Anthony Esposito: The Unfiltered Bassist Behind Rock Legends
from his early days in New York, Anthony Esposito embraced the bass guitar with an unwavering commitment. “I vividly recall the calluses forming and blood trickling from my fingertips,” he reflects. “Yet, the thrill of playing was irresistible.”
A Journey Through Rock History
This fervor opened doors to collaborations with iconic musicians like George Lynch,Ace Frehley,and Jake E. Lee. However, Esposito’s role transcended mere collaboration; he became a trusted confidant. “I appreciate you recognizing that,” he admits, “but I’m not entirely sure why!”
Breaking Into the Scene with Lynch Mob
How did you find your way into Lynch Mob back in 1989?
“I initially auditioned for a band under Atlantic Records but didn’t land the role. Fortunately, a publicist took an interest in me and arranged several auditions. One of those was with Lynch Mob in Arizona. I received demo tapes of other bassists trying out,so when I arrived,they asked if I needed help with the songs. I confidently replied, ‘No, I’m all set.’”
The first track I played was Wicked Sensation. I was familiar with all the transitions, and they were astonished! They thought I was an otherworldly fit, intuitively knowing George’s next move!”
Connecting with George Lynch
What was it like working with George Lynch, known for his eccentricities?
“His humor can be quite polarizing, but we hit it off wonderfully. We spent considerable time together on tour, and I formed a close bond with everyone in the band, especially Mick Brown.”
Finding common Ground
What was the secret to syncing with George?
“I didn’t come from a traditional rock background; my roots were in jazz, punk, and upright bass. This was my first significant gig,and I wasn’t fully aware of George’s reputation. However, once I played alongside him, I quickly grasped his brilliance.”
“My lack of exposure to the rock scene reflected in my playing style. I didn’t sound like the typical bassists emerging from the Sunset Strip; I wasn’t locked into the straight eighth-note patterns prevalent in Dokken. I approached the gig differently than many others.”
Gear and Endorsements
Did George influence your choice of equipment?
“I had been introduced to the Kubiki bass, a remarkable instrument crafted by the late Philip Kubiki. It had a modern look for rock but played beautifully. That became my foundation, alongside an old Fender P-Bass.”
“George quickly educated me on endorsements! once I secured the gig, I reached out to several bass amp companies for gear.I discovered that Ampeg amps complemented my style perfectly.”
“After we recorded Wicked Sensation, I realized I needed a robust touring setup. I arranged for a considerable backline, but once the tour concluded, I returned everything, showcasing my naivety at the time! They were shocked, saying, ‘No one ever returns gear. Your the only one!’”
The Downfall of the Original Lynch Mob
What led to the disbandment of the original Lynch Mob lineup?
“We were touring with seasoned professionals like Jeff Tate from Queensrÿche and Tom Kiefer from Cinderella, who never missed a note.However, Oni Logan often took time to warm up on stage. I suspect he didn’t warm up before shows, which caused him to struggle initially. George decided he couldn’t wait for him to find his footing, and that was that.”
I always told George: ’We hire incredibly talented individuals. Just play guitar. You need to step aside and let them shine.’
Staying for One More Album
You remained for another album before parting ways.
“George and I handled most of the press interviews,often doing 10 to 12 a day to promote the record.The first question was always, ‘When are you going back to Dokken?’ George would insist, ‘No, this is a band.I love being in Lynch Mob.’”
“However, when he dismissed Oni and brought in Robert Mason for the second album, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. George encountered issues with Robert and contemplated a third vocalist. I warned him, ‘If you keep changing singers, it’ll appear more like a solo project than a band.’”
“I told him he had two options: either bring Oni back for vocal training or work through the challenges with Robert. I joined because it was a band with equal stakes, not just a hired gun situation, yet he was swapping singers like they were disposable.”
Reuniting with George in the Late ’90s
In the late ’90s,you reconnected with George.
“Initially, it was meant to be a George Lynch solo project. While visiting a friend at a studio, I learned George was recording in another room. I agreed to participate, thinking it was a solo endeavor. However, Robert ended up singing, and it became a Lynch Mob album.”
“I still own a third of the Lynch Mob name because,after resolving issues with Oni,ownership reverted to a four-way split. I insisted, ‘If you’re calling it a Lynch Mob album, I deserve a share, not just a paycheck for playing bass.’ The situation was peculiar, but we toured until the usual tensions with George resurfaced.”
“During the second album, he was re-editing videos and altering artwork, and I questioned, ‘What are you doing? You’re not an art director! Share your ideas, but let the professionals handle it. We hire talented people for a reason, George. Just focus on playing guitar and let them do thier jobs.’”
“It’s amusing that in a recent interview, he mentioned, ‘I’d probably be better off just playing guitar!’”
Working with Ace Frehley
In 2006, you began collaborating with Ace Frehley. What was that experience like, especially as he was newly sober?
“When I met Ace, I had been sober for 11 years. We discussed our journeys and attended meetings together. I admired his commitment to sobriety. A mutual friend, Frankie Gibson from the Hells Angels, introduced us.”
I was more than just Ace’s bassist. you become a target because everyone wants to be the person ace relies on.
“I arrived at his home with my bass. He was in his studio and said, ‘Let’s jam – just plug into that Marshall over there.’ it was the iconic red Tolex Marshall from the Destroyer tour. A truck driver friend of his, Jeff, was there too, and Ace said, ‘Jeff will play drums.’”
“I thought, ‘Great! My first jam with Ace Frehley, and I’m playing with a truck driver through a guitar amp!’ But it turned out to be fantastic, and we became incredibly close friends. I was fortunate to be welcomed into his inner circle, not just musically but personally.”
Reviving Ace’s Solo Career
Many may not realize your pivotal role in Ace’s solo career revival.
“He expressed a desire to create another solo album. I encouraged him, saying, ‘Absolutely, but let’s hit the road first to sharpen your live performance skills.’ We assembled a band with Scot Coogan and Derek Frigo,marking the start of that journey.”
“After a brief tour, we began working on Anomaly. Ace wanted me to co-write, but I felt it was essential for him to express his own thoughts after years without a solo album. His fans were eager to hear his outlook.”
Crafting the Music for Anomaly
How did you develop the music for Anomaly?
“Ace had recorded ideas on dictaphones during the Kiss farewell tour. We would identify strong verses and jot them down on a dry-erase board until we paired them with complementary sections. Once we had a solid collection, we invited Anton Fig to join us for jamming.”
Ace’s Solo Success and Your Departure
Ace’s resurgence as a solo artist took off after that. Why did you decide to leave in 2015?
“There’s a lot that comes with being part of Ace’s world; I was more than just a bassist; I was his friend.you become a target because everyone wants to be the one Ace turns to.”
“I always reminded him, ’The label of ‘ex-Kiss guitarist’ opens many doors, but it also carries the weight of delivering an unforgettable live performance. you owe it to your fans.’ I introduced the blue plexiglass baffle boards for the amps, the grand backdrop with lasers, and the iconic voiceover saying, ‘Your mission, should you choose to accept it…’”
ace embraced these ideas and was mindful of his health. However, much of the conversion coincided with his relationship with Rachel Gordon.”
Joining jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel
After leaving Ace, you joined Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel.
jake has faced immense physical and emotional challenges after losing Ozzy and experiencing a shooting incident. His journey could take two paths.
“They had completed their first album when Greg chaisson was diagnosed with throat cancer, prompting Jake to seek a bassist. My son was the best man at Jake’s wedding, and while we were chatting on my porch, he mentioned, ’Jake wants to know if you’d like to play bass with him.’”
“I immediately replied, ‘Absolutely! What do you want me to learn?’ I felt incredibly fortunate to collaborate with another unusual musician. Jake is a true musical talent who just happens to be an exceptional guitarist. I seized the opportunity with enthusiasm.”
Reflections on Your Unique Position
Have you ever pondered why you consistently find yourself alongside such remarkable yet enigmatic guitarists?
“I’m known for my brutal honesty, even if it risks my position. Ace appreciated this because he was often surrounded by people who would tell him he could do no wrong – they would just agree with him. I never did that. They seek the truth to ensure they’re on the right path.”
“I’ve always prioritized my guitarists over my own interests. With Ace, I would ask, ‘What’s best for his career right now? What should he be focusing on?’ The same goes for Jake; I put him first.Occasionally, he’ll ask for my opinion, but ultimately, it’s his band.”
“Jake is very clear about how he wants to present himself, and I’m here to help him share his music with the world in the way he envisions. I’m honored to be his friend and even more honored to be the person he looks to on stage.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for you?
“Jake has endured so much physically and emotionally after losing Ozzy and being shot.His future could unfold in two ways – he can let the music flow or choose not to. It’s entirely up to him.”
“I’m also feeling unsettled. He was shot almost a year ago, coinciding with the anniversary of Ace’s passing. I lost Ace, who meant a lot to me. heaven forbid anything happens to Jake. I plan to visit him next week just to sit down and catch up over a drink.”
