Born Paul Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, Frehley began playing guitar when he received an electric six-string for his 14th birthday in 1965. Already a big fan of the Rolling Stones, he was blown away when he caught a multi-band live show in N.Y.C. in early 1967, featuring both the Who and Cream, among others, which solidified his desire to pursue rock guitar more seriously (and put a promising art career on the back burner). Frehley began playing in local bands soon after, adding both Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix to his influences -- and around this time, adopted the nickname "Ace." Although none of the bands he played with had taken off, he answered an ad in a local paper for a new hard rock, theatrically based group in early 1973.
A few weeks after his initial tryout, Frehley was hired as the lead guitarist for the new quartet, joining bassist/singer Gene Simmons, rhythm guitarist/singer Paul Stanley, and drummer Peter Criss to form the band Kiss. By year's end, the greasepaint- and costume-wearing band was signed to Casablanca Records, and by 1978, had become one of the world's top hard rock bands. A string of platinum albums and sold-out tours lasted from 1975 until 1979, until the trappings of fame threatened to break up the band. Frehley's best friend in the band, Criss, left Kiss in 1980, as the group unsuccessfully experimented with non-metal styles. Ace Frehley's use of alcohol and drugs increased due to his ever-increasing unhappiness in the band, and, by 1982, he'd exited Kiss.
Within a year or two after his split from Kiss, Ace began putting his own solo band together, Frehley's Comet. The band played local N.Y.C. clubs, but failed to issue a record until 1987's self-titled debut for Megaforce Records. Instead of following the heavy metal direction of his exceptional 1978 solo album, Frehley's Comet tried to keep pace with the current pop-metal movement (Mötley Crüe, etc.), issuing two other albums (and a live EP) by 1989. Around this time, Frehley put his old art talents to use once again through computer graphics, with a few of his images even being featured in an art exhibit. Despite mudslinging in the press between Simmons/Stanley and Frehley in the early '90s, all four original Kiss members made up in time to reunite for a 1995 taping of MTV Unplugged. The taping was such a success that it led to a full-blown reunion of the original lineup, resulting in the massively successful 1996-1997 Alive Worldwide Tour.
Frehley continued as a member of Kiss until the end of their Farewell Tour (lasting longer than fellow original member Peter Criss, who dropped out in 2001). Live appearances, including gigs at the massive Rocklahoma festival, kept Ace busy until 2009, when he released the album Anomaly on his own label, Bronx Born Records. In 2011 he published No Regrets, a detailed and frank memoir that recounted, among other things, his aforementioned struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction. In 2013 he celebrated seven years of sobriety and spent much of that year appearing at horror, sci-fi, and pop culture conventions.
The following April, after a long wait, Kiss was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, before August brought the release of Space Invader, a solo album that took a heavier approach than Anomaly. Released in 2016, Origins, Vol. 1 was an all-covers album featuring songs from Ace's favorite bands, up to and including Kiss, with new versions of "Parasite" and "Cold Gin" sitting next to songs from Thin Lizzy and Cream. The following year, Frehley joined Kiss bassist/vocalist Simmons on-stage at a Hurricane Harvey benefit for the Children Matter organization in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the former bandmates had performed together in over 16 years. In 2018 Frehley issued his eighth solo long payer, Spaceman, which featured a power pop cover of Eddie Money's "I Wanna Go Back" and the rowdy single "Rockin' with the Boys," the latter of which was written during Kiss' '70s heyday.
In the fall of 2018, Frehley revealed that he was changing his entire solo backing band from guitarist Richie Scarlet, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Scot Coogan to Gene Simmons‘ solo band members consisting of Philip Shouse on guitar/vocals, Ryan Cook on guitar/vocals, Jeremy Asbrock on guitar/vocals, and Christopher Williams on drums.
He then released a second covers album, Origins, Vol. 2, in September 2020.
Biography by Greg Prato
Website: http://www.acefrehley.com
Ace Frehley (1978)
Frehley's Comet (1987)
Second Sighting (1988)
Trouble Walkin' (1989)
Anomaly (2009)
Space Invader (2014)
Origins Vol. 1 (2016)
Spaceman (2018)
Origins Vol. 2 (2020)
10,000 Volts (2024)
Dolls
Ace Frehley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting just to freely please me
While I wash they're occupied
Cleaning things so sweetly neatly
When I play they play with me
Willing to do anything
[Chorus]
You must believe me
It's plain to see, they really love me
I love my dolls,
They'll never leave me happily
While I sleep they keep me warm
Nestled right beside me, tightly
As I eat they wait on me
Making sure I'm satisfied
[Chorus]
When friends come over they're astonished by the sight
So many dolls in just one place gives them a fright
Don't understand what makes them so uncomfortable
Around my dolls
[Chorus]
The song "Dolls" by Ace Frehley describes a personal connection and companionship that the singer has with his dolls. It depicts how these toys are always there for him, waiting to please him in any way they can. They provide comfort and warmth, and make sure he is satisfied with his meals. The singer also highlights how his dolls are willing to play with him and do anything, which shows the depth of his emotional attachment to them.
However, the singer also reveals how his friends are uncomfortable in the presence of his dolls. This disparity between the singer's relationship with his dolls and how others perceive it showcases the stigma and social taboo associated with adult men displaying an interest in dolls or toys that are typically associated with children.
Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest that the singer's relationship with his dolls is similar to that of a child with their toys. It portrays the emotional attachment that some people can develop with their possessions, demonstrating how they become an important part of their lives and even offer companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
When I wake they're always there
As soon as I wake up, my dolls are always there, waiting for me.
Waiting just to freely please me
My dolls are always ready to make me happy and fulfill my every wish.
While I wash they're occupied
My dolls keep themselves busy and entertained while I go about my routine tasks, such as washing.
Cleaning things so sweetly neatly
My dolls are meticulous and attentive when it comes to cleaning, making everything look spotlessly clean and tidy.
When I play they play with me
My dolls come to life when I'm playing with them, they are always there, ready to play along with me.
Willing to do anything
My dolls are always ready to do anything I ask of them, they are eager to please me in any way possible.
[Chorus]
I adore my dolls, and they love me back. They are always there for me and never leave me alone.
While I sleep they keep me warm
My dolls keep me warm and comfortable while I sleep, snuggling up tightly beside me.
Nestled right beside me, tightly
My dolls are always close to me and make me feel loved and secure.
As I eat they wait on me
My dolls serve me as I eat, making sure that I'm satisfied.
Making sure I'm satisfied
My dolls are attentive and caring, always making sure that I'm happy and content.
[Chorus]
I value my dolls deeply, they mean the world to me. They are loyal companions who will always stand by me.
When friends come over they're astonished by the sight
When my friends come over and see all my dolls in one place, they are surprised and taken aback.
So many dolls in just one place gives them a fright
The large number of dolls in my collection often intimidates my guests and makes them feel uneasy or scared.
Don't understand what makes them so uncomfortable
I can't quite grasp why people can't appreciate and enjoy my dolls as much as I do.
Around my dolls
Being around my dolls seems to make some people uncomfortable and uneasy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ACE FREHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind