boots?” he snorts. “Forget about it. It’s like a minefield!” His signature sauce, he says, is in the way he picks the strings: He holds his picks loose, but plucks in such a way that his thumb often hits the string at the same time, producing a sound just shy of a pinched squeal, but more spunky than a regular strike.
Frehley drops tons of golden bits of KISS history: the engineering behind his famous “smoke bomb” effect, the time he woke up in Paris with his eyes swollen shut from makeup, how he accidentally roadied for Hendrix, the shared genealogy between his technique and Eddie Van Halen’s, and which KISS member smelled the worst after shows.
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Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.

[@RetropPM]

People want to hate on Ace these days (he's lucky just to be alive and still playing) but he was one of the greats back in the day and few could touch him. Ace inspired more people to pick up the guitar than just about anyone else, myself included. Thanks for this!

[@SHOUTband]

love ace! he might have some kind of health related thing causing him to forget how to play some of his stuff or then it's just the drugs he has taken all those years catching up to him.

[@JokersWild70]

Few could touch a guy who plays nothing but pentatonic scales? Are you kidding me? 😂

[@GoldTop57]

Ace is a solid player of basic rock guitar. He just happened to be part of a band that was a trendsetter. Musically there was nothing amazing about what they were doing. They’re clearly influential, but virtually everyone they influenced are more gifted than they are when it comes to musicianship. Ace had some timeless riffs, but just about anyone who’s been playing guitar for more than a couple years can play anything he’s done.

[@SharpCinema]

He's very cool - and creative. I think you put it well. Lucky to be alive absolutely.

[@WilliamBodenhagen]

C'mon, was NOT one of the greats back in the day. Serviceable, yes, great, no.

[@paulya1269]

Ace was my first guitar hero at age 12. I’m 59 now and still love the Spaceman!

[@MusicMotivator]

Exactly same here!

[@johnlheneghan1630]

Me too

[@billykayser678]

I remember when I was 12 or 13 I had a Ace Frehley T-shirt with just his picture and He was always my hero and I have a DiMarzio pickup in my Les Paul just like his. I am 57 now.

[@julianschulz1620]

ACE has lived & rocked HARD, and here he is, still alive & well. That, in itself, is a miracle. The guy has nothing left to prove, because he paved the way for us back in the glorious 70's. A total legend.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

No matter what, Ace spawned a generation of guitarists. Tasty solos which always served the song. We all age and aren't what we were in our prime, but the man was a huge influence and definitely lived the rock-n-roll lifestyle!

[@bdwitt66]

You can always tell an Ace fan by how much their face lights up watching Ace play the Shock Me solo. Chris had the same excitement level Matt Sweeney had when he interviewed Ace.

[@JTB--]

ACE is a True Original. A Legend

[@RokDAWG1]

Ace was definitely the reason why I started playing! Ace has always had a slopped style but I don’t care. It’s real and he has a vibe that works.

[@baronvongrimm4780]

You must suck if that guy influenced you.

[@davidGerT]

Chris you did a great job. You honored one of your guitar hero’s with a ton of respect. Obviously you are on a different level but you got there by initially listing to people like Ace. He is a gem and you paid respect to that!

[@JokersWild70]

Bootlicker 😅

[@jboyle679]

One of my biggest influences - Ace Frehley was an absolut legend, bought so many Gibsons from the 70s just because of him. Love the questions you ask Chris! Great video! Thanks for this

[@chriscromelin413]

This one is right up there with the Alex Lifeson episode for me!! How can you not love Ace?! He's a no bullshit kinda guy and it comes through in his playing! He's never been worried about being the fastest or flashiest guitarist. He just plays whatever feels right for the song and puts his stamp on it!

[@burroughs334]

Those two really did it for me, too. Iconic players. Kind. Hilarious, too.

[@stephenlandry9343]

Are you kidding he's a all bullshit kinda guy. He admitted he doesn't remember 3/4 of his life. He's surrounded by yes men,he's broke again for the 100th time. And sober? Now there's some bullshit. If he went clean it would kill him. He was great in the 70s now he's just a washed up lush but I bet you would pay to see that train wreck.

[@poppiethestable1090]

??????????????? He's all B.S

[@poppiethestable1090]

​@@stephenlandry9343....FACTS

[@stephenlandry9343]

@@poppiethestable1090 yep from 86 to now all bulshit. Hell kiss has always been full of shit liars. Especially paul.

[@philheaton6826]

Com’n guys - Give Ace a break. If I can make ANY noise at his age and with the mind-altering abuse Ace has lived through I’d die happy. Thx Shifty for being respectful and treating Ace the way you did.

[@denmar355]

Ace is an unpretentious open honest old dude that still likes the same sounds he was making in the 70’s. Many many rock guitarists stand on his shoulders for licks. He’s not a clean technical player, but a lick master and showman. Happy that he’s sober and has survived the addictions. I wish him the best.

[@19c1071]

People forget how good Ace was back in the day , he got me into playing guitar , the sound and the absolute magic those guys had ,drew me in hook line and sinker !

[@technoretarded8029]

It's called witchcraft lol

[@chrismeier8955]

First album KISS alive 2. Still have it. First 30 seconds of this interview, why I need to remain sober. Thank you ACE.

[@pedraw]

Niice, Ace is undoubtedly the reason i finally picked up a guitar. I saw KISS in Detroit at Olympia Stadium the end of January 1978. I was barely 15 and that was an eye opening experience. I also saw Frehleys Comet the day after my wife and I were married on December 6th 1987 in Saginaw MI at Wendler arena, they opened for Aerosmith. Keep rockin' Ace Frehley!

[@EmWarEl]

To the haters, let's get something straight: Ace Frehley has nothing to prove to anyone. The number of arena shows this man has played to screaming fans for decades, the fact that he is still releasing original music and performing it in his seventies, the amount of influence he has had on young guitar players for decades, the distinct sound he brought to Kiss songs with his solos, the effortless authenticity he displayed with his solo album (including a hit that is still played at New York sporting events today), the fact that he designed one of the most iconic and most merchandised band logos ever created with a magic marker and a sheet of graph paper (look at his first take - despite what Paul Stanley would like to suggest, all of the essential characteristics of the current logo are right there), designed one of the most recognized character faces in the world with his makeup, one that is being propelled into the future in the form of a state of the art digital "avatar" show by a band that apparently can't thrive without it, AND DID ALL OF THIS WHILE HE WAS DRUNK... I think he can just do what he wants now. If you have any commensurate achievements, feel free to weigh in on Ace Frehley.

[@DM-sy4hg]

he seems like an awesome guy but his guitar playing is...not good. When he says: "When you use your finger and pick at the same time you get harmonics" then produces a bunch of horrible noise, but no harmonics...lol.

[@fromalongtimeago]

Maybe he should start using again

[@JokersWild70]

I think he has plenty to.prove to the US Government to the tune of two hundred thousand dollars and some change 😂

[@JokersWild70]

​@@fromalongtimeagoI'd say maybe he should just stay backstage and let his band play the gigs 😅

[@JayRee1993]

He's still putting out music that's way better than decent.

[@coolblues14]

Love it! Best Ace interview ever-thanks Chris for giving Ace the love and respect he deserves.

[@stepitupandgo67]

This is hitting home!! Ace was definitely my first guitar hero!! I loved Kiss more than life itself back in the 70s

[@terrymccombs2756]

Saw Ace in 1976 Birmingham, ALABAMA. It was magical for a kid like me. Made me want to play guitar, and I still do until this day!!!!

[@jimwoodard64]

I love these raw, uncut, imperfect videos. Ace was one of the reasons I had to have a Les Paul as a kid in 1980. Ace, Mick Jones (Foreigner), Gary Ritchrath (REO Speedwagon), Joe Walsh (during his Eagles days), and so many great players who wielded that behemoth on stage. Still playing them to this day!

[@williamsherman1089]

One of the best Ace interviews I've seen

[@jameskrieger2855]

All I will say here after seeing this (and the Sambora episode which was removed altogether) Chris is beyond professional and beyond respectful consistently cheering and putting his guests in the best possible light possible when things are going sideways…

[@danriley5848]

Ace is a legend and he was definitely my first influence who inspired me to play guitar, great interview.

[@ardenstrat]

my reason I play guitar. good to see him healthy and still playing

[@BebilBamsey27]

I saw Ace live recently, and he might not be what he used to, be he still rocked, and his band was tight!

[@johnhitzroth9082]

If you’ve never been shocked between a mic and your guitar, you have some work to do. It is, after all, a rock and roll right of passage. Ace was a massive influence on so many of us. Cheers, Ace! And thanks Shifty!

[@TribalGuitars]

Ace played that whole show where he was electrocuted by the stairs railing without any feeling in that hand.

[@Rico__B]

Ace was doing Les Paul weight relief (smoke bomb carving) before it was cool. Great interview Chris! Thanks

[@easyriderm13]

Hey Chris! Sandy, here in TEXAS. Man, I want to tell you, you have a fantastic show! I love your format, guest, and the whole idea. You know, I was born in 65, and I was always surrounded by music, all the way back to the 60's. I'm a guitar player. My mother bought my first electric in 70 from a cousin of mine who had a psychedelic rock band at the time. I had an acoustic I messed with at the time. After my parents split in 77, I was allowed to pull the electric out of my Dads former closet and start to learn. I love all things Ace, as you. The first Kiss album heard start to finish was the first. Not the first songs, but LP. Paul Lynn had a Halloween special. I think that was the first time I saw them going through their gig. I always watched the Midnight Special and Don Kirschners , from much earlier, but I missed Kiss on The Midnight Special. You know, if someone puts the 1st Kiss LP in context, in 73-74. Aces guitar was unique. His choices of notes, and his flow of runs and licks was crazy. 100,000 years, She, Black Diamond. Thanks very much for having Ace on. He is a great!!!

[@Riffs79]

ACE not only inspired a lot of guitar players but he also has a great sense of humor!

[@poppiethestable1090]

He's also bitter

[@wewin03]

If you’re a certain age. Shifty and I are in the same range. 45-60 Ace is a hero to most of us.

[@ULOVEKYLE]

50-60

[@frankperricone2065]

You nailed it, I'm 60 been a fan since I'm 12. First saw Kiss live at 13.

[@SquierBulletBass-sj5bg]

I got to be a one time roadie for Ace and Peter in 1995 at California’s in Windsor. It was surreal. I was in the sound booth with the sound guy and Ace(on a wireless)during Strange Ways soundcheck. I was face to face with Ace in a tiny box watching him play the Strange Ways solo. 🤘😃

[@H-TownAce]

Kick ass 🤘

[@michaelmills7543]

That's why we love Ace. Not only has he provided my life with his ass kicking guitar play but he's hilarious 😂. Ace the luthier. Takes a drill and a chisel to a vintage les Paul. 😂

[@scottyvernon8471]

Thanks Chris for bringing Ace on the show!! Love the WASP sign!! 🤠

[@bobgeno3346]

Ace is a legend and a massive influence! Great interview, Shiflett. Keep 'em coming.. Rock on! 🤘

[@gregmiller143]

I WAS 9 YEARS OLD IN 1977 AND WALKED INTO A GIBSON'S STORE IN VIDALIA, GEORGIA AND I SAW KISS ALIVE 2 👉 😲. I'M LIKE WHO ARE THESE GUYS? 🤔 MY MOM BOUGHT ME THE ALBUM, AND NOW I'M 55 YEARS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN A HUGE KISS AND ACE FREHLEY FAN ALL OF MY LIFE. ACE WILL ALWAYS BE MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE GUITARIST 🎸🎸🎸 🔥🔥🔥🔥😲😲😲😲😲😲🙋🏻‍♂️

[@NoCoverCharge]

I’ve been playing guitar for 30 years because of Ace even wrote a song about it ! Shock Me is one of may all time favorites! Kiss alive and alive 2 so freaking good

[@sega62s]

Ace was the first guitarist I would love to listen, he had some great chops, always inspired solos that fits the song, lots of contrast and energy. Thanks for the interview, it’s been 50 years he made those albums, It’s hard to remember anything from the past.Kiss on the road back with Rush must have been the best times 🙏🏼🎼🙏🏼

[@Metal_Horror]

Er, yeah, but he got back in Kiss and toured with them all through the 90s and up to the 2000s.

[@triplej8666]

96-2000, not "all" through the 90s@@Metal_Horror

[@bethmacisaac1300]

You know Chris was cursing the lag when Ace asked him to play rhythm 😄 fun episode!

[@poppiethestable1090]

I think he made that up...If you know what I mean

[@bethmacisaac1300]

@@poppiethestable1090 eh I don’t think so, Chris did a premiere chat about this episode when it came out, he and his producers seemed genuinely thrilled about this whole episode.

[@SharpCinema]

I love this kind of interview - Ace is the real deal. He was crutial to what made KISS the thing. One of the last rock stars still kicking.

[@Rigosson]

Great Show, Chris!🤘👍 Ace Frehley is my Rock-God!🤘🤘I can`t wait to hear his new album "10000 Volts"! It comes out end of this month. Keep on rocking and greetings from Germany!🤟👍🎸

[@I-Libertine]

Yes! Originals was my first exposure to Kiss, too. Changed my life forever.

[@evileyes4070]

The most influential guitar player who is still alive. This Ace is like a living Hendrix. Ace couldn't remember what album Shock Me was on. This is Ace Frehley humour. Ace would never forget Shock Me on Love Gun .

[@TribalGuitars]

I'm almost 20 years younger than Ace and I can't remember what song on on what albums sometimes. 😆

[@JokersWild70]

Ummmmmmmm...yes he would. He thinks Eddie Kramer produced "Strange Ways" 😂

[@Metal_Horror]

If you say so...

[@TimothyWarner-q7s]

Man I would love to just have a chance to sit an talk to Ace for hours

[@twitterjesus]

lmao, Ace is just classic and this interview is nothing short of a viral moment in time i was lucky enough to come across. Thanks Chris, greetings from San Diego.

[@victorvalverde9478]

yes, one of my all time favorite Idols ACE baby!!!!!

[@samright4661]

100,000 years is a masterclass in rock guitar playing

[@thebadhumours]

Ace Frehley's man cave is the ultimate man cave

[@patton303]

This went exactly how I thought a guitar hang with Ace Frehley would go. And I’m grateful for it.

[@Jesus_Advocate41]

Ace has always been my favorite. The #1 reason I picked up guitar

[@renula]

Ace was my first guitar hero.

[@shearn666]

Hearing the solo from Firehouse was worth the price of admission for me. The old Ace is still in there... 🤣🤣🤣

[@daveyguitarman9287]

“ the platonic scale” lol 😂 Great interview Chris

[@TonyStir]

Kiss was my gateway band

[@evanmiller2579]

Super enjoyable interview. I am more of a casual Kiss fan but really loved the Ace solo album with "New York Groove". Great job Chris keeping this one moving and bringing out some great Ace Frehley stories. Well done!!

[@RavenMadd9]

One of the best interviews I have seen of him ......thanks Chris .....no bs interview

[@pglavalle]

I just purchased Dynasty in Caldor when this guy walks buy and says "That's a great album" When I went to pay for it, the sales clerk said "He was just in here" .... I ran outside screaming "Paul, Paul Frehley - Will you sign this album?" BTW, the house in Wilton IS INCREDIBLE! A few years later, we met again at a Halloween party - some friends and I are jamming when he comes in dressed as _The Spaceman_ asks quietly if he can join ... then starts in with Rock and Roll All Nite - we all look at one another and question whether it was really him or not ... What a Party that was that Nite!

[@JayRee1993]

Newer fan, but I love Ace. Awesome interview.

[@vincentjunio777]

I'm just happy that Ace is still with us and not another dead guitar hero

[@andrewpappas9311]

I remember learning the solo to Shock Me for my guitar lesson back in 2021 during my second year of college, definitely a fun one to learn and it’s one of (if not) Ace’s best solos for a reason. Dude is just ripping it and it’s fucking awesome, still one of my favourite KISS songs

[@H-TownAce]

Awesome interview. Ace is the reason I picked up a guitar! My Uncle had a room covered in KISS and Judas Priest posters, and I dug through his record collection, found his electric guitar in his closet, and learned to play by picking along to Ace’s ‘78 solo album. His new album kicks ass too! Love that he’s still making music 🤘

[@CheetoPhingers]

That solo from 100,000 years is pretty special too! Thanks for the content! Love this series!

[@racegascustoms]

Out of the 1000s of interviews I've listened to Ace is the number one player cited as the reason they started playing guitar. Even more so than the Beatles on ed Sullivan. So who cares if he isn't a perfect player anymore he is still the king of rock lead guitar.

[@thefonzkiss]

That’s just absurd.

[@petera.michaelsen4657]

He was never perfect to begin with but he had the balls to rock and he hasn't lost it at all.

[@aaronjohnson3463]

Not really

[@gregwong1899]

Ace is so damm Cool!! And down to earth!!! What a cool rock bro!! It so Awesome to listen to him talk about his gear!!!

[@dougtull4594]

Ace's phrasing, riffs, and tone are instantly recognizable. He doesn't have a large bag of tricks, but the ones he has are priceless.

[@Steven-v7o]

That's a nice way of putting it 😂

[@racook7534]

Even when Ace is bad, Ace is good! You can't help but love Ace!

[@kinetickid100]

Great interview Chris, i love Ace a lot. Very humble

[@mkii1964]

My first guitar hero, way back in the 70’s!!!

[@OakLawnSpeedShop]

Ace is a legend.

[@tjnugent62]

Shifty, you are the best for bringing us all this sonic goodness! Thanks bro!

[@AzaleaMillet]

What a great interview!! Thank you! Please get Ace to play a Foo Fighters show in Los Angeles this summer!! My two favorite guitarists on stage... Ace and Shifty!

[@poppiethestable1090]

You can't see...ACE CAN'T PLAY

[@davidyoung8875]

I was 12 when Kiss alive came out. I Loved that record, but i was a drummer, so Peter's drum solo on that record was all i would listen to. I'm a guitar player now 33 years, still play the drums but it's an electronic kit. Ace is Awesome! Good Score. That Bronx accent is soo strong.

[@aaronzuchowski8749]

Ace is so awesome. Some of his playing might be rough but that laugh of his , the snarly voice, the slight arrogance , and just his entire demeanor is so damn fun and funny .

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

One of the great solos from the 70s. Great player.

[@kojam1]

Had just moved from Jamaica to Canada (was 6 yrs old). Saw snow for the 1st time and then saw KISS for the 1st time while watching some show. ACE BLEW MY MIND!!! I stood up, mesmerized, pointed at the Spaceman's smoking during a solo, and said to my mom, "I want to do that!" LOL

[@cherokeemetal]

Ace is da man!! Love the new stuff!

[@renatamalvern670]

Thankyou so much for this interview, luved it. Luv seeing Ace, and all you people going on about what he looks like, just remember, are you going to look the way you did, when you're your later year's. Personally considering everything he's done and been through, and he's still here, and still playing, hey, im bloody proud of him. Thanks again for this interview, from Melbourne Australia

[@Sheegog1972]

Kiss Double Platinum was the first album I ever owned. I was 8 years old and it was a Christmas present from my parents. It changed my life. I was determined to play guitar because of Ace. As I advanced in age and in skill I discovered Hendrix, Gibbons, Van Halen, Larry Carlton, etc. I get that the music of Kiss is not intricate or super challenging but that wasn’t who they were trying to be. I’ll never say negative things about Kiss or Ace because their role in rock music history was so important. Are they the Beatles? We all know the answer. Was it fun as hell? No question.

[@jimmyhenry7645]

I saw KISS when Ace got shocked in Lakeland Florida.

[@divineinsider0068]

I love Ace.

[@mpesta]

Great job Chris! Ace is why I play as well and it was great to see this long form interview. Well done!

[@96lscpower18]

Ace Frehley was an excellent guitarist. I would say his peak was around the trouble walking into the mid ,90’s. Just an excellent showman, concerts were full of energy, and great musicianship.

[@jefftucker201]

Fantastic Interview, Ace is a legend and so are you Shifty!

[@RobBenjaminMusic]

Shifty rules, Ace rules. Ack!

[@petelamb9965]

Ace is keeping the music alive for the kiss army 😊

[@AudiophileTubes]

ACE is a living legend, and is the reason millions of kids and teens picked up an electric guitar 'back in the day'! He played from the heart, and his hard rock style spawned some memorable riffs and lead work!

[@guitarstorms]

A legend, long may he live......great interview bro...

[@budaschbrenner7354]

In 1975 I picked up my first guitar and I was amazed with Ace.. And I have been playing professionally since 1987,,,

[@CamBaldeon]

Ace = Legend

[@SpaceAce2022]

One of the best interviews with Ace on this early year 10,000 Volts release interview rounds! I loved the gear talk and influences discussed!

[@TimTrutone]

What a treat! How can there ever be a better episode than this one?! And yeah the new album sounds great. Production wise it kind of reminds me of the last Ozzy record Patient Number 9 which I also really like.

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Ace solo's are so much much to play. I love playing this song. Also Strange Ways and Parasite. Even the Kissco music. Just wish the I Was Made For Lov'n You solo was longer.

[@lynyrddeville]

One of the things Ace does still have is command of his unique wide vibrato, It;s the thing that made Ace sound like Ace,

[@magnusvanttinen7855]

Thank for sharing this video. So Cool! Ace is mr Rock n Roll and kicks ass harder than ever! Ace forever!

[@applehead252]

Best one yet! IMO

[@CJLaw945]

Ace sounds like me when i leave the pub at 1am with the lads after a heavy night and we go back to mine for a few night caps and i say "let me show you this solo".....

[@tippytailmckitty2658]

I've seen Ace solo 4 times since 2009, he is straight up an awesome rock and roll guitarist. Watching Ace and his band nail Snowblind live was awesome.

[@joukovaananen5951]

Great episode!!

[@frankperricone2065]

Ace had always been my favorite from Kiss. I think he says what he feels. First saw Kiss in 1976 at Nassau Colisium in N.Y. the Destroyer tour. He might not play like he used to, but he still plays better then most.

[@craigpetterson3962]

Ace is why I picked up guitar! Chris I'll be seeing you at the gig in Glasgow! 🤟🏻

[@billdehey1300]

Thanks Ace . You are the best!!!!!