John 5 recently shared his thoughts on his tour with Richie Kotzen, calling ⁤it “incredible.” This experience has ⁣provided a welcome distraction ‍from‌ the recent passing⁣ of his⁤ friend and musical inspiration, Ace Frehley.

The legendary ‍Kiss guitarist⁣ left us in October at the age of ‍74.

“It’s⁤ still tough ‌too ‍discuss,” John 5 admits. “He was in ⁣great spirits and health. He was looking forward to the⁢ Kennedy Center Honors, where Kiss is⁣ set to receive a ⁤prestigious accolade in December, and he was eager to⁢ perform. He seemed to be in​ such a positive place, and⁤ then tragedy‍ struck.”

“It’s​ heartbreaking-his impact on music and the world was immense. It was just a tragic accident,” he reflects.

continuing the Legacy: Collaborating ​with ‍peter Criss

John 5’s connection to Kiss extends beyond ace Frehley. He is set to feature on the upcoming solo album from co-founding⁤ drummer⁤ Peter criss, marking his first⁤ solo project as 2007. The⁢ album, aptly‍ titled Peter Criss, is scheduled for release on December 19 and promises to bring⁢ the Catman back to his rock roots, ⁤which excites John 5 immensely.

“I genuinely beleive ⁢this is ⁤Peter’s finest work,” he states confidently.”It’s going to astonish listeners because it’s that good. Fans will be thrilled-they’ve always⁣ supported their hero and want to see him succeed.”

Reflections on the ⁢Tour Experience

“Touring is my​ passion, and this experience has been fantastic,” John ⁣5 shares. “The performances have been stellar, the audience ​has been amazing, and Richie has been a joy to work with. His vocals are phenomenal every ⁣night, and the songs he’s crafted are remarkable. I’d gladly do it again-he’s‌ a delight to be around.”

Contributing to Peter Criss’ New album

“Peter has been working on this ⁢album for quite some time, and I’ve been ‌involved from the start. He needed a‌ solid producer, ⁢and ⁤I suggested my friend Barry Pointier,” ‍John 5 explains.

“I ‌collaborated closely with⁣ Peter,contributing to several tracks. Notable musicians like Paul Shaffer, Billy Sheehan, and ⁤Piggy D also lent ⁣their talents. Peter dedicated himself to this project, practicing drums and vocals daily. I’m incredibly proud of what he’s accomplished.”

A Dream Come True ​for ⁢a​ Kiss Fan

“Being part‍ of this project is‌ a dream come true!” john 5 exclaims. “I’ve played on Paul Stanley’s album, collaborated⁢ with Peter, and contributed⁤ to Ace’s records. It’s amusing that ⁢I have a close relationship with gene‍ Simmons, yet we’ve never recorded together.”

Capturing the Classic Kiss Sound

“I approached Peter’s album with a⁢ classic Kiss vibe while incorporating a modern twist,” ‍he notes. “I aimed⁣ for a raw sound-just a guitar, an amp, and one pedal.‌ with​ Barry’s exceptional ⁣production, ‌it turned out beautifully. Peter was ⁤very hands-on, ⁢guiding the process with his vision,⁢ which I appreciated.”

“I ‍wanted to maintain that bluesy essence while⁣ infusing a⁤ fresh outlook. ⁢It varied⁢ from song to song, but I‍ can’t wait for everyone to hear ⁢this record! Peter ​is equally excited. His 1978 solo‍ album ⁣is one of my⁤ favorites ⁣due to his ⁤unique voice and energy. He was the tough guy in Kiss; I‍ always thought he⁢ was incredibly cool.”

Gear Talk: The tools⁣ of the Trade

“Yes, ​I used my Ghost and Phantom guitars, along with an EVH amp, a noise suppressor, and a Super Overdrive pedal. That was it! It was pure rock⁣ ‘n’ roll, and I had ‌a blast,” he​ shares.

Remembering ‌Ace Frehley

“Ace ​was my inspiration; he, along with Hee-Haw,​ made me want to pick up the guitar. His image inspired me ‌to pursue ​this path‌ for life. Inspiration ‍is‍ a powerful force-it stays with you forever. My love for Kiss remains as strong⁣ as ‍ever. that’s how⁢ significant⁤ Ace⁢ was to‌ me,” John 5 reflects.

Final Conversations with Ace

“I spoke with Ace just days before his first accident and again afterward. After the ⁢first incident, he visited the ​doctor, who assured ‌him⁣ he was fine and healthy,” he recalls.

“Ace always struggled with ‍walking; he even had an album titled Trouble Walkin’. He had balance issues, which were evident⁤ in ‍old footage from the ’70s. it’s just so tragic.”

Unfinished Business: Collaborating on Origins Vol. 3

“In​ August, Ace mentioned he was working on Origins Vol. 3. He wanted me to contribute,which breaks my heart. I was looking forward to collaborating with him again. I’m not sure which song⁢ we would have worked ⁤on,but I cherished those moments,” he laments.

Exciting Developments in Signature Guitars

“My Ghost Tele ⁣has been a‍ hit, and I’m thrilled ⁤about the Phantom’s upcoming release.‌ I’ve ⁤had signature guitars before, but I ⁤might love the​ Phantom even more. ‌It’s incredibly cozy, featuring a contour​ on ​the body and a neck cutaway.It‍ plays beautifully, looks stunning, and sounds fantastic. I​ want everyone⁤ to ⁢enjoy it,” he enthuses.

“The Ghost was⁤ produced in limited quantities,‍ but with the‌ Phantom, I insisted on ⁤making‌ it widely available. I also have a song titled Phantom that ⁤will accompany the guitar’s release, though we don’t have a​ date yet.”

• John 5’s latest album, ​ Ghost, is currently available.