Met Ace Frehley

[No Surprize]

Being a long time KISS fan, and Ace being the reason why I started playing, I had the opportunity & time to go meet him at this Horror con they had up in

Orlando, Florida. So, first off, without a doubt, he's a big time Rock star & the convention treated him like one. He had 2 huge bodyguards around him 24/7.

Finally comes out to where he's gonna sign autographs, with his 2 juggernaughts paving the way. Now mind you, this place had a ton of booths set up for

various actors & directors who have starred in or directed Horror movies. Ace had a ROOM. Actually 2 rooms where you walked in the first one & one of his

juggernaughts told you what he would sign & would NOT sign, plus if you had a camera, that one of the jugheads would take the picture for you. The price of an

autograph picture was $40.00. A picture with Ace was $75. Now, when you went into the 2nd room, there was Ace, sitting on a chair that looked like something

out of King Arthur's Camelot, yes, a THRONE! I had the recent disc to sign, which was fine, but I had also bought my Old Kiss LP's like "Love Gun", "Destroyer",

and "Rock n Roll Over" to sign, but that wasn't going to happen cause juggie told us in the first room that he will absolutely NOT sign any Kiss Items, which

totally disgusted me and I think Ace saw that look in my eyes. I did get to shake his hand, talk for a few with him, but that was it. There were thousands of

people there, unreal. One thing also, in the room with Ace was his lawyer. If you got an item signed like a guitar (which was $500.00) you had to sign a waiver

and a legal form from his lawyer stating that you will NOT selll this item on ebay for more than you paid for it here or you will be in a courtroom soon. All in all

it was cool to finally meet the man who is and always will be in my opinion the "Spirit and Soul" of Kiss. I never found out why he wouldn't sign any KISS items.

Anybody Know?

[Michigan Girl]

Huge talent, that man, huge!!
He has as much talent as he is lacking in tenacity and fortitude ...shame!!

[WalrusOct9]

Wow...that's kind of bullshit. I know everyone needs to make a buck, but what about just meeting fans because THEY'RE YOUR FANS??

I could understand if it was a signing tied into Anamoly and they made you buy a copy to get into the signing (most book signings are like this), but man, that's kinda bunk.


A couple years ago David Byrne (of Talking Heads) did an in-store at Grimey's here in Nashville. No charge, no purchase...didn't even have a new album out at the time (he was touring ahead of the release of his collaboration w/Brian Eno), just wanted to do something for fans and support the shop. We're waiting outside the store in line, and David just rolls up on his bike, no managers, no entourage, nothing, and hangs out, takes pictures, signs stuff (Talking Heads or otherwise). That's how it should be done.

[No Surprize]

It was "over the top" in many ways so to speak. This was the first time in my life that I have done this for several reasons, one of them was that I was off work

that weekend, It was a reasonable driving distance, and he was my childhood "Guitar hero". What would of made it better was if I had a least 15 minutes of talk

time with him, just 15, lol. I knew, that would never happen, unless I paid a grand for it. He certainly was, is, still a "Rock Star". I have to agree with what you

said about David Byrne. Then again, thats how he's always been. I am a big fan of the Talking Heads by the way!

[Floater]

That is disgusting. I personally had the same type of encounter with Frank Zappa thirty years ago, and he would have signed anything without charge.

[mrsromek]

Having a lawyer there is the dumbest thing I have heard of, and I have paid for 100's of autographs at conventions (mostly sports). You paid his $40 fee. He could have done tier pricing for other items, like athletes do. At least he has a decent looking autograph.

[RockInDetroit]

I'll make it a point to never go out of my way to meet Ace Frehley. And I thought about it, but not now. Ace must be real bad off financially. I would be embarrassed if I were Ace.

If he was in town anyways for a concert or something then there would really be no need to charge, but if they flew him in just for this appearance than that costs money. That being said, I have been to many of these type of signings. I am sure the hotel and airplane tickets costs the same for Ace as it does for the "lesser" people. So pricings are set by the artist. There is no reason why Ace charges $75 for a photo. People don't sell photos. The fact that you had to go thru two doors to even see him was ridiculous.

Doesn't sound like Ace has ever signed a FREE autograph.

[AR]

I met Ace years ago and had a much better experience.



Didn't have to pay, and got 5 things signed.