WCSX Classic Cuts : Cold Gin
WCSX Classic Cuts
KISS: “Cold Gin”
The Hook: Ace wrote it and still plays it at his own shows, even though he doesn’t relate to it like he used to.
Album: KISS
Year: 1974
Writer: Ace Frehley
Stats: Never released as a single, it was a live standout while Ace was in the band and still gets Classic Rock radio airplay.
Background: Lead guitarist Ace Frehley got a solo songwriter’s credit for the KISS classic “Cold Gin,” from their self-titled debut. It’s the only solo credit he received on that album, but he tells us that he did actually have some help with it from one of his bandmates.
Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley on “Cold Gin.” OC:..my heart [Laughs]. :26
“That was a song in those days that was dear to my heart. [Laughs] I had come up with that riff. I didn’t give Gene writing credit on that, but he actually came up with the bridge breakdown section – he came up with those riffs on bass. That’s a great song to play live, ‘cause that’s just a catchy riff. It’s easy to play. I mean, it’s a little weird singing about cold gin because I been sober now for eight years, but it’s such a crowd-pleaser I just gotta ignore that. [Laughs]”
