When Legendary Childhood Idols Leave Us: Remembering Ace Frehley

It’s a strange thing when someone who shaped your childhood, whose music was the soundtrack to countless memories, suddenly isn’t with us anymore. Over the past few days, there’s been a quiet sadness rippling through the community of Ace Frehley’s fans. While his health concerns were known to many, the specifics remained private. There were whispers of a stroke or a heart attack, but the definitive issue was unclear – just that our beloved "Spaceman" wasn't doing well. Then, the news came yesterday, though I didn’t get it until I woke up this morning and it hit hard.

For so many of us, growing up meant growing up with KISS. My sister had those iconic 8-tracks of Destroyer and Love Gun and that shiny silver Double Platinum album. But for us kids, Ace was the guy. His Spaceman persona wasn't just cool; it felt like it jumped right out of a cartoon, perfectly matching his laid-back personality and incredible stage presence. He was the one who made us all want to pick up a guitar.

Ace, born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx, New York, in 1951, was immersed in music from a young age. His father was a church organist, and both his older brother, Charles, and sister, Nancy, were musically trained. Ace himself taught rudimentary guitar chords by playing along with his siblings' records. He had a fascination with both art and mechanics, which, along with his growing love for the guitar, helped keep him out of trouble in school and on the streets. Though he was popular for his ability to find dates for friends – earning him the nickname "Ace" – he was kicked out of several high schools before eventually earning his diploma. He got his first guitar at 14, learning from his brother and, true to his mechanical interests, tinkering with its inner workings. He picked up the guitar at 13, inspired by legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page and even worked as a roadie for Hendrix at 18.

In 1973, Ace co-founded KISS with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. He became known for his distinctive, bluesy, hard-rock guitar solos, which he once described as "unorthodox" because he never took formal lessons. He penned KISS classics like "Cold Gin" and "Shock Me," and contributed to beloved tracks such as "Parasite" from Hotter Than Hell (1974) and "Getaway" from Dressed to Kill (1975).

As I got older, I somehow stumbled upon Ace’s Trouble Walkin’ album and added it to my cassette collection and played it until it practically wore out. His version of “Hide Your Heart” is still my absolute favorite, even over the KISS version!

I honestly never thought I’d see Ace play live with the band. But then, during KISS’s Farewell Tour, my friend Karen invited me to go to Knoxville with her. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Seeing all four original members of KISS on stage, together, was pure magic. On a side note, Karen and I would hang out at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead during the band’s Southeast leg of that tour, just hoping for a glimpse of them. Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace were all incredibly kind. Doc, their manager, would even give us a heads-up if the guys had a rough night, which was our cue to respectfully leave before they came in. Karen even baked Gene cookies (which Ace claimed for himself!) and a cake for Ace. It was such a cool experience and a reminder that these "rock gods" were just as human as us. Walking away with those incredible memories is something I’ll never forget.

After his initial departure from KISS, Ace embarked on a successful solo career. His 1978 self-titled solo album, released while still a member of KISS, featured the top 40 hit "New York Groove". He continued to release solo albums, including Frehley's Comet (1987), Second Sighting (1988), Trouble Walkin' (1989), and Anomaly (2009), which reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. His later works include Space Invader (2014), Origins Vol. 1 (2016), Spaceman (2018), Origins Vol. 2 (2020), and 10,000 Volts (2024). He also made guest appearances on albums by other artists, showcasing his versatile guitar skills.

Ace briefly ventured into acting with the low-budget crime thriller Remedy (2005). In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a co-founder and original lead guitarist of KISS. Guitar World recognized him in the Top 15 of its "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time".

I’ve kept up with Ace over the years, collecting his solo albums and even an album by his touring band, Rock City Music Co., which featured my friend Jeanne’s boyfriend, Ryan Spencer Cook.

Hearing the news of Ace’s passing this morning left me with a profound sadness. It’s not just for the loss of a person whose music was such a huge part of my childhood and who gave me incredible memories in my adult life, but also for his family, friends and bandmates. My heart truly goes out to everyone whose lives he touched and who are now feeling this immense loss. He was a true original, a "Spaceman" who left an indelible mark on rock and roll, inspiring countless musicians like Slash, Tom Morello, John 5 and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam.

Ace Frehley also shared his story in his New York Times bestselling memoir, No Regrets. For fans looking to dive deeper into his world and the history of KISS, other great books include KISS and Sell: The Starchild, the Demon, an American Icon and a Story of Loving Too Much by C.K. Lendt, and Kiss: Behind the Mask – The Official Authorized Biography by David Leaf and Ken Sharp.

It’s hard to say goodbye to our childhood idols, but their music and the memories they created live on forever.

Saturday GLOWcase: A Tribute from a Loyal Fan - Jennifer Chiola

Welcome to another Saturday GLOWcase! Today, I'm thrilled to feature not just the incredible Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) and their production team, but also the loyal fans who have a deep connection to GLOW from its original run. Meet Jennifer Chiola, whose story beautifully captures the impact of GLOW on her life.

Jennifer has been a GLOW fan since she was 8 years old. Now 48, she reflects on how glad she is that GLOW was around when it was. Her dad, a tugboat captain, was often away, so they only got to spend about three months together each year. During those precious times, their shared love for wrestling, including GLOW and Saturday Night's Main Event, became a cherished bonding experience. They would sing the main rap song for the opening of the show as soon as it came on, creating lasting memories.

Jennifer’s dad knew the late Johnny Weaver, and they would always go to an old high school gym where Mr. Weaver would give them ringside seats. They saw several male legends of wrestling together. Jennifer fondly remembers, "His favorite thing he ever saw was when Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania. We had to go to a special auditorium to see it on the big screen because pay-per-view was not available."

Jennifer fondly recalls the skits where the ladies of GLOW would answer "fan" letters sent to them. One of the greatest joys of her life has been connecting with Jeanne Basone (Hollywood) on Twitter a couple of years ago. Hollywood's sincerity, honesty, and kindness have touched Jennifer deeply. I can attest to Hollywood’s character as well; she’s a great friend to me too. Jennifer knows her dad, who passed away when she was 13, would be proud of this connection. Despite never meeting in person, Jennifer and Hollywood have become genuine friends, showing that the GLOW wrestlers are real people, just like us.

GLOW changed Jennifer's life and helped create memories that she'll always cherish. She believes the younger generation of women wrestlers should always remember the trailblazing efforts of the GLOW ladies. Without their paving the way, modern female wrestlers would still be walking on dirt. Jennifer's gratitude to the ladies of GLOW, and especially to Hollywood, is boundless.

Jennifer’s story is a testament to the profound impact GLOW has had on its fans. Over the years, Jennifer and I have also become friends, and I hope to one day meet her, perhaps at one of the GLOW events.

As we celebrate these incredible memories, I invite you to share your own stories and experiences of G.L.O.W. Whether you met any of the wrestlers in person, watched their mesmerizing performances, or were inspired by their strength and charisma, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave comments and share your memories of GLOW. Let's honor these incredible women, crew and fans together! If you feel inspired to support our efforts in keeping the spirit of G.L.O.W. alive, your contributions in any form are greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps me continue sharing these stories and celebrating the legacy of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community!

Grandma Ella Ree Manning: A Legacy of Love and Lessons

My granny and grandfather with my dad

Grandma Ella Ree Bunch Manning—Granny to all of us—would be 104 today. Born on February 21, 1921, she was a remarkable woman whose legacy still resonates with our family. She married my grandfather Obdean in her teens and was stunningly beautiful, the kind of beauty that could have graced magazines had her life taken a different path. But Granny was dedicated to family, her life revolving around Alabama and Mississippi. I don't think she ever travelled further than Florida, Louisiana, Missouri or Tennessee.

Aunt Joan often shared stories of Granny's dedication long before she had children of her own. She took care of her brother Harry's twins, Ermon and Thurmon Bunch, who would later be part of the musical group The Plainsmen. Elvis Presley was a fan of the twins and later became a personal friend. Granny would walk the twins to school, carrying them when necessary because they lacked proper shoes to navigate the sandspur-lined dirt roads. All the while, her sister, Aunt Velma would trail behind, lost in her own world. Granny was the glue that held our family together for a long time, even after the death of my grandfather a day before my first birthday. She never remarried or even dated. As a kid, I watched my Uncle Mike, Uncle Gene, Aunt Joan and eventually my parents go through divorces, causing the family to fragment. But through it all, Granny remained our rock.

Granny was a phenomenal cook, specializing in Southern cuisine, and she could fry anything to perfection. She also sewed beautiful quilts for all her grandkids. I still wish I had mine, but it was lost when we were evicted from one of our houses. Granny was a master at a sewing machine and I feel like everything in her closet, except her winter coats and night gowns, may have been her own creations. She was a heavy smoker, going through about a carton a week. Granny never had cable TV—just an antenna on the side of her house that picked up three network channels and a few independents. Every morning, she would rise early, cook breakfast, and make coffee for the adults. She'd be in bed by 6:30 or 7:00 p.m., always watching the local news on WKRG Channel 5 before turning in.

Granny loved doing word searches, crossword puzzles, and variety puzzle books. She was a product of her time, a bit racist by today's standards, but it was a different world when she was growing up. She would often use the generalization of people that weren't like us as a means to keep us in line, or at least away from the wooded areas where they were lurking and waiting to kidnap us. Despite this, she cared deeply for all of her grandkids and even some great-grandkids. My cousin Crystal was especially close to her. Uncle Mike used to joke that Crystal was six but a year away from turning seventy because her best friend was Granny.

Granny slept with a gun next to her pillow and made sure all doors were locked from the inside. She was deaf in one ear, so if you got locked out after she went to bed, you were in for a tough night, or at least until my Uncle Mike or one of the other adults who seemed to always live in her house would arrive home. Once, when Granny visited us in Florida, I found myself locked out while she took a nap, oblivious to my knocking and ringing the doorbell.

While she wasn't particularly religious, she had a large Bible in her living room. She might look at it occasionally, but she never forced any of us to pray, a trait I appreciated. Granny was not a lady who cared much about looks but she did take care of herself. I remember her putting curlers in her hair and sitting under a pastel-colored tabletop hair dryer, painting her nails, doing puzzle books or reading library books my dad would check out for her.

Granny was a disciplinarian, instilling a healthy dose of respect in us with her preferred method of punishment—the switch. She would send us out to the yard to pick our own switch, ensuring we learned to choose wisely if we picked one that was too small or unwieldy. As we grew older, Granny kept a random stick in the house as a reminder for the great-grandkids. She didn't intend to use it, but our stories of the switch were enough to keep the younger ones in line. They learned from our experiences and knew Granny meant business.

Granny also had a deep love for animals and insisted we respect them. I remember the time I shot a squirrel with my BB gun. Instead of scolding me, Granny turned it into a lesson. She taught me to skin it and she then cooked the squirrel, showing me the importance of respecting life and the consequences of my actions. It tasted surprisingly like her delicious fried chicken, but the experience was enough to teach me a valuable lesson I'd never forget, I haven't eaten squirrel since.

While she had a sister, Velma, they were never close and didn't have much to do with each other unless Velma showed up for a visit. Granny would immediately instruct all of us kids to watch her and anyone she came with to make sure they didn’t take any of her belongings while she was distracted. That side of our family was wild, and I have many stories to share about them as well as my own immediate relations in the future.

Ella Ree Bunch Manning

Every Christmas, Granny could expect gifts like house slippers, kitchen items, or something to read, and she was always grateful for everything she received. The last time I saw Granny, my friend Ry (known as Stig to some of you) and I visited her at her house on Repoll Drive, on our way to the fair in Mobile. Granny didn't seem too impressed with Ry, but much like the time I invited my friend Costa to visit while I was living with her, she was the perfect hostess. She fried up some pork chops, mashed potatoes with gravy, and biscuits. Despite our intention to save room for fair food, we couldn't resist her cooking and enjoyed the meal and our visit with Granny.

Granny passed away in May 2002 after battling lung cancer, but even in her final days, she tried to sneak to the hospital roof to smoke. She was a resilient and stubborn woman, and we all loved her deeply.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Granny Ella Ree Bunch Manning. Your legacy lives on in all of us.

Thank you for reading this tribute to my remarkable Granny. If this story resonated with you or if you have similar memories of a loved one, please feel free to share in the comments. I love hearing from all of you and learning how our shared experiences connect us. Your thoughts and stories mean the world to me, and together, we can keep the memories of our loved ones alive.

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