Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley recently announced the release of Origins Vol. 1, a collection of 12 newly recorded classics from Ace’s formative years featuring some of the biggest names in rock and roll, on April 15th. In a new interview with Las Vegas Magazine, Ace discusses the new album, working with KISS frontman Paul Stanley, and the music industry in general.

Asked if the shift in the music industry toward musicians making most of their living through live performing has been good for him, Ace replies: “I’m such an established star that I don’t pay too much attention to what’s happening in the music business. I’ve always done what I do. I’ve always had my audience. KISS fans and Ace fans are very loyal. I don’t pay too much attention to what’s going on in the music business. I know it’s in an upheaval. People aren’t buying CDs like they used to, and records, because of the Internet downloading. Everything balances out eventually.”

Read the full Q&A at Las Vegas Magazine.

On the new album, KISS frontman Paul Stanley joins Ace on Free's hit "Fire And Water”. This collaboration marks the first time that Ace and Paul appear on the same studio recording since KISS' 1998 reunion album Psycho Circus.

Ace spoke with Rolling Stone about the new record, his guest players and recording with Paul after all these years. Regarding his reunion with Stanley, Frehley shrugs off any residual tension between the two of them. "We've always been friends," he says. "The press seems to amplify negativity. I guess it makes good copy."

"White Room”, the classic hit originally performed by Cream, is streaming below. Other guests are none other than Slash trading leads on Thin Lizzy's classic "Emerald”, Lita Ford singing and playing lead on The Troggs staple "Wild Thing”, Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 playing guitar alongside Ace as he sings his classic KISS composition "Parasite" for the very first time, as well as Jimi Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic”, and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready also plays guitar with Ace as he finally sings his KISS Alive! mainstay "Cold Gin”. "White Room" is also an iTunes instant gratification track, meaning fans who pre-order the LP on iTunes will receive the Cream cover song instantly.

Tracklisting:

"White Room" (Cream)
"Street Fighting Man" (Rolling Stones)
"Spanish Castle Magic" feat. John 5 (Jimi Hendrix)
"Fire And Water" feat. Paul Stanley (Free)
"Emerald" feat. Slash (Thin Lizzy)
"Bring It On Home" (Led Zeppelin)
"Wild Thing" feat. Lita Ford (The Troggs)
"Parasite" feat. John 5 (KISS)
"Magic Carpet Ride" (Steppenwolf)
"Cold Gin" feat. Mike McCready (KISS)
"Till The End Of The Day" (Kinks)
"Rock and Roll Hell" (KISS)

"White Room”:

Pre-order physically via the Amazon widget below. Pre-order digitally here.

 

 

Ace is currently on three weeks worth of tour dates in the US, including two nights at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City. Ace is joined on the road by Richie Scarlet (rhythm, guitar and vocal duties), Chris Wyse on bass and vocals (The Cult), Scott Coogan on drums (Nikki Sixx’s Brides of Destruction).

Tour dates:

March
4 - San Miguel, CA - The Ranch
5 - Beverly Hills, CA - Saban Theatre
6 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl - Las Vegas

April
1 - Ponte Vedra, FL - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
2 - Clearwater, FL - Capitol Theatre
3 - Sunrise, FL - Markham Park - Rockfest 80's
5 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
7 - Danville, VA - Carrington Pavilion
9 - New Hope, PA - Havana New Hope
11 - New York, NY - BB King's Blues Club
12 - New York, NY - BB King's Blues Club
13 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
15 - Wilkes Barre, PA - The F.M. Kirby Center
16 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance

Click here for all ticket info. Additional dates to be announced.