Download PDF No Regrets Ace Frehley Joe Layden John Ostrosky 9781451613957 Books

Product details Paperback 320 pages Publisher VH1 Books; Reprint edition (June 5, 2012) Language English ISBN-10 1451613954

No Regrets Ace Frehley Joe Layden John Ostrosky 9781451613957 Books Reviews

• I could not put the book down, great read, flowed well. Loved reading about his days growing up, and early days in the band. Ace and the other members sure paid their due’s before stardom hit. He is the one of the 4 who does not take petty shots at other members of the band, but I still expected more of that in his book. Picks on Gene a bit, for good reason as you will read. Easy on his friend Peter, but at least tells stories of he and Peter that gives you a glimpse of what Peter was like behind the scenes. Very easy on Paul, which surprises me based on the low blows Paul likes to take at Ace and other members.
  You won’t be disappointed. Great quick read,. if he is your favorite of the band, this will make you like, and root for him even more!
• I wrote a harsh review of Ace right after reading the book . Its hard to see your heroes in the real light . Ace is a really really good guitar player when he is not lazy . The live work he did from 73- 77 was very good . A very ballsy player , great phrasing , well thought out solos . He has received praises from great players like Eric Clapton and Marty friedman .
  
  My first review was so harsh because of his repeated reckless behavior . Its one thing to put yourself in danger , another to put others lives in danger . But i came back to re write the review in a better light as i realized i did really stupid stuff in my early 20s too . Driving impaired on purpose multiple times . Driving about 80 through a neighborhood that had kids in it and crashing into a curb then yard . But i will say i grew up . We all do stupid stuff though and i cannot judge . It just seems like after kiss he went off the rails and stayed off the rails until recently.
  
  In interviews today he seems very cool and level headed . But people on screen /radio put on one thing but can be another .
  
  Maybe its just how Ace was/is and thats why he plays like he does . Ill say if you are an artist that relies on drugs and alcohol and crazy behavior - never own a car or guns . I do realize its how some artists cope or get their creativity out . i dont have a problem with that . Look at Lemmy . He drank and did drugs until the end , he had quit driving years ago . I dont have any problem with drugs and drink but if its a big part of your life - stay away from the machinery . All these stories are cool , but Ace would be a nobody now if he took out a family or accidentally shot someone .
  
  With that said - Ace can play a note or lick and you know its him . Hendrix Died , Clapton softened , Jimmy Page wasnt a clean player --- Ace was the conduit from the early 70s to the Eddie Van Halen era . And in retrospect Aces bluesy style stands the test of time more than the fast 80s guitarists . Ace Frehley Ted Nugent Joe Perry - that stuff stands up . Music is about melody , good singing notes with great tone ....not speed and all that chugga chugga crap .
  
  Anyway, if Ace is/was your hero , hold on to your seat and prepare to be a bit disappointed in some of what he did . The book should have been called " regrets ? I have a few "
  
  He's still a musical hero in my book though.
• There's probably not much to add that hasn't already been said in other reviews, but like so many others, I was a huge KISS fan back in their 70's heyday, though I was still quite young. Ace was always my favorite...by a long shot! I've never even been certain why that was(I ended up being a drummer!), but Ace was just the "coolest" and most interesting to me, despite Gene's great theatrics, etc. Anyway...what most strikes me about this book is that I have a tough time believing Ace wrote most it! I know Ace is much smarter than many give him credit for, and that he even mentions his very high IQ, etc. But anyone who has ever heard Ace in interviews, etc, even totally sober, would have to concede that he still doesn't come across as being nearly as well-spoken, erudite even, as he does in the book! The book reads like it was written by a professional writer from start to finish.(as opposed to Peter's) I'm not sure how much input the two others credited as assisting in this work really contributed, but it's just very hard to believe Ace himself is telling the story - in other words, it just doesn't "sound" like him "talking" so to speak. I don't mean this as a put-down and I am certainly not suggesting Ace isn't a smart guy - I don't know him and that would be grossly unfair. I'm just basing this on my perceptions, so perhaps I'm totally off-base here. Then again, maybe after years off the drugs and booze, he has a natural talent for writing as well as music!
  
  I am glad he didn't go into the details on certain things as Peter did - I could have lived a full life without needing to know about Peter jerking-off in a butcher shop backroom and so forth! (good grief!)
  
  Either way - I still love the guy and enjoyed the book! It is a "page-turner" and I breezed through it. I would have liked more detail on the KISS years as others have noted(there's VERY little about the reunion years interestingly enough), but let's face it - how much can he honestly remember between the beers, drugs and the fact that it's forty years in the past? I'm glad he's sober today and wish him all the best!
  
  I recommend the book to any classic KISS and/or Ace fan.