Ace Frehley | History of the Band
From KISS to Solo Stardom: How Ace Frehley and Frehley’s Comet Rocked the 80s with Grit, Melodies, and Unforgettable Guitar Work
Ace Frehley, the legendary lead guitarist of KISS, embarked on a solo journey in the 1980s that showcased his talent outside the confines of the iconic band. This era was marked by the formation of Frehley’s Comet, a project that allowed Frehley more creative freedom and, importantly, featured key collaborators who shaped its sound. One of the most significant was Tod Howarth, whose contributions were pivotal in the band’s evolution during the late 1980s.
Formation and Early Years
Ace Frehley’s solo career began after his departure from KISS in 1982, driven by personal issues and creative differences. Although he had experienced solo success during his KISS tenure—most notably with his 1978 solo album featuring the hit “New York Groove”—his official solo venture took shape with Frehley’s Comet in 1984.
The original lineup included bassist John Regan, drummer Anton Fig, and guitarist Richie Scarlet. However, Scarlet left the band before their debut album was recorded, and Regan introduced Frehley to Tod Howarth, a multi-talented musician who played guitar, keyboards, and provided vocals. Howarth’s arrival brought a new dynamic to the band, both musically and in terms of stability. His talents would prove invaluable, especially as Frehley grappled with personal challenges .
Ace Frehley’s solo work retained the hard rock and heavy metal foundations of his KISS days, but Frehley’s Comet offered a more versatile approach. Frehley’s signature guitar tone—characterized by melodic leads and crunchy riffs—remained at the forefront, but with Howarth’s contributions, the band explored melodic rock, pop-metal influences, and even keyboard-driven arrangements. This blend of styles allowed Frehley’s Comet to stand out in a decade dominated by glam metal and arena rock.
Keith P Miller suggested this artist for a future Dig Me Out podcast episode. Each month, our Patrons are presented with a selection of albums suggested by listeners and asked to vote for their favorite.
Howarth’s role was especially prominent on Second Sighting (1988), where his vocals and songwriting provided balance as Frehley dealt with health and substance issues. Songs like “It’s Over Now” and “Time Ain’t Runnin’ Out” reflected Howarth’s melodic sensibilities, helping the band pivot to a more accessible sound .
Discography and Notable 80s Albums
Frehley’s Comet (1987)
Frehley’s Comet, released in 1987, marked Ace Frehley’s triumphant return to the music scene after his post-KISS hiatus. Released on Megaforce Records and produced by Eddie Kramer, the album featured a mix of hard rock anthems and melodic tracks. Howarth’s presence on this record was understated compared to later releases, but his keyboard work and backing vocals helped enhance the band’s sound.
The album’s standout tracks include “Rock Soldiers,” which was an autobiographical reflection on Frehley’s struggles with substance abuse and a near-fatal car crash. The album performed well, reaching No. 43 on the Billboard 200, and set the stage for Frehley’s Comet to become a force in the 80s rock scene .
Second Sighting (1988)
Released in 1988, Second Sighting saw Tod Howarth taking on a much larger role within the band. Due to Frehley’s personal issues, Howarth stepped up as a primary songwriter and vocalist. Tracks like “It’s Over Now” and “Time Ain’t Runnin’ Out” showcased his talent for crafting melodic rock songs, while his guitar and keyboard work provided a polished sheen to the album’s overall sound.
Despite Howarth’s increased influence, Second Sighting received mixed reviews and did not perform as well as its predecessor, peaking at No. 81 on the Billboard 200. Nonetheless, it remains a fan favorite for its blend of melodic and hard rock elements .
Trouble Walkin’ (1989)
Trouble Walkin’ marked a return to a more guitar-driven, hard rock style and featured the reunion of Ace Frehley with Richie Scarlet, who had left prior to the recording of Frehley’s Comet. Howarth’s role was reduced on this album, as Frehley regained more creative control. Despite this, Trouble Walkin’ was considered a stronger, grittier effort and was well-received by fans and critics alike. The album included tracks like “Do Ya” and “Shot Full of Rock,” which highlighted Frehley’s powerful guitar work.
The album also featured guest appearances by original KISS drummer Peter Criss, further tying Frehley’s solo career to his KISS legacy .
Throughout the 1980s, Ace Frehley’s solo work garnered praise for maintaining his guitar virtuosity and rock credibility. Frehley’s Comet was seen as a successful comeback, showcasing Frehley’s ability to stand on his own outside of KISS. Critics admired his guitar work and the band’s energetic live performances, though some felt that Second Sighting suffered from a lack of cohesion due to Frehley’s diminished involvement.
Influence and Legacy
After the release of Trouble Walkin’ in 1989, Ace Frehley continued to be a prominent figure in rock music, though his career took several twists and turns throughout the 1990s and beyond. Frehley’s Comet disbanded after Second Sighting but many of the band members, including Frehley and Tod Howarth, went on to pursue other notable projects.
Ace Frehley’s Solo Career and KISS Reunion
In the 1990s, Ace Frehley’s solo output slowed down, but his legacy as a guitar icon remained strong. The most significant event of the decade came in 1996 when Frehley rejoined KISS for their highly successful reunion tour, which featured the original lineup of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Frehley donning their classic makeup once again. This reunion rekindled interest in KISS, leading to several tours and the release of the album Psycho Circus (1998), on which Frehley contributed guitar work .
However, Frehley’s tenure with KISS after the reunion was short-lived. He officially left the band in 2002 following the Farewell Tour. Frehley returned to his solo career with renewed focus in the late 2000s, releasing Anomaly (2009), which was well-received by both fans and critics. Frehley continued to release solo albums, including Space Invader (2014) and Spaceman (2018), both of which cemented his status as a guitar legend and a key figure in the hard rock world .
Tod Howarth’s Career
Tod Howarth continued to work in the music industry after the band’s dissolution. He played with notable acts like Cheap Trick and Ted Nugent, as well as the band 707. Howarth also pursued a solo career, releasing several albums in the 1990s and 2000s. His versatility as a guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist kept him active in various musical projects .
In 2016, Howarth reunited with Frehley’s Comet bassist John Regan to form the band Four By Fate, releasing the album Relentless the same year. This project allowed Howarth to reconnect with the melodic rock style that had defined his work with Frehley. Though Frehley’s Comet never officially reunited, Howarth’s ongoing collaborations with former bandmates helped keep the spirit of the band alive for fans.
John Regan’s Contributions
John Regan, the longtime bassist for Frehley’s Comet, remained active in the music industry, both as a musician and a producer. He worked with various artists over the years, including Peter Frampton, where he played bass for many of Frampton’s projects and live tours. Regan also contributed to several sessions as a producer and session musician, maintaining a respected career within the rock community .
Anton Fig’s Post-Comet Career
Drummer Anton Fig, who had been an integral part of both Frehley’s Comet and Ace Frehley’s earlier solo work, continued his successful career as a session drummer. He became widely known for his work as the drummer on Late Night with David Letterman, where he played in Paul Shaffer’s house band from the early 1980s until the show’s conclusion in 2015.
Ace Frehley’s contributions to both KISS and rock music as a solo artist are well-established, and his work in the 1980s with Frehley’s Comet played a crucial role in reasserting his relevance in the hard rock and metal scenes. Frehley’s Comet provided Frehley the freedom to experiment outside of KISS, and with the help of collaborators like Tod Howarth, he explored new musical directions while maintaining his signature sound.
The influence of Frehley’s Comet can still be felt among rock guitarists and bands that admire Frehley’s blend of hard rock, melodic elements, and technical prowess. For Frehley and his bandmates, their work in the late 1980s remains an essential part of their careers, and it helped set the stage for their continued contributions to music in the decades that followed.