Rocket Ride . . .

With the last KISS-related sighting in ND being almost (8) years ago, the announcement of Ace Frehley's upcoming March 11th Fargo performance was truly exciting news for local guitarists and music fans. My lovely wife excitedly delivered the news to me a week or so ago, after reading about it on the In-Forum website. As if she wasn't already perfect in every way, she scored (2) nice floor seats for my sister and I to attend the show.

A notorious prankster and died-in-the-wool rocker, Ace has never been one to jump the train to notariety - a far cry from the paths chosen by his KISS counterparts Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Simmons, the quintessential media whore, acts as the "fall guy" in his own family-based reality show (*which is actually very funny, by the way). And Stanley, vain as ever, preens and poses for his line of signature model guitars. Other than an occasional call-in to friend Eddie Trunk's NY-based radio show, and appearances at select events and shows - the Spaceman remains largely out of the public eye. Such may bide well to his renewed musical efforts, which include a bevy of spring dates, as well as a rumored - but seemingly eminent 2008 release.

Pandering the historical significance of a theatrical-based rock guitarist like Frehley might come easy for casual fans, especially in light of the Simmons-led mega-marketing campaign of the past decade (KISS condoms, anyone?!!) However, those "in-the-know" are well aware of Ace's penchant for the glorious rock hook and trademark Les Paul-wielding saviour fare'. Costumes and gimmickry aside, Ace has paid his rock n' roll dues, and has a vast catalog of heavyweight material to prove it. From the gut-wrenching, power-chorded magnificence of ALIVE's 100,000 Years, to Love Gun's stadium rock standard Shock Me, to the pop-rock genius of New York Groove, Mr. Frehley has given us more than an ample dose of rocket-propelled guitar bravado.

The build-up for Ace's present tour and album release has been rather hush-hush, but my guess is that this isn't going to be the case when the lights go down at the Fargo Theater on March 11th. Not only does Frehley have a lot to draw from in the KISS catalog, his Frehley's Comet-era material features a lot of solid, kick-ass power rock. Throw in the possibility of a vintage cover or two (perhaps the Stones' "2000 Man"), and we could be talking about a really awesome show from start to finish.

However you choose to look at KISS, or their individual members, know for a fact that I'll be in the seats - grinning from ear-to-ear - when one of my favorite players of all time takes the stage in my hometown.

Really - does it get any better than that? J.