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Ace Frehley: "I wrote 'Cold Gin' in a New York subway, in my head, both lyrics and music. I had a spiral notebook with me. I never took a guitar lesson, nobody believes that. I didn't realize it was gonna become a KISS classic."
Gene Simmons: "Ace brought in 'Cold Gin'. When we first heard it I remember being struck by that great opening guitar riff, which was the basis of the song. The problem we had with it was that after the verse and chorus, it didn't seem to go anywhere. It was an unfinished idea. I suggested a section in the middle of the song that became the riff part of the song. It changed the song from an 'A' voicing to a riff section in the key of 'G' and kept ascending up the scale until it finally wound up in an 'E'. Paul suggested a couple of arrangement modifications in the song, and presto, 'Cold Gin', the complete song. I insisted that Ace should sing the song, but he refused and said that he preferred I sing it. The original version of the song as recorded on the first KISS demo, changed very slightly through the years and was to remain a staple of our live concerts to this day." (thanks, Ken - LaSalle, Canada)
The irony of this song is that Gene Simmons, who sings it, doesn't drink and has never done drugs. Simmons claims that his only addiction is to sex, and that he's slept with over 4,000 women. (thanks, sid - bryson city, NC)
This song was played at the funeral of the late guitarist (Dimebag) Darrell Abbott, as Kiss and Ace Frehley were his favorite band and guitarist. (thanks, Randy - Colerain Twp., OH)
More songs by Kiss
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Comments:
Some of the best riffage from ACE. I remember reading an interview (circa 1978) where Ace says that he used to deliver for a liquor store (talk about putting the fox in charge of the henhouse), and would often bring a bottle of something cheap (usually gin) to rehearsal to warm them up since the Bleecher Street loft that they practiced in was always cold. Hence the song's title and quasi-reality lyrics.
- Gregg, Raceland, KY
Ace did sing a verse of this song when I had seen KISS perform it in 2000. I had read many years ago that Ace did not like doing the vocals to songs that he had written because he was actually 'mic' shy.
- Randy, Colerain Twp., OH
Man I just found out KISS did this song. Ive heard this song for years and didn't know who it was. I have a new appreciation for KISS hahahaha Kick a** song !
- Mike, Hueytown , AL
Actually, Ace has taken this song out on the road with him on his solo tours! He sings it rather well! Mike C FROM POTTSTOWN PA
As covered (extremely well) by Pantera
- Luke, Manchester, England
The KISS video game, "Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child" features billboards throughout the game environment for a "Cold Gin" beverage.
- john, seattle, WA