It’s been a tough week in music. D’Angelo, Ace Frehley and Sam Rivers are gone. Tough indeed. With my history in rock radio, I’m going to touch on the death of the iconic Spaceman, Ace Frehley.
I have been an on air personality for more than half my life. I’ve reported more rock deaths than I want to remember. Freddie Mercury, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Gregg Allman, Chris Cornell, Eddie Van Halen, Bowie, and Ozzy just to name a few.
The days of putting fans on the air, giving an open forum for grief, memories, and the nostalgia and joy it brings has always been an important part of the on air experience. But the job description has changed significantly.
The Loss of Ace Frehley
This week we suddenly lost Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley at age 74 after a fall at his New Jersey home. Ace was still actively touring, fun to follow on social media-grocery shopping, playing his guitars (shout out to Perry who followed him around and had a blast doing it), and released a fantastic solo album in 2024: 10,000 Volts. He was also being honored with his former Kiss bandmates as part of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors.
The news of his death shocked fans. When it became public late Thursday afternoon, fans worldwide started their tributes, me included. I had a connection with Ace over the years (especially in the past two years). He joined on the air and last year hosted an episode of the “Home Shopping” style internet show – “Talk Shop Live”- which we filmed live from Ace’s New Jersey home. He was always fun to work with and kept me on my toes. For a Kiss kid and rock fan like me, this is a huge loss.
Ace was a character. He made for great radio because he was highly unpredictable and such a kind soul. He was also still passionate about making music with his producer and good friend Steve Brown (another Jersey guy from the band Trixter). He’d open his home to us for filming, making sure I took any guitar off the wall I wanted (I chose a 1978 classic and a few others). He even gave me his Kiss gold and platinum records to ‘hold” which was so much fun.
Ace was a man of the people. Conventions, tours, meet and greets and fans, he was out there, always accessible. A member of one of the most iconic pop culture bands of all time, he inspired so many guitarists to pick up the instrument and changed their lives and the course of music. It seems every rock fan has an “Ace” story.
When an iconic rocker that has been a part of our lives for 50 years dies, where is radio? It’s supposed to be the ultimate community. The first social media. It’s supposed to comfort and connect. Unfortunately waiting in the wings, most of the time not until “later”.
The Passing of Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit
Let’s also reflect on the shocking death of Limp Bizkit bassist, Sam Rivers. He was an amazing bass player and with the bands recent comeback, certainly top of mind with fans. The news of his passing was shared by Limp Bizkit through their Instagram account. They wrote “he was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory.”
Again, the non-stop tributes began to pour in. On social media. I immediately started scanning the dial and looking through my phone but found nothing. Where was the music? The mentions? The memories?
I’ve mentioned this issue to countless friends in the industry and the feeling seems to be that it’s not really important these days. I’ve been told, “people don’t get their news from the radio anymore”.
Really? I beg to differ.
Radio personalities have been guiding fans through grief, loss and the past forever. People need human connection more than ever. Radio staffs have gotten smaller, but listeners don’t know that. It’s our job to still inform especially during moments like these.
You may not be Live but you can be Local. Remember these phrases, “Live and Local”, “Timely and Topical”? They used to rule the radio airwaves but barely exist anymore.
Radio stations today are not stocked with talent ready to jump on the air live at a moments notice with “breaking news”. As a former PD, I know the harsh reality. I also know if you have no “death plan”, you better get one and fast.
Not only are aging icons disappearing, but let’s face it, artist deaths or breaking news can appear at any time. We just saw that this weekend with Sam Rivers. Earthquakes and major floods happen at a moments notice too (more common now in NJ – who knew?). When they happen, you have to be ready.
“DON’T LOOK DUMB!” – “Take Control and Do Something”.
What Can You Do?
Life Events will not go away. My social media feeds are still flooded with photos, tributes and memories to Ace. Not only from fans, but from artists in every age bracket, musical genre, and demographic. And now Sam Rivers too.
Rock radio fans care: In your demo, and in your format. These are your people. Here’s how you help them.
#1 – Designate a Go-To Gal/Guy – It’s tiring hearing “there is no one in the building and shows are pre-recorded”. Most staff have some sort of “home device” they can log into. Designate your “go to guy/gal” well in advance, and let them know to be ready. Within the hour, switch shifts, and get it done. Break the news, gather the fan community and stay relevant. Update your voice tracks.
#2 – Write The Web Story – Have one of your top talent or the PD take over your website and write something from “their” point of view. The last time they saw this artist. Why this band is their favorite. Here is an interview I did way back when. Check out this video I found on our YouTube.
The website needs to reflect the on air talent the listeners depend on. Not some strange author. Generic stories don’t cut it when music is involved. Music touches us. It needs a personal connection.
#3 – Social Media Posts – Have your jock who does the immediate posting ask the fans about their favorite show. Best memories? Do the fans have a photo with the artist? Have them send it in. Ask your jock to make a video and post it announcing the artist’s death.
Update your socials immediately, and stay on them with your fans. Designate the people who engage the best and start engaging!
Be There For Your Listeners During Tough Times
Radio jobs come with responsibility. In the technological world we live in, it’s not hard or incredibly time consuming to be there for your fans. Don’t let social media kick your butt. You control the narrative. Throwing in an occasional song doesn’t cut it when it comes to connection. People make the difference.
We are losing artists and it will unfortunately continue. A part of our lives, our musical journey. our Rock and Roll DNA. When the next situation happens, will you be ready?
This quote given to me from Ace’s final solo album producer, collaborator and friend Steve Brown the day of Ace’s death sums up the Spaceman best.
“Ace Frehley was my first guitar hero in 1978. He was the reason I started playing guitar. Kiss and Ace were a huge part of my musical journey. There would be no Trixter without his influence.
“Later on in life I became good friends with Ace and had the please of working with him on his last ever album 10,000 Volts. Writing songs and producing with Ace was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We had so much fun creating music together, but most of all being two east coast guys who loved their families and friends and we had so much fun cracking jokes!
“One of my favorite memories was when Ace joined my family for father’s day with his girlfriend Lara. He was a part of our family. A great guy, with a lot of love in his heart. Ace will be missed by the world, but thank god his musical legacy will live on, forever. God bless Paul “Ace” Frehley.”
Rest Easy Spaceman. Thank you for the great memories, for supporting radio, and for touring longer than you should have. Godspeed to Sam Rivers too, gone way too soon at the age of 48.
Fans care when people like Ace and Sam leave their lives. Radio, the ultimate social media community should care and show it as well.
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Wonderful article, Terrie. When people think of Kiss the first member comes to mind is Gene. He is larger than life, I get it. And Paul, the sexy rock star. But dig deeper and we realize how much Ace contributed to the band, and Peter as well. They all 4 played such an important part of KISS, and I for one feel it hasn’t been the same since Ace and Peter left🙁And speaking of radio, I’m old enough to remember WABC hey days and adored all the jocks. WNEW was a one of a kind station. My faves being Scott, Carol, and most favorites Jim and Ken Dashow. You, my dear girl, are missed terribly😢🎶🎙️📻