In a statement published on Pearl Jam’s networks, McCready recalled Frehley’s influence on him also becoming a guitarist.
Known as guitarist for the North American rock band Pearl Jam, Mike McCready wrote a moving text about Ace Frehleylegendary guitarist of Kiss who died this Thursday, 16, at the age of 74.
In a post made on the social networks of the Pearl Jam, McCready recalled the impact that Kiss had in his life: he became a fan of the hard rock band through Rick Frielthen a school friend, who took a group-themed lunch box.
Furthermore, the guitarist recalled that he and his friends played “C’mon and Love Me“, 1975 song by Kiss present on the disk Dressed to Kill (the third in the group’s discography). Ace was described, literally, as a “hero” in the statement.
Including the member of the Pearl Jam revealed that “Alive” had the solo of “She” used as a model during the composition of the track.
Read the full text below:
I learned about Ace Frehley’s death from Rick Friel, who I played with in a band called Shadow. Rick was also the first guy, back in 1977, to get on the bus with a KISS lunch box to tell me about Ace… that just changed my life. In 1978, I bought a guitar to join Rick’s band, Warrior, which later became Shadow. We played a version of ‘C’mon and Love Me’.
All of my friends spent countless hours talking about KISS and buying KISS stuff. Ace was a hero to me—and I considered him a friend, too. I have studied his solos tirelessly over the years…
Just listen to ‘Alive’: I used the solo from ‘She’ as a model. Ace played ‘Black Diamond’ with Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden… it was a dream come true for me.
I wouldn’t have picked up a guitar if it weren’t for the influence of Ace and KISS.
Rest in peace, Ace — you changed my life.
Thanks.
Ace Frehley, Eddie, Me in awe…
📸: Danny ClinchI heard about Ace Frehley’s passing from Rick Friel who I played with in a band called Shadow. Rick was also the first guy on the bus in 1977 with a KISS lunchbox to tell me about Ace…just changed my life. I got a guitar in 1978… pic.twitter.com/0oULzn0A5H
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) October 16, 2025
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Ace Frehley
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kiss
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mike mccready
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pearl jam
Source: Rollingstone
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