Original KISS members Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley reunited for the first time in 16 years when the guitarist joined his former bandmate for four songs at The Children Matter Benefit Concert at CHS Field Stadium in St. Paul, MN on September 20 in support of victims of Hurricane Harvey, and video from the event is streaming onlkine.
"Before you were born – there he is – 1973, in New York City, this guy and I and two other guys put together a band we never saw onstage – let's hear it for Ace Frehley," Simmons told the crowd as he welcomed the rocker to the stage. "He still looks great, goddamn it, doesn't he?" as Frehley began the intro to "Parasite," from KISS’ second album, 1974’s “Hotter Than Hell.”
Alongside Simmons solo touring lineup, the pair then delivered "Cold Gin" from the band's self-titled 1974 debut and "Shock Me" from 1977's “Love Gun”, before inviting dozens of fans on stage for the finale of KISS’ signature song, “Rock And Roll All Nite.”
The Children Matter is a collaborative initiative created by Simmons and the nonprofit Matter on the simple belief that the lives of children matter. Regardless of race, income, gender, religion, or location every child deserves the same access to a full and healthy life.
Right now, there are over 10,000 children and families in Houston, TX still living in shelters, displaced from their homes and in need of food and basic daily necessities immediately.
In partnership with their on-ground Houston partners, Matter is sending and distributing Matterbox Meals Kits, sanitation supplies, contamination prevention supplies, and more.
Alongside the Gene Simmons Band and Frehley, The Children Matter Benefit Concert also featured performances by Don Felder, Cheap Trick, The Jayhawks, and Flipp.
To learn more about the charity and how you can help, visit thechildrenmatter.ngo
Simmons and Frehley recently regrouped for a songwriting session for the follow-up to the guitarist’s 2016 all-star covers album, “Origins Vol. 1.”
See also:
VIDEO: Ace Frehley reunites with Frehley’s Comet members
Partial KISS reunion set for Hurricane Harvey benefit concert
AUDIO: Ace Frehley streams unreleased track from Anomaly expanded reissue
KISS: Ace Frehley comments on writing new music with Gene Simmons
Search KISS at hennemusic
