The Detroit Riverfront rocked with the sounds of legendary former KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley who played the third installment of the "Rockin' on the Riverfront" concert series on Friday, July 27. The threat of rain hung heavy in the air, but stayed away once The Spaceman took the stage and delighted fans of all ages with his extended set of his solo material and KISS classics.
We'd attended his concert last year at the Stars & Stripes Festival and Space Ace delivered once again and clearly looked as if he was having a blast along with his fans, as no one was seated for this performance! He took the stage to his instrumental track, "Fractured Mirror," from his first eponymous solo album released in 1978. He proceeded to play his hits including "Snowblind," his cover of the the song "New York Groove," and "Rock Soldiers," from his second 1987 solo release, "Frehley's Comet." Throughout the set he played his songs from the early KISS days including "Parasite," "Rocket Ride," "Cold Gin," "Flaming Youth," and wielded his smoking Les Paul during his signature song, "Shock Me."
I couldn't help noticing the different generations of fans in attendance, all reliving their own flaming youth and bringing with them the next generation of Ace fans to enjoy the concert.
He ended the show with a rousing rendition of "Shout it Out Loud" that had the crowd singing along and left them smiling. With a strong supporting band of musicians behind him – that includes new drummer Matt Starr formerly of the bands Bang Tango and Beautiful Creatures - Ace took the Detroit Rock City audience on a rocket ride that transported them out of this world for one night.
Ace, still rocking into his sixth decade, released an autobiography, "No Regrets," late last year which tells his version of KISS-tory and his long career in rock n' roll. It's available from Amazon.com
.Check out the remaining three FREE concerts of the Rockin' on the Riverfront series.
Friday, Aug. 3: Lou Gramm - The former frontman of the classic rock band Foreigner and accomplished solo artist will sing his many hits that were staples of the FM radio airwaves in the '70s and '80s.
Friday, Aug. 10: The Sweet with The Tubes – '70s glam rock veterans The Sweet meet punk-turned-pop stalwarts, The Tubes.
Friday, Aug. 17: Mark Farner with Marshall Crenshaw - Grand Funk Railroad lead singer/guitarist, Mark Farner brings his '70s hits to the stage. Berkeley, Michigans' own pop pioneer Marshall Crenshaw opens the show.
The series is held on the Riverfront stage behind the Ren Cen. Parking is available on the $5 lot nearby.