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What Is Ace Frehley’s Net Worth?
Ace Frehley, the iconic American rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founding member of the legendary band Kiss, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $1 million. This figure is primarily a result of his extensive career in music, spanning decades of performances, album releases, and songwriting contributions.
Early Life and Influences
Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York City, Ace’s early life was steeped in a musical environment. Growing up with two siblings, his passion for music ignited when he received an electric guitar as a Christmas present at a young age. From that moment forward, he dedicated countless hours to honing his skills, drawing inspiration from guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and Led Zeppelin. These influences shaped his unique style and contributed to his rise as one of rock’s most recognizable guitarists.
During his high school years, Ace earned his nickname “Ace” due to his success in getting dates with girls. He later dropped out of high school, but later earned his diploma. To support himself, Ace worked odd jobs such as mail, furniture, and liquor delivery.
Career Highlights with Kiss
Ace’s career took a significant turn in the early 1970s when he auditioned for the band that would eventually become Kiss. Despite initial concerns about his image, his exceptional guitar skills won over Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley, securing his place as the band’s lead guitarist. In 1973, Kiss was officially formed, marking the beginning of Ace’s journey to rock stardom.
Ace’s contributions to Kiss extended beyond his guitar playing. He also designed the band’s iconic lightning-bolt logo, showcasing his graphic art talents. As “The Spaceman,” Ace became an integral part of Kiss’s unique stage personas, complete with elaborate makeup and costumes. Early on, Ace’s income wasn’t enough to pay the bills, so he drove a cab part-time. By the end of the year, however, Kiss members were paid a $50-per-week salary from their manager, allowing Frehley to quit his job.
In 1974, Kiss released their self-titled debut album, featuring two tracks written by Ace, including “Cold Gin.” While he initially lacked confidence in his singing voice, Ace eventually took on lead vocal duties in 1977, performing “Shock Me” for the album “Love Gun.” Despite his vocal reservations, Ace continued to write numerous songs for the band, even if he wasn’t always the one singing them.
Each member of Kiss released their own solo album in 1978. Ace’s solo album was by far the most popular and sold the most copies. His track “New York Groove” reached the Top 20 charts in the United States.
Ace contributed a number of songs for the albums “Dynasty” and “Unmasked.” However, tensions within the band were rising. Peter Criss was voted out of the band in 1980. By 1982, Frehley had completely left the band.
After leaving Kiss, Ace still received one-quarter of the share in the Kiss partnership. This continued until 1985, and it allowed him to take 25% of the profits for the albums “Lick It Up” and “Animalize” despite contributing nothing to their production.
Solo Career and Frehley’s Comet
Following his departure from Kiss in 1982, Ace embarked on a solo career, forming the band Frehley’s Comet. In 1987, the band signed a deal with Megaforce Records and released a self-titled album that sold nearly 500,000 copies. The album charted well but failed to make much of an impact in the mainstream rock world.
Ace later released albums under his own name, such as “Trouble Walkin’.” He then rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a reunion tour and contributed minimally to their new album, “Psycho Circus.” Ace then toured twice more with Kiss – once in 2001 and again in 2018.
Real Estate Ventures and Financial Challenges
In February 2013, a bank in Yorktown, New York, foreclosed on Ace’s house after he failed to pay $735,000 worth of mortgage payments. He also neglected to pay two years’ worth of property taxes on the 3-acre home. He reportedly owed interest, late charges, and other fees.
