Kiss paid tribute to Ace Frehley before the band’s first show since the death of their former guitarist in October.
Speaking before the band’s first KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas on Friday, Paul Stanley addressed the crowd about the late Spaceman.
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“Obviously, before we get going — and we’re going to have an awesome time — we just wanted to take a moment to think about about somebody who was at the foundation of this band. And we’re talking about Ace,” Stanley said.
“We certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about. Why don’t we take a moment, little quiet, and think about him looking down on us – from [the planet] Jendell, probably – and let’s have a moment for Ace.”
Following a moment of silence, the crowd outside the Virgin Hotels broke into a chant of “Ace! Ace! Ace!” while Stanley encouraged them to hold plastic candles in the air to honor the guitarist.
Frehley died Oct. 16 at the age of 74 from injuries he sustained in a fall. “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy.” Simmons said in a statement at the time. “I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
Although Kiss’ touring reign ended with a farewell show at Madison Square Garden, the band’s final lineup — Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, guitarist Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singer — announced plans to reunite without all the makeup and theatrics for the KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas this November.
“Here we are. No ship,” Stanley told the crowd following his Frehley tribute Friday. “Next year, what do you say we do this on a cruise again?” Kiss then opened the gig with “Comin’ Home,” co-written by Stanley and Frehley.
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