When Did You First See Ace Frehley Without Makeup?

[Hey Man]

I was talking to a friend earlier today - he was asking me if my wife was a fan of KISS too and who is her favorite member if so.

I said she wasn't a fan and didn't understand to this day why I ever liked them, but she did tell me that when she was younger - she thought Ace Frehley had to be this really good looking guy under the make up - that she thought he almost looked like a pretty girl.

I think a lot of people were shocked when Ace finally took the makeup off and that he wasn't as good looking as maybe they thought he was.

I had a subscription to Circus and one day the mag came and the first ad in the magazine after the cover was for Laney with this ugly dude in a red jump suit. The Ace Frehley in blue didn't cross my eyes and register yet. Then it did. I was blown away shocked that this was Space Ace.

Then other ads began to appear as Frehley's Comet was soon on the way.



When did you first see Ace Frehley without makeup (not counting the Creem photos - where even then he looked better than the 80's photos)? Was it a photo or not until the Rock Soldiers video?

[Psycho Elder]

The Laney ad was the first time I remember seeing him without makeup. I remember being quite stunned lol.

[kissoff]

Feb 18, 2024 15:28:01 GMT -5 Psycho Elder said:

The Laney ad was the first time I remember seeing him without makeup. I remember being quite stunned lol.

When was the first time you saw GC's Convention pics that were promised this week...tick tock.

[Steve]

1990. Trouble Walkin' album cover.

[Psycho Elder]

Feb 18, 2024 16:03:24 GMT -5 kissoff said:

Feb 18, 2024 15:28:01 GMT -5 Psycho Elder said:

The Laney ad was the first time I remember seeing him without makeup. I remember being quite stunned lol.

When was the first time you saw GC's Convention pics that were promised this week...tick tock.

Ha ha, we have to wait to see what Ros buys from him first.

[Joma]

The Laney ad and pics around that time didn't do him any favors. He looked a lot cooler at other times without makeup. Trouble Wlkin' cover he looks cool. Even now with his wig and sunglasses to hide the old man eyes, he looks alright.

[Hey Man]

Feb 18, 2024 16:06:11 GMT -5 Steve said:

1990. Trouble Walkin' album cover.

Wow. You weren't on board for Frehley's Comet in 1987 or at least see videos then?

[Hey Man]

Feb 18, 2024 17:38:09 GMT -5 Joma said:

The Laney ad and pics around that time didn't do him any favors. He looked a lot cooler at other times without makeup. Trouble Wlkin' cover he looks cool. Even now with his wig and sunglasses to hide the old man eyes, he looks alright.

I agree on Trouble Walkin'. If that was the first photo in 1986/87 - I would still be shocked at his looks without the makeup, but not like the Laney ad.

[Steve]

Feb 18, 2024 17:42:02 GMT -5 Hey Man said:

Wow. You weren't on board for Frehley's Comet in 1987 or at least see videos then?

I didn’t know that album existed until 1993 and only found Trouble Walkin’ by chance at my local record store. I wasn’t involved in fandom back then and didn’t keep up with the specialist rock magazines. KISS got very little mainstream media coverage in those days and the ex members had even less.

[Hey Man]

Feb 18, 2024 20:44:33 GMT -5 Steve said:

Feb 18, 2024 17:42:02 GMT -5 Hey Man said:

Wow. You weren't on board for Frehley's Comet in 1987 or at least see videos then?

I didn’t know that album existed until 1993 and only found Trouble Walkin’ by chance at my local record store. I wasn’t involved in fandom back then and didn’t keep up with the specialist rock magazines. KISS got very little mainstream media coverage in those days and the ex members had even less.

Fair enough. I figured like many KISS fans - you were reading the metal mags at the time and knew about Frehley's Comet coming out.