In a deeply personal tribute, Anthrax and Pantera drummer Charlie Benante has mourned the passing of KISS legend Ace Frehley, describing the loss as a “profound thing” because “a part of our childhood is gone as well.” He fondly remembered the iconic guitarist as one of his four rock and roll “uncles” and the “coolest” member of the band.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” during a special episode dedicated to Frehley, who passed away on October 16 at the age of 74, Benante explained the unique connection his generation of fans had with the four founding members of KISS.
“I equate certain things to The Wizard Of Oz with KISS for myself,” Benante explained (via Blabbermouth). “Dorothy‘s three uncles, the way she looks at them, and then how they were the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. That’s how I always thought of KISS. Those guys are like our four uncles that, yes, we weren’t related, but God, they had such a vibe with us that it was like family.”
The loss was made even more poignant for Benante by the timing, as KISS co-founder Gene Simmons had just officiated his wedding to vocalist Carla Harvey a few days prior. “It was the strangest thing because we just saw Gene at the wedding. And as I’m sitting with Gene, it’s hard for the 13-year-old in me not to come out. It’s impossible,” he said.
Benante also praised Frehley’s unique musical talent, comparing his breakout solo success to that of another iconic guitarist. “I always equated Ace to George Harrison,” he said. “Once George Harrison had a chance to do a solo album — oh my god, what a solo album that was. It’s the same thing with Ace. When they all released their solo albums. Ace is the one that, for me, originally was, like, ‘Wow, this one is exactly what I thought it would be and more.'”
He fondly remembered Frehley‘s on-stage persona as a core part of the band’s magic. “Ace, to me, was the clumsy one in the band that we all kind of thought was the f**king coolest. And just the way he played and his moves — it was magic,” he stated.
Ace Frehley passed away after being hospitalized following a fall in his studio that reportedly resulted in a brain bleed. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, including from his three original KISS bandmates. For Benante, and for millions of fans, the loss is a monumental one. “This is a big thing, man,” he concluded. “This is a big thing for all of us.”
