KISS – Ace Frehley 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Casablanca Records

Album Front Cover Photo of KISS – Ace Frehley Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

While the other members of KISS were busy proving who could shout the loudest, Ace Frehley simply turned up his amp and let his guitar do the talking. His solo album fizzes with swagger, humor, and that unmistakable space-age groove — part Bronx grit, part cosmic mischief. “Rip It Out” tears through the speakers like a street fight in 4/4 time, while “New York Groove” struts down the avenue in platform boots and mirrored shades. It’s Ace unleashed: loud, free, and absolutely in orbit with his own sound.

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"Ace Frehley" Album Description:

In 1978, a sonic boom echoed from the KISS camp. Not one, but four solo albums crash-landed on record stores shelves, each featuring a member of the iconic rock band. Among them was "Ace Frehley," the self-titled debut from KISS' lead guitarist and vocalist, the enigmatic Spaceman himself.

Released on September 18, 1978, alongside solo efforts from his bandmates, "Ace Frehley" wasn't just a chance for the Spaceman to shine outside of KISS' larger-than-life persona. It was a revelation. Here, Ace Frehley stepped out from behind the smoke and pyrotechnics to deliver a potent blend of hard rock, glam, and even a touch of blues.

Frehley, known for his fiery guitar work and raspy vocals, takes center stage on the album. He tackles lead vocals and most of the instrumentation, showcasing a surprising versatility. Tracks like "Rip It Out" are pure KISS, fueled by his signature crunch and swagger. But "Ace Frehley" also ventures beyond the band's sound.

"Ace Frehley" wasn't just a critical success, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard charts, it was a commercial one too. It outsold even KISS' previous studio album, proving that the Spaceman had a dedicated fanbase hungry for his unique brand of rock and roll

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

American Hard Rock

Hard Rock in its late 1970s American form was high-voltage, riff-driven, and unapologetically loud — a perfect fit for Ace Frehley’s explosive solo debut.

Label & Catalognr:

Casablanca Records – Cat#: 6399 083

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover + Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1978 – Made in West Germany

Producers:
  • Eddie Kramer – Producer
    Eddie Kramer is a legendary music producer & sound engineer known for shaping the sound of rock icons like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Kiss. Born in South Africa, his innovative recording techniques revolutionized studio production. From Electric Lady Studios to Woodstock, his impact spans decades. Learn more about his career & contributions in his biography.
  • Ace Frehley – Co-Producer
    Best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley brought his sharp sense of tone and production flair to his solo work, blending technical precision with a raw, streetwise rock energy.
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Eddie Kramer – Recording & Engineering at “The Mansion”, Sharon, Connecticut
  • Rob Freeman – Recording Engineer
    Rob Freeman was a prolific New York engineer active through the 1970s and 1980s, known for his crisp mixes and collaborations with KISS, Ramones, and Blondie.
  • Eric Block – Assistant Engineer
  • Don Hunerburg – Assistant Engineer
Recording Location:

The “Mansion”, Sharon, Connecticut

A private recording retreat favored by Ace Frehley, “The Mansion” provided a relaxed, insulated environment where the guitarist could record late into the night without record label pressure.
Mixing Studio & Location:

Plaza Sound, New York

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Plaza Sound Studios was a hotspot for late-1970s rock and disco production, known for its state-of-the-art mixing equipment and top-tier engineers.
Mastering Engineer & Location:
  • George Marino – Mastering at Sterling Sound, New York
    George Marino was a legendary mastering engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of countless iconic albums. Born in 1947, he honed his craft at Capitol Records before joining Sterling Sound in 1973. His mastering work on albums by AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses defined rock and metal's sonic power. His legacy endures through his meticulous audio craftsmanship. Learn more
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Eraldo Carugati – Cover Painting
    Italian-born artist Eraldo Carugati became known for his stylized portrait work, particularly the striking painted covers for the 1978 KISS solo albums that blended realism with comic-book energy.
  • Howard Marks Advertising Inc. – Album Design
    A New York-based agency specializing in high-impact rock album visuals, Howard Marks Advertising shaped the marketing identity of many Casablanca releases with bold, theatrical layouts.
Additional Credits:
  • Bobby McAdams – Guitar & Amp Technician
  • “Big John” Harte – Production Coordinator & Security
    Assisted by Rich Carlson and Ines Barreto
    Known as KISS’s towering bodyguard and tour coordinator, Big John Harte was a behind-the-scenes legend in 1970s rock, later featured in numerous documentaries about the band’s rise.
  • Eddie Solan – Inspiration (Backstreet Studios, Bronx, New York)
  • A Movable Feast – Catering
Special Thanks:

Jeanette Frehley for all her love and understanding.

Much appreciation and love to all the wonderful curly people who have helped since Ace stopped driving a taxicab in midtown.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Ace Frehley – Lead and backing vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, guitar synthesizer, bass guitar
    Ace Frehley (1951–2025) was the electrifying guitarist, singer, and songwriter who co-founded KISS in 1973, defining its space-age sound and image. After leaving in 1982, he led Frehley’s Comet through the late ’80s, later returning for KISS reunions and solo tours that spanned five decades of hard rock history. Read more on Ace .
  • Anton Fig – Drums, percussion
    South African-born drummer Anton Fig became one of rock’s most in-demand session musicians, later earning fame as the drummer for David Letterman’s Late Show band and appearing on numerous KISS and Frehley projects.
  • Will Lee – Bass guitar on "Ozone", "I'm in Need of Love", and "Wiped-Out"
    Renowned for his groove and versatility, Will Lee built a stellar session career in New York’s studio scene and became best known as the bassist for the Late Show with David Letterman band, working with artists from Steely Dan to Paul McCartney.
  • Carl Tallarico – Drums on "Fractured Mirror"
    Carl Tallarico, a New York session drummer, contributed his steady precision to several late-’70s rock projects, including this distinctive instrumental closer on Frehley’s debut.
Additional Musicians & Backing Vocals:
  • David Lasley and Susan Collins & co. – Backing vocals on "Speedin' Back to My Baby", "What's On Your Mind?", and "New York Groove"
    Both seasoned New York session singers, Lasley and Collins added soulful harmonies that balanced Frehley’s raw guitar tone with polished late-’70s radio charm.
  • Larry Kelly – Backing vocals on "Rip It Out"
    A long-time friend of Ace, Larry Kelly co-wrote “Rip It Out” and lent his voice to its explosive chorus, blending the gritty enthusiasm of New York’s rock underground.
  • Bill 'Bear' Scheniman – Bell on "Fractured Mirror"
    Engineer and producer Bill Scheniman, nicknamed “Bear,” worked across sessions for KISS, Bon Jovi, and other East Coast acts, often adding subtle sonic textures to enrich mixes.
  • Bobby McAdams – Power mouth on "New York Groove"
    Bobby McAdams, a close friend and guitar tech for Ace Frehley, brought his distinctive stage humor and sound effects to the recording, embodying the playful spirit of 1970s studio experimentation.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Rip It Out (Frehley, Larry Kelly, Sue Kelly) – 3:39
    Released as the opening track, this hard-hitting anthem set the tone for Ace’s solo debut, immediately establishing his raw, focused guitar style outside of the band.
  2. Speedin' Back to My Baby (Frehley, Jeanette Frehley) – 3:35 Guest
    Features Jeanette Frehley’s lyrical collaboration, blending Ace’s rock riffs with a humorous nod to their fast-paced relationship.
  3. Snowblind – 3:54
    A mid-tempo track often misinterpreted as drug-themed, “Snowblind” reflects Frehley’s darker humor and sharp songwriting. (It also served as the B-side to the "New York Groove" single.)
  4. Ozone – 4:41
    Driven by spacey guitar tones and Ace’s trademark echo vocals, “Ozone” became a fan favorite for its atmospheric mix.
  5. What's on Your Mind? – 3:26
    A melodic tune that lightens the album’s pace, featuring layered backing vocals and Ace’s clean rhythm guitar work.
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. New York Groove (Russ Ballard) – 3:01 Cover Single
    Originally written by Russ Ballard, this cover was the *only* commercial A-side single from the album, becoming Ace Frehley’s biggest solo hit and reaching the Billboard Top 20 in 1978.
  2. I'm in Need of Love – 4:36
    A slower, introspective piece that contrasts the swagger of earlier tracks, showcasing Ace’s emotive side.
  3. Wiped-Out (Frehley, Anton Fig) – 4:08 Guest
    Co-written with drummer Anton Fig, “Wiped-Out” captures the chaotic fun of late-night studio sessions, driven by wild percussion.
  4. Fractured Mirror – 5:25
    An instrumental closer that fuses melodic layers of guitar into a reflective finale, signaling Frehley’s growth as a composer.

Disclaimer: Track durations are approximate and may vary slightly between different country editions or reissues.

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of KISS – Ace Frehley (1978) Casablanca Records 12-inch LP Vinyl Album. The image shows a meticulously painted portrait of guitarist Ace Frehley in his iconic 'Spaceman' makeup. His face glows in radiant tones of blue, silver, and white, framed by long dark hair reflecting subtle electric-blue highlights. The stylized lightning-bolt eye design radiates from his cold gaze, evoking an interstellar mystique. The painting, created by Eraldo Carugati, floats against a deep black background that accentuates his metallic aura and cosmic alter ego.

The front cover of KISS – Ace Frehley (Casablanca Records, 1978) presents one of rock’s most unforgettable solo portraits — a hyperreal painting by artist Eraldo Carugati depicting Ace Frehley in his full Spaceman persona. His face is painted stark white, bisected by jet-black outlines forming the signature lightning-bolt motif that frames his piercing, crimson-tinged eyes.

The smooth black background isolates Frehley’s ethereal visage, illuminated by an eerie blue glow that bleeds through his dark, shoulder-length hair. The effect gives the illusion that he’s emerging from deep space, weightless and electric, suspended in the void. His lips, painted black and slightly parted, hint at a smirk — half mystery, half defiance.

Every detail of Carugati’s brushwork enhances Frehley’s otherworldly image — the faint reflections along his jawline, the metallic shimmer of the silver makeup, and the subtle gradients of blue that contour his face like lunar light. The minimalist typography — the KISS logo in the upper left and “ACE FREHLEY” in crisp white type in the upper right — keeps the focus entirely on the face.

This cover defined Frehley’s solo identity, merging 1970s rock iconography with science-fiction aesthetics. The image remains an emblem of glam-era mysticism and the enduring power of painted album art in the pre-digital age.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of KISS – Ace Frehley (1978) Casablanca Records 12-inch LP Vinyl Album. The design presents crisp white and blue text over a deep black background. Track listings for both sides are centered, printed in clean sans-serif type with song titles highlighted in bright violet. Production credits line the right margin, naming Eddie Kramer and Ace Frehley as producers, alongside engineers and mastering details from Sterling Sound, New York. The KISS logo sits boldly in the upper left, while Ace Frehley’s printed signature in blue appears near the bottom right, framed by record label logos and copyright information for Casablanca Records, Phonogram, and Rock Steady.

The back cover of KISS – Ace Frehley (Casablanca Records, 1978) is a model of late-seventies rock album design: clean, symmetrical, and assertive. Against a glossy black backdrop, all song titles, timings, and credits are presented in sharp white and violet type, perfectly aligned to the center.

The upper half features a dedication reading “To: Gene, Paul & Peter,” a nod to Frehley’s bandmates. Below it, the tracklist for Side One and Side Two stands in stacked order — from the opening blast of “Rip It Out” to the introspective closer “Fractured Mirror.” The text contrasts beautifully with the dark background, emphasizing the album’s high production value.

To the right, detailed production notes credit Eddie Kramer and Ace Frehley as producers, with recording done at “The Mansion” in Sharon, Connecticut, and mixing at Plaza Sound in New York. Mastering is attributed to George Marino at Sterling Sound. Cover painting is credited to Eraldo Carugati, with design by Howard Marks Advertising Inc.

The lower section bears familiar Casablanca and Phonogram logos, along with the “Rock Steady” mark and licensing note, confirming it was printed in West Germany. Ace Frehley’s distinctive blue autograph-style signature rests near the lower right corner — a subtle personal touch that makes the cover feel intimate despite its cosmic theme.

The minimalist elegance of this design mirrors Frehley’s precision: no photos, no distractions, only pure rock confidence on matte black paperboard.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side Two record label for KISS – Ace Frehley (1978) Casablanca Records 12-inch LP Vinyl Album, catalog number 6399 083. The classic Casablanca 'desert palace' illustration fills the upper half of the label, featuring palm trees, merchants, and camels set against a sunset sky in tones of orange, purple, and gold. The lower section displays the text 'ACE FREHLEY' in bold, with Side Two track titles — 'New York Groove', 'I'm in Need of Love', 'Wiped-Out', and 'Fractured Mirror' — printed in black. The GEMA and LC 3272 symbols appear to the left, the ST 33 logo in the center, and 'Made in West Germany' with the pressing code 'AA 6399 083.2 Y' to the right.

The Side Two record label of KISS – Ace Frehley (Casablanca Records 6399 083, 1978) captures the flamboyant identity of the label’s branding. The upper half features Casablanca’s famous desert marketplace illustration: palm trees sway beside domed white buildings under a pastel-orange sky, while camel riders, travelers, and traders bustle around the entrance to a walled city — a nod to Hollywood’s exotic glamour.

The label’s top arch displays the ornate red-and-gold Casablanca logo with “Records and FilmWorks” scripted beneath. The bottom half is cream-colored and contains the album’s essential details: the artist name ACE FREHLEY in bold, followed by Side Two track titles — “New York Groove,” “I’m in Need of Love,” “Wiped-Out,” and “Fractured Mirror.” Each song credit is neatly printed in black serif text.

Surrounding the spindle hole are the GEMA rights society box, LC 3272 label code, and ST 33 stereo designation, typical of German pressings from this period. To the right, the catalog and matrix numbers “AA 6399 083.2 Y” and “Made in West Germany” confirm its manufacturing origin. The fine perimeter text cites “Licensed by Phonogram International” and legal restrictions in German.

This label variation reflects Casablanca’s visual identity during the height of its disco and rock era — lush, cinematic, and instantly recognizable. The colors remain vivid, the typography sharp, marking it as an authentic first West German pressing from 1978.

Side Two Close up of record’s label
Close-up of Side One record label for KISS – Ace Frehley (1978) Casablanca Records 12-inch LP Vinyl Album, catalog number 6399 083. The label features the classic Casablanca 'desert city' artwork with palm trees, camels, and travelers under a radiant orange-to-violet sky. The upper half shows the red-and-gold Casablanca logo in bold script with 'Records and FilmWorks' beneath. The lower half, cream-colored, lists Side One tracks — 'Rip It Out', 'Speedin' Back to My Baby', 'Snow Blind', 'Ozone', and 'What's On Your Mind?' — with credits to Ace Frehley and producers Eddie Kramer & Ace Frehley. German pressing identifiers 'GEMA', 'LC 3272', and 'ST 33' appear near the center, along with 'Made in West Germany' and matrix number 'AA 6399 083.1 Y' on the right.

The Side One label of KISS – Ace Frehley (Casablanca Records 6399 083, 1978) displays the iconic Casablanca Records and FilmWorks desert city illustration. Palm trees line a golden horizon where travelers, camels, and traders gather at the entrance of a domed white palace, bathed in a pink-to-orange twilight gradient. The rich scene captures Casablanca’s trademark cinematic flair, blending fantasy and Middle Eastern motifs.

At the top, the ornate Casablanca logo arches across in red and gold, while the lower half is a cream background that provides crisp readability for the album details. The text “ACE FREHLEY” is printed in bold uppercase, followed by the five Side One track titles: “Rip It Out,” “Speedin’ Back to My Baby,” “Snow Blind,” “Ozone,” and “What’s On Your Mind?” Each title includes full writing credits, reflecting Frehley’s dominant songwriting role.

Along the rim, fine black text lists copyright information — “℗ 1978 Casablanca Record & FilmWorks, Inc.” — and licensing by Phonogram International. Centered near the spindle hole are the GEMA logo, LC 3272 code, and ST 33 stereo mark. To the right, the catalog and matrix number “AA 6399 083.1 Y” and “Made in West Germany” confirm its pressing origin. The design perfectly balances aesthetic detail and production clarity.

This Side One label remains a visual signature of Casablanca’s 1970s rock catalog — vivid, theatrical, and unmistakably tied to the golden age of vinyl craftsmanship.

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