For John 5, there’s one aspect of guitar playing that no one can do exactly like the original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, reports Greg Prato for Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Today’s guitar players and rock fans owe a lot to KISS and Ace. Be it direct or indirect influence, their music and game-changing performances inspired people on both sides of the pond. If it weren’t for KISS, rock and metal shows wouldn’t have become what they are today, and some of the finest modern guitar players likely wouldn’t have been inspired to embark on their musical journey. Now playing guitar for Mötley Crüe, John 5 is one of them. In fact, he’s so much into KISS that he has his own KISS-themed Knights In Satan’s Service Museum, which will be open to the public this May.
As part of the event’s promotion, we sat down with John 5 to chat about the band that got him into rock music and all things guitar-related. Among other things, John highlighted Ace Frehley’s unique approach.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Who is your favorite KISS guitarist, and why?
John 5: “Well, I mean, I love Ace, of course. It’s just when you’re little and you see something, it could be a sports figure, it could be a race car driver or a hockey player, baseball or basketball. But mine was KISS, and that’s what inspired me to do what I’m doing today.
“And I’m glad because I think inspiration is one of the most important things in the world. Because it stays with you forever, and it can change your life forever, as well.”
Find out what John 5 thinks no one does better than Ace at Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Before he ever became a guitar virtuoso and toured the world with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Rob Halford and – currently – Mötley Crüe, John 5 was just a kid growing up near Detroit Rock City obsessed with KISS. That fascination turned into a lifelong journey of collecting anything and everything from the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman and the Catman.
In May 2025, John 5 will open up his personal collection for the first time ever to fellow KISS fans around the world with his brand-new Knights In Satan Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia in Los Angeles, California. Guided tours will be open to the public for one month only (with a possible expansion). Current dates available are May 5-9, May 12-16, May 19-23 and May 27-30. Each will be led by John 5 himself who will provide tons of rich detail and answer any questions.
Tickets are on sale now at John5Store.com.
“In June 1977, when I was 7-years-old, my mom took me to Sears where I saw a record store display for KISS’ album Love Gun. I loved monsters and music and begged my mom for the record. Hearing it for the first time was a total epiphany for me. And any time a birthday or Christmas rolled around, I got a new KISS poster or merch. Collecting became a huge part of my life. It’s also helped me connect with the world as I’ve found pieces from Argentina to Chile, Taiwan to Japan,” explains John 5. The idea began when he started archiving everything on Instagram but knew it was time to expand. “With KISS not touring anymore, the only real place to see this collection and go down memory lane is to come to the museum in Los Angeles. Hang out with me, I’ll answer questions, we’ll talk and I’ll tell stories.”
John 5’s collection spans 2,500-plus pieces encompassing unique merch and one-of-a-kind collectibles from the gilded era of KISS, 1973-1983, including one of the only known pairs of Gene Simmons’ Destroyer Boots from 1976 and his first outfit from 1974 as well as banners from the band’s appearance at Woodfield Mall, outside Chicago, in 1974 for the “National KISS-Off” kissing contest.
“If it was me and someone had this I would love it,” says John 5.
See a preview of the Knights In Satan Service Museum collection below:
John 5 recently wrapped up a massive 2024 tour with several legs of solo dates and international appearances with Mötley Crüe. Look for more to come in 2025.
(Photo – Jen Rosenstein)
The post JOHN 5 Names One Thing No One Does Better Than ACE FREHLEY appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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Today’s guitar players and rock fans owe a lot to KISS and Ace. Be it direct or indirect influence, their music and game-changing performances inspired people on both sides of the pond. If it weren’t for KISS, rock and metal shows wouldn’t have become what they are today, and some of the finest modern guitar players likely wouldn’t have been inspired to embark on their musical journey. Now playing guitar for Mötley Crüe, John 5 is one of them. In fact, he’s so much into KISS that he has his own KISS-themed Knights In Satan’s Service Museum, which will be open to the public this May.
As part of the event’s promotion, we sat down with John 5 to chat about the band that got him into rock music and all things guitar-related. Among other things, John highlighted Ace Frehley’s unique approach.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Who is your favorite KISS guitarist, and why?
John 5: “Well, I mean, I love Ace, of course. It’s just when you’re little and you see something, it could be a sports figure, it could be a race car driver or a hockey player, baseball or basketball. But mine was KISS, and that’s what inspired me to do what I’m doing today.
“And I’m glad because I think inspiration is one of the most important things in the world. Because it stays with you forever, and it can change your life forever, as well.”
Find out what John 5 thinks no one does better than Ace at Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Before he ever became a guitar virtuoso and toured the world with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Rob Halford and – currently – Mötley Crüe, John 5 was just a kid growing up near Detroit Rock City obsessed with KISS. That fascination turned into a lifelong journey of collecting anything and everything from the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman and the Catman.
In May 2025, John 5 will open up his personal collection for the first time ever to fellow KISS fans around the world with his brand-new Knights In Satan Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia in Los Angeles, California. Guided tours will be open to the public for one month only (with a possible expansion). Current dates available are May 5-9, May 12-16, May 19-23 and May 27-30. Each will be led by John 5 himself who will provide tons of rich detail and answer any questions.
Tickets are on sale now at John5Store.com.
“In June 1977, when I was 7-years-old, my mom took me to Sears where I saw a record store display for KISS’ album Love Gun. I loved monsters and music and begged my mom for the record. Hearing it for the first time was a total epiphany for me. And any time a birthday or Christmas rolled around, I got a new KISS poster or merch. Collecting became a huge part of my life. It’s also helped me connect with the world as I’ve found pieces from Argentina to Chile, Taiwan to Japan,” explains John 5. The idea began when he started archiving everything on Instagram but knew it was time to expand. “With KISS not touring anymore, the only real place to see this collection and go down memory lane is to come to the museum in Los Angeles. Hang out with me, I’ll answer questions, we’ll talk and I’ll tell stories.”
John 5’s collection spans 2,500-plus pieces encompassing unique merch and one-of-a-kind collectibles from the gilded era of KISS, 1973-1983, including one of the only known pairs of Gene Simmons’ Destroyer Boots from 1976 and his first outfit from 1974 as well as banners from the band’s appearance at Woodfield Mall, outside Chicago, in 1974 for the “National KISS-Off” kissing contest.
“If it was me and someone had this I would love it,” says John 5.
See a preview of the Knights In Satan Service Museum collection below:
John 5 recently wrapped up a massive 2024 tour with several legs of solo dates and international appearances with Mötley Crüe. Look for more to come in 2025.
(Photo – Jen Rosenstein)
The post JOHN 5 Names One Thing No One Does Better Than ACE FREHLEY appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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