Ace Frehley Recalls 'Surreal' Jimi Hendrix Experience

(Classic Rock) Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley recalled the "surreal" time he snuck backstage at a Jimi Hendrix show on Randall's Island in New York when he was in high school.

After being caught out by a road crew member, Frehley was then asked to help them set up - and admits that he even spoke to drummer Mitch Mitchell without realizing it was him because he had changed his look.

He tells KFM-BFM: "There was a peace concert at Randall's Island, which is right next to Manhattan island in New York City. I was watching people walk in and out. I was watching the bands walk out to see other bands, and then I watched them walk back, and they'd just walked up with their head high and looked like they were somebody.

"So I just kind of walked in with this presence, like I was in one of the bands, and the security guy just figured I was in one of the bands. So I'm back there about 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and people were starting to say, 'Who is this f***ing guy?'

"Finally, one of the road guys came up and said, 'Are you in one of the bands?' I said, 'No. I snuck back here.' He said, 'Well, can you do anything?' I said, 'Yeah.'

"Next thing you know, I'm setting up Mitch Mitchell's drums. It was crazy." Frehley continues: "And then Mitch Mitchell walks over - but he he had changed his look. Because originally he started off with the afro, like Noel Redding and Jimi, and then he changed his image - he got the beard and he got the headband.

"So when he initially walked over to check out the drums prior to the show, I didn't realize it was Mitch. And here I am walking around in high school with Jimi Hendrix's first album under my arm every day, and next thing you know, I'm talking to Mitch Mitchell and I didn't realize it was Mitch Mitchell. Read more and watch the full interview video clip here.

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Copyright Classic Rock Magazine- Excerpted here with permission.

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