Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and original member of the iconic rock band KISS, recently opened up in an in-depth interview with Chris Shiflet about various facets of his career and personal experiences.

From candid revelations about drug use during the classic KISS days to his influence on Eddie Van Halen’s guitar tapping technique, and even the origins of the famous KISS makeup, Frehley shared stories that shed light on the life behind the rock star persona.

Ace Frehley was frank about his relationship with drugs during the heyday of KISS.

He admitted to indulging in some substances but maintained a sense of professionalism and integrity.

“I’d have a couple of beers before the show, maybe a couple of lines of blow,” Ace said.

However, he was careful not to get wasted before or during performances.

“I always wanted to perform at my best,” he explained.

Instead of heavy partying before shows, Ace reserved the intense celebrations for after the concerts, once the band returned to the hotel.

This approach allowed him to maintain his performance quality.

“If you look at most of my concert footage over the years, I’m pretty spot on. Yeah, I’m a little sloppy sometimes, but you know, listen to Paul’s rhythm work online,” he quipped, referring to Paul Stanley, KISS’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist.

One of the most visually iconic aspects of KISS is their theatrical makeup, and Ace Frehley was instrumental in shaping its early development.

When he started, Frehley’s makeup was simple—just silver. Over time, he added blue eyeshadow to make his eyes pop more on stage.

“Everybody’s makeup changed a little through the years—Gene’s did, Peter’s did,” he recalled.

He shared an interesting anecdote about the experimentation phase at a club called the Daisy, where the band was still figuring out their looks.

Ace remembered one night when he came out with his entire face painted silver, unsure of what the final design would be.

Gene Simmons was already committed to the “Demon” persona, while Ace, a fan of science fiction films, decided to become the “Spaceman,” creating stars outlined in black around his eyes.

Paul Stanley’s makeup also went through changes. Initially, Paul had white face paint with red lipstick and a circle around his eye, resembling the dog from *The Little Rascals*.

Ace suggested Paul try putting a star over his eye, which became Paul’s signature look for the rest of his career.

“He’ll never admit that I came up with it,” Ace joked.

When asked who smelled worse after a show—Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, or Peter Criss—Ace didn’t hesitate. “Oh, forget it, Gene,” he said with a laugh.

According to Ace, Gene’s wife, Shannon, even nicknamed him “Stinky” because he didn’t shower as often as the others.

Ace Frehley also touched on the subject of guitar tapping, a technique famously associated with Eddie Van Halen.

Before Van Halen’s rise to fame, Ace recalled that Eddie was closely watching his guitar solos at Madison Square Garden.

“Eddie was down in the pit watching every move I made.”

Ace claimed that he did tapping using a pick rather than fingers and believed he might have come up with the technique himself.

“Eddie probably got some ideas from me, just like I got ideas from other guitar players, but he perfected it,” Ace acknowledged.

He also humbly admitted that he couldn’t play some of the complex solos Eddie pulled off.

Supporting this history, former W.A.S.P.guitarist Chris Holmes, who grew up with Eddie Van Halen, recounted that Eddie likely learned tapping from Terry Kilgore, a lifelong friend who had taken lessons from Harvey Mandel.

Mandel was known to use finger tapping, and Holmes believed that Eddie picked up the technique from this lineage.

Legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore also corroborated Mandel’s influence, recalling that he first saw the hammer-on and tapping style from Harvey Mandel at the Whisky a Go Go in 1968.

The audience was so surprised by Mandel’s innovative playing that even Jim Morrison was carried out for shouting abuse at the band.

Blackmore suggested that Eddie Van Halen must have incorporated some of these ideas into his own groundbreaking style.

Throughout the interview, Ace Frehley emphasized his commitment to integrity and delivering a strong performance despite the challenges of touring and the temptations of the rock and roll lifestyle.

His approach to balancing partying and professionalism was clear: enjoy the lifestyle but never at the expense of the music.

Ace’s stories offer a rare glimpse into the dynamics within KISS and the broader rock guitar community during a formative era.

His honest reflections on drug use, makeup experimentation, and musical innovation enrich the understanding of how some of rock’s most enduring legends crafted their identities and sounds.

Ace Frehley’s candid interview reveals much more than just the surface glamor of rock stardom.

It highlights the discipline behind the scenes, the creative processes that defined KISS’s visual and musical style, and the mutual influences among legendary guitarists.

From his role in inspiring Eddie Van Halen’s tapping to shaping the iconic KISS makeup, Ace Frehley’s legacy remains a cornerstone of rock history.

For fans and music historians alike, these insights deepen appreciation for the artistry and dedication that propelled KISS and its members to legendary status.