Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan recently reflected on his experience contributing to Ace Frehley’s 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin’. In a new conversation with George Dionne of “KNAC.COM“, the musician shared vivid memories of working alongside the legendary Kiss guitarist, as well as the surprise of finding other rock icons in the studio that day.
Rachel Bolan, along with Skid Row guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo and then-vocalist Sebastian Bach, provided backing vocals for the record. The session also featured a guest appearance by former Kiss drummer Peter Criss. Rachel Bolan recalled being invited to the session by his friend Richie Scarlet, who was playing guitar for Ace Frehley at the time.
“Well, when we went to the studio that day, at the time, I think we had already met Ace at the MTV studios, and we did ‘Cold Gin‘. He played acoustic, and it was mind-blowing. So, my friend Richie Scarlet was playing guitar with Ace at the time, and I think they were in Connecticut, and we were in Connecticut. And he called me, he was, like, ‘Hey, grab the guys and come down and sing backup on Ace‘s record on a couple songs.’ I was, like, ‘Hell, yeah. I’m answering for everyone.’ And so a few of us went down. And I walk in the studio, I see Richie, hugs, whatever. And I look over at the console, and it’s [legendary producer] Eddie Kramer sitting there, which I had no idea he was producing the record. I was, like, ‘Oh, man.’ And then I hear the drums, and I’m looking. I forget who played drums at the time in the band, but I look at him and I hear drums, and I’m, like… And I look over the window and there’s Peter Criss behind the drums playing drums. I’m, like, ‘You have got to be kidding me.’ I’m looking at Richie and we’re all looking, I’m looking at Snake, and I’m, like, ‘Are you joking, man? Peter Criss and Eddie Kramer, and we got invited by Ace. This is too much,'” Rachel explained (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
One of the most enduring moments from the session involved a lighthearted exchange between Peter Criss and Ace Frehley during the recording of the title track, “Trouble Walkin’“.
“The funniest moment, and because Peter‘s a funny guy — he’s a really funny guy, and we had just met him. I’m kind of nervous, I’m kind of starstruck, and we’re all around a mic, and we all have our headphones on. And Ace is showing us, ‘I am trouble walkin’.’ And that’s the line, right? And out of nowhere, Peter goes, ‘Ace, you should change it to ‘I have trouble walking’.’ And I was, like, ‘Do I laugh? Do I not laugh?’ And then Ace started cracking up. I was, like, ‘Okay, cool. It’s great.’ But yeah, that is such a vivid memory about Ace. And he was just so in on the joke. He was, like, ‘Yeah. Yeah, I do,'” he added.
The look back at his early career comes as Rachel Bolan prepares for the launch of his debut solo project. Performing under the name Bolan, he will release his first solo album, Gargoyle Of The Garden State, on June 12 via earMUSIC. The project was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, known for his work on Skid Row’s 2022 album The Gang’s All Here.
The solo record features an impressive list of guests, including Rachel Bolan’s Skid Row bandmates Dave “Snake” Sabo, Scotti Hill, and Rob Hammersmith. Other contributors include Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Danko Jones, Steve Conte of New York Dolls, and Damon Johnson of Brother Cane and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Meanwhile, Skid Row remains in the process of searching for a permanent lead vocalist following the March 2024 departure of Erik Grönwall.
Ace Frehley passed away last October at the age of 74. According to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner, the founding Kiss guitarist died from blunt-trauma head injuries sustained during an accidental fall. A CT scan revealed multiple contusions, a subdural hematoma, and skull fractures. The report also noted that he had suffered a stroke, alongside bruising on his abdomen, thigh, and hip. A separate toxicology report has not yet been made public.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley, the musician died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey. Reports indicated he passed nearly two weeks after suffering a second fall at his home, which resulted in a severe brain bleed. He was placed on life support before his family ultimately made the heartbreaking decision to remove the ventilator.
