No Regrets: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir

Ace Frehley · Joe Layden · John Ostrosky

Nov 2011 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

THE MUSIC, THE MAKEUP, THE MADNESS, AND MORE. . . . In December of 1972, a pair of musicians placed an advertisement in the Village Voice: “GUITARIST WANTED WITH FLASH AND ABILITY.” Ace Frehley figured he had both, so he answered the ad. The rest is rock ’n’ roll history.

He was just a boy from the Bronx with stars in his eyes. But when he picked up his guitar and painted stars on his face, Ace Frehley transformed into “The Spaceman”—and helped turn KISS into one of the top-selling bands in the world. Now, for the first time, the beloved rock icon reveals his side of the story with no-holds-barred honesty . . . and no regrets.

For KISS fans, Ace offers a rare behind-the-makeup look at the band’s legendary origins, including the lightning-bolt logo he designed and the outfits his mother sewed. He talks about the unspoken division within the band—he and Peter Criss versus Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons—because the other two didn’t “party every day.” Ace also reveals the inside story behind his turbulent breakup with KISS, their triumphant reunion a decade later, and his smash solo career. Along the way, he shares wild stories about dancing at Studio 54 with “The Bionic Woman,” working as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, and bar-flying all night with John Belushi. In the end, he comes to terms with his highly publicized descent into alcohol, drugs, and self-destruction—ultimately managing to conquer his demons and come out on top.

This is Ace Frehley.

No makeup.

No apologies.

No regrets.

Ratings and reviews

Interesting read despite the sometimes disjointed structure, but still a better read than Steven Tyler's book I M O...I've read all four of the KISS bios...Gene's the most "matter of fact", Paul's the most "intelligent" Peter's the most "tragic", and Ace's the most "fun", I think. Peter and Ace were the addicts in the band, but I get the impression that the actual music mattered most to them over the other two, more than the KISS "brand". Doesn't surprise me.

A very personal edit from Ace! Only thing that kept me from rating this with more stars is the fact that at times, Ace seems self indulgent with some of his stories. But, keep in mind, this is Ace writing about Ace!! I would recommend to any rock and roll fan. Just keep in mind, this book is about Ace and not KISS.

ace freely is a washed up never bum tramp bimbo retch scoundrel troll craphead doodyball dinglebery and lower than a dog and a slave to sin and spiritually poor and bankrupt and lower than a dog and a slave to sin and not worth the powder to blow his brains out.

About the author

Ace Frehley is a founding member and former lead guitarist for the legendary rock band KISS, which has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and is ranked among the top-selling rock bands of all time.