KISS and rock stars honor Ace Frehley at Land-Locked In Vegas tribute

Members of KISS, Fozzy, Night Ranger, Keel and Faster Pussycat joined forces to celebrate the late Ace Frehley at the 2026 “KISS Kruise: Land-Locked In Vegas” event. The all-star tribute took place on Saturday, November 14, at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

KISS musicians Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer participated in the evening, which featured stories about Frehley’s career followed by an 11-song performance of classics associated with the guitarist.

An all-star tribute to Ace Frehley

Stanley and Simmons opened the tribute by sharing memories of their former bandmate. Frehley’s touring musicians then took the stage: bassist and vocalist Ryan Spencer Cook, guitarist Jeremy Asbrock, drummer Christopher Williams and guitarist Philip Shouse.

The group was joined by a rotating selection of guests, including Chris Jericho of Fozzy, Kelly Keagy and Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ron Keel of Keel, and Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat. Former and current KISS musicians also appeared throughout the set.

The songs spanned Frehley’s work with KISS and his solo career, giving different generations of collaborators an opportunity to revisit music closely associated with his guitar playing and distinctive voice.

Full Ace Frehley tribute setlist

1. “Shock Me” — with Paul Stanley
2. “Talk To Me”
3. “Rip It Out” — with Chris Jericho and Kelly Keagy
4. “Parasite” — with Bruce Kulick and Ron Keel
5. “Rocket Ride” — with Eric Singer, Jack Blades and Brad Gillis
6. “Hard Times” — with Tod Howarth and Marc Ferrari
7. “Speedin’ Back To My Baby” — with Taime Downe
8. “Strange Ways” — with Eric Singer and Kerri Kelli
9. “She” — with Tommy Thayer
10. “Cold Gin” — with Gene Simmons and Brent Woods
11. “New York Groove” — with a large group of the evening’s guest musicians

The final performance brought numerous participants together for “New York Groove”, a song that became one of Frehley’s signature solo hits. Fan-filmed footage of the tribute has been shared online.

Remembering the original Spaceman

Ace Frehley died in October 2025 at the age of 74 following injuries sustained in a fall. The guitarist was a founding member of KISS and helped establish the band’s visual identity and sound during its formative years.

His work appeared on the band’s classic 1970s recordings, and he later built a solo career that included the 1978 album “Ace Frehley”. His guitar playing influenced countless musicians in hard rock and heavy metal.

The Las Vegas performance served as both a musical celebration and a personal remembrance. By bringing together Frehley’s former bandmates, touring musicians and admirers, the event highlighted the breadth of his legacy.

The tribute was part of the second “KISS Kruise: Land-Locked In Vegas” gathering, which brought fans and musicians together for several days of performances and special events.