CLASSIC ACE

Longtime GW contributor Nick Bowcott remembers the man that launched a thousand licks - and laughs

- NICK BOWCOTT

A COMMONLY UTTERED warning is "Never meet your heroes," but Ace Frehley is a hero I met on many occasions - and I'm thankful I did. Even though he met countless people, he always greeted me with a big smile and a loud, “Hey, I know this guy! How's it going, Nick?” He also made me laugh — a lot. He was a truly funny guy, not to mention a master storyteller.

The first few times I met Ace, I was either wearing my “Guitar World journalist” or “Marshall Amplification Artist Relations” hat. Then we became friends — a priceless gift that still blows me away. The fact that I was also fortunate enough to play rhythm guitar on “Parasite” and “Cold Gin” on stage alongside Ace at a couple of Dimebash charity concerts will always seem surreal too. Can you say, “huge bucket list item”?!