During this past Friday’s (October 17) “Tribute To Ace Frehley” episode of SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist John 5 reflected on his KISS fandom and his personal relationship with the latter band’s original guitarist Ace Frehley who died on October 16 at the age of 74. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Just like everybody, just like millions of people around the world, I first discovered KISS in ’77 when I was seven years old. So he has been in all of our lives for our whole life — our whole life he has been a part of all of these people’s lives since they got into them as kids, got into KISS. And I became very close with Ace. I would talk to him just all the time on the phone. We hung out, we went to the movies, went to pawn shops, we did everything. And it was such a magical time and he had just such a kind heart and he was a a kind soul. He really was. He was just such a good person and caring person.”
Referencing the fact that Ace is slated to receive a Kennedy Center Honor at a December 7 ceremony which will air on December 23 on CBS, John added: “Everybody’s very sad [about Ace‘s passing], but then you think back of all the fun stories and all the funny stories, but one of the very last times I talked to him — it was right before his first fall. And we were talking, and what he said — he was so happy, he was so excited about the Kennedy Center Honors. He was just so over the moon about this. And what he told me is he was so excited that the president said his name and said it correctly. At this point of his life, he was over the moon. He was so happy. And that’s, I think, something really, really important.”
According to Billboard, Frehley will become only the third person to receive a Kennedy Center Honor posthumously, following two other group members who likewise died after the groups’ awards were first announced: Glenn Frey of EAGLES and Phil Lesh of GRATEFUL DEAD.
The day of Frehley‘s passing, Ace‘s former bandmate in KISS, Gene Simmons, shared a touching statement reflecting on the guitarist’s impact and the upcoming Kennedy Center Honor.
“Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on,” Gene wrote. “No one can touch Ace‘s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
U.S. president Donald Trump announced the honorees in August during a press conference at the performing arts center. Trump will also host and produce the show, which recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to American culture through performing arts.
When KISS‘s Kennedy Center Honor was first announced in August, Simmons told TMZ: “KISS is the embodiment of the American Dream. We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.”
KISS frontman Paul Stanley added: “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off. The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of kiss and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band.”
Frehley, meanwhile, called the Kennedy Center Honor “a dream come true that I never thought would materialize.”
Original KISS drummer Peter Criss kept his statement simple, saying: “I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career.”
During his first term, Trump seemingly paid no attention to the Kennedy Center, often skipping the honors ceremony. He has since vowed to transform the marquee arts center, first ousting its leadership board, then filling the board of trustees with his loyalists.
In September 2020, Frehley called Trump “the strongest leader that we’ve got.” Two years earlier, the original KISS guitarist also expressed his support for America’s 45th president during an appearance on the “Juliet: Unexpected” podcast. At the time, he said about Trump: “Whether you love him or hate him, if you’re an American and you’re a patriot, you should get behind your president. He was elected. We live under the Constitution of the United States, and you’re supposed to support your president. Love him or hate him, you’re supposed to support him, or go move to another country.
“Being American, we have the right to free speech, and I’m all for everybody putting their two cents in on everything,” he added. “But when musicians or actors get really verbal and jump on a bandwagon against our government, I don’t agree with that.”
Throughout its 47-year history, the annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala has become the highlight of the Washington cultural and society calendar. On Sunday, December 7, in a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the 48th class of Kennedy Center honorees will be saluted by today’s leading performers from New York, Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated in the Box Tier of the iconic Kennedy Center Opera House, the honorees will accept the recognition and gratitude of their peers through performances and tributes. The 48th Kennedy Center Honors Gala concludes with a post-performance party in the Grand Foyer.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television, each Kennedy Center honoree has a unique place in the fabric of our nation and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.
The honoree selection process includes solicitation of recommendations from former honorees, the artistic community, the Kennedy Center board of trustees, and the general public. This year’s selected honorees were chosen based on the recommendation of the Center’s special honors advisory committee.
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