Frehley's Comet (album)
Encyclopedia
Frehley's Comet is the second solo release from Ace Frehley
, former lead guitarist of Kiss
. Frehley also named his band after the title of this album, and in this way it is also considered the self-titled first album credited to the band Frehley's Comet
(as opposed to an Ace Frehley "solo" release). It was the first album Frehley released after leaving Kiss in 1982. Anton Fig
, who played drums on the album, also performed on Frehley's 1978 Kiss solo album
, as well as Kiss's Dynasty and Unmasked albums.
Mainstream Rock Tracks
chart in 1987. The song was originally written and recorded by Russ Ballard
(on his 1985 album The Fire Still Burns), who also composed Frehley's Top 20 single "New York Groove
".
"Breakout" is co-written with late Kiss
member Eric Carr
. Whenever Frehley performs this song live he dedicates it to Carr.
"Calling to You" is a re-write of a song called "Mega Force" originally recorded by the band 707
in 1982. Tod Howarth
had been a principal member and songwriter with 707, and likely brought the song with him when he joined Frehley's Comet. Originally recorded as the theme to the motion picture Mega Force, the song had been 707's biggest chart achievement (#12 Billboard Rock Tracks
). The "Calling To You" version by Frehley's Comet features altered lyrics, with Jonathan Cain
's writing credit removed and Frehley's added. Interestingly, the Frehley's Comet album was released on Jon Zazula's apparently unrelated Megaforce Records
.
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, former lead guitarist of Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. Frehley also named his band after the title of this album, and in this way it is also considered the self-titled first album credited to the band Frehley's Comet
Frehley's Comet
Frehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Ace Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin. Before forming a band for his post-Kiss career, Frehley had previous...
(as opposed to an Ace Frehley "solo" release). It was the first album Frehley released after leaving Kiss in 1982. Anton Fig
Anton Fig
Anton Fig , known as "The Thunder from Down Under" is a session drummer, noted for his work in David Letterman's house band, the CBS Orchestra. Letterman often refers to Fig as "Anton Zip"or "Buddy Rich Jr."...
, who played drums on the album, also performed on Frehley's 1978 Kiss solo album
Ace Frehley (album)
Ace Frehley is a 1978 solo album from the lead guitarist and vocalist of American hard rock band Kiss. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of Kiss on September 18, 1978....
, as well as Kiss's Dynasty and Unmasked albums.
Notable songs
"Into the Night" was a minor hit for Frehley, reaching #27 on Billboard'sBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart in 1987. The song was originally written and recorded by Russ Ballard
Russ Ballard
Russell Glyn Ballard is an English singer, songwriter and musician.-Career:Ballard was initially a guitarist with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano and Bob Henrit on drums...
(on his 1985 album The Fire Still Burns), who also composed Frehley's Top 20 single "New York Groove
New York Groove
"New York Groove" is a song written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello in 1975 and later by Ace Frehley in 1978.-Hello:The British glam rock band Hello first recorded the song in 1975, for their debut album, Keeps Us Off The Streets...
".
"Breakout" is co-written with late Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
member Eric Carr
Eric Carr
Paul Charles Caravello , also known as Eric Carr, was an American musician, best known as drummer for the rock band Kiss. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss left in 1980...
. Whenever Frehley performs this song live he dedicates it to Carr.
"Calling to You" is a re-write of a song called "Mega Force" originally recorded by the band 707
707 (band)
707 was a rock band of the early 1980s, best known for the rock radio hits "I Could Be Good For You" and "Mega Force".-I Could Be Good for You:...
in 1982. Tod Howarth
Tod Howarth
Tod Howarth is an American rock and roll musician best known as the vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist for the short-lived band Frehley's Comet, led by former KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley...
had been a principal member and songwriter with 707, and likely brought the song with him when he joined Frehley's Comet. Originally recorded as the theme to the motion picture Mega Force, the song had been 707's biggest chart achievement (#12 Billboard Rock Tracks
Mainstream rock
Mainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
). The "Calling To You" version by Frehley's Comet features altered lyrics, with Jonathan Cain
Jonathan Cain
Jonathan Cain is an American musician, best known for his work with The Babys, Journey and Bad English.-Early life:...
's writing credit removed and Frehley's added. Interestingly, the Frehley's Comet album was released on Jon Zazula's apparently unrelated Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label which was founded in 1982 by Jon and Marsha Zazula to publish the first works of Metallica. It has offices in New York and Philadelphia. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution...
.
Videos
- "Into The Night" - (filmed on location in San Francisco, California).
- "Rock Soldiers" - (shot in Toronto, Canada).
Track listing
Personnel
- Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
: leadLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
and rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
s, lead and backing vocals - Tod HowarthTod HowarthTod Howarth is an American rock and roll musician best known as the vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist for the short-lived band Frehley's Comet, led by former KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley...
: rhythm and lead guitars, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, lead and backing vocals - John ReganJohn Regan (bassist)John Regan is an American musician, songwriter, producer and bassist. He is notable for being a member of ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's band "Frehley's Comet" from 1984 to 1990. He has also recorded and performed with Peter Frampton 1979 til currently, John Waite, The Rolling Stones, Stephen...
: bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Anton FigAnton FigAnton Fig , known as "The Thunder from Down Under" is a session drummer, noted for his work in David Letterman's house band, the CBS Orchestra. Letterman often refers to Fig as "Anton Zip"or "Buddy Rich Jr."...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Billboard 200 | 43 |