It was “Florida Cold” in Dania Beach on Saturday, with temperatures dropping below 75° Fahrenheit [24°C], sending most to reach for their jackets. In sunny South Florida, we don’t really do cold. It was only fitting, then, that a rock ‘n’ roll legend should fire up the masses and embrace what our state does best: heat. Original KISS member and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ace Frehley did just that on his most recent stop of the 10,000 Volts tour.
Ace Frehley
Stage 954 The Casino, Dania Beach, Florida – 22 February 2025
Words and Photography: Rayna Leigh
Though Stage 954 is not the largest venue the area has to offer, capping its capacity at 999, the KISS Army showed up in full force. Most of the folding seats and bleachers were filled shoulder-to-shoulder with a sea of KISS and Ace shirts, and a good number lingered in the aisles like an impromptu general admission pit.
The crowd held fans from across the state, some driving upward of four hours for the show. Many are regulars, faces that have seen KISS-related shows since the earliest days of the band, and a number of phones were passed around to show off people’s storied history with the band.
In some way, every fan lays claim to a piece of the band’s legacy, from an ‘I was there’ to tales of extreme devotion to half-memories that one could’ve only gotten away with in the ’70s. One fan told me of his wedding in the Las Vegas KISS-themed chapel.
Just after 8 p.m., the lights dimmed, but the energy of the crowd immediately rose. As history (or rather, KISStory) tells, Frehley was electrocuted in December 1976 in Lakeland, Florida, after his guitar touched an ungrounded metal staircase. From the incident, his ‘theme song’ would be born: Shock Me.
It was appropriate, then, to kickstart the show with the song, given its monumental status and its relation to the state. A slight technical offset in the opening track put a momentary pause on the proceedings, but to the delight of the crowd, it meant that we got to hear the iconic Ace theme twice over with a huge boost in power on the second round.
After tearing through early hit Deuce, the band played a track from Frehley’s most recent album, 10,000 Volts, which celebrates its first anniversary this weekend. Though the title track was taken out of the setlist, they played the third single from the record, Cherry Medicine, which complemented Ace’s cherry graphic tee.
“Who doesn’t like a girl in black leather?”
Frehley was all smiles and jokes and was truly interactive with the crowd. He humorously misread “Diana Beach.” His big personality, though polarizing to some, is part of what makes the show a thrill. You never know what he might say. 
Talk of being shot into space to play Rocket Ride was one of the more absurd song introductions, though it generally brought laughs. But it would not be an Ace Frehley show if there was not at least one comment aimed at his former bandmates. This time, a brief shot at KISS frontman Paul Stanley and the use of backing tracks.
The setlist is something of a greatest hits, a non-stop 15-song celebration of all things Ace Frehley. The anthem Rock Soldiers by solo project Frehley’s Comet was a treat to the superfans, who chanted along with the rolling beat as enthusiastic soldiers of the Ace Army.
When the iconic flashing Gibson guitar made an appearance onstage for New York Groove, the near-thousand in the crowd filled every inch of space singing “I’m back, back in the New York Groove” back to the band.
Though all songs have Frehley’s touch, each member of the band has time in the spotlight, showcasing the depth of talent across the stage. Drummer Scoty Coogan not only beats the skins with a wild smile, but he has pipes that could be felt in the back bleachers as he took on lead vocals for Love Gun.
Bassist Ryan Spencer Cook had pure frontman energy throughout the night but took centre stage to rouse the crowd with a trip to Detroit Rock City, and lead guitarist Jeremy Asbrock took a share of vocals on a number of songs but was front and centre for the Blues Jam.
Frehley’s guitar solo, a blend of notable hit riffs including Deep Purple, The Beatles and Cream, held the audience’s attention from start to end. Though the audience was rightfully raucous throughout the show, the quiet that fell in the room to hear every note of the solo was impressive in itself.
The solo is not a shred session but a homage to monumental rock influences that have inspired generations, including Ace himself. It’s true to himself and his style of playing, which is all it has to be. After 50 years, fans are there for the satisfaction of what they know and love him for.
An Ace Frehley show is not just a tribute to his contributions in KISS, nor is it a reproduction of a classic KISS concert. You will not find the traditional choreography or pyrotechnics, though he does still leave a crowd in awe of his famous smoking guitar solo. But this is a feat we sadly do not see tonight due to venue regulations, but I can attest to it from previous shows.
There is no imitation of Paul Stanley’s crowd work or Gene’s stunts. Ace’s band does not need the frills. The band’s chemistry onstage is something of its own: Guitar picks flew left, right and centre throughout the show. I’m guessing about 100 picks must have ended up in the crowd by the encore. The high-spirited camaraderie was palpable.
In much the same way as the KISS Army itself has always lived, Ace Frehley’s show is multifaceted. It is for the love of the music, but just as much for the love of each other and the shared experience.
Awesome article and shots! Ace rocked here in Florida!