Justin Hawkins recently commented on his experience performing at corporate events alongside legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. He shared his perspective on the collaboration in an interview featured on Justin Hawkins Rides Again.
Hawkins reflected on a memorable corporate performance where he and Frehley sang “I Want to Rock and Roll All Night” together. Frehley didn’t initially remember their previous collaboration. He emphasized that accepting payment for such appearances should not be viewed negatively.
“The thing that made me laugh was he didn’t remember me from when he and I played together,” Hawkins said. “Once again it was a corporate event and I sang ‘I Want to Rock and Roll All Night.’ That is a great song. I think that was produced by Bob Ezrin as well. He did a lot of the iconic KISS records in the 70s and beyond.”
Hawkins went on to defend the decision to perform at corporate events for substantial fees. He framed it as an opportunity rather than a compromise of artistic integrity.
“So I sang that one with Ace Frehley at and I’m not ashamed to say this and I’m sure Ace wouldn’t be ashamed to say it either. It was true that we performed at a corporate event. Now, just because it’s a corporation paying a huge amount of money for a bloke out of The Darkness and the guy out of KISS to sing a KISS song for money to some people who were disinterested at the very most. That doesn’t make us bad people or cynical or mercenary,” he stated.
“It was just a great for me. I saw it as a great opportunity to share my love of that particular KISS record. And also to sing for Ace.”
Hawkins’ comments come at an interesting time in his relationship with Frehley. The two musicians have had a complex history in recent years, marked by both tension and reconciliation. Their professional paths have intersected multiple times within the rock music circuit, providing context for Hawkins’ reflections on their corporate event collaboration.
Ace Frehley has admitted that he and Hawkins have reconciled and are now friends, despite previous public friction between the two rock musicians. This information comes from American Songwriter. This reconciliation underscores the genuine camaraderie that Hawkins describes in his recent comments about their performance together.
The Monsters of Rock Cruise in 2024 sparked earlier tension between the two. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Hawkins publicly criticized Frehley onstage during the event. The criticism apparently stemmed from frustration over scheduling issues that impacted The Darkness’s set time. However, the two have since moved past this conflict, demonstrating the professional maturity both artists bring to their careers.
Ace Frehley remains active in the music industry despite his legendary status. Lyndsanity noted that Frehley has been releasing new music and performing regularly. His 2024 album 10,000 Volts keeps him engaged with both longtime fans and new audiences. Justin Hawkins remains active with The Darkness and continues his solo project “Justin Hawkins Rides Again,” maintaining a robust presence in the rock music landscape.
