Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist of Kiss, recently reflected on his remarkable career and shared that his notorious ?Shock Me? incident wasn’t an isolated case of onstage injuries. His journey as an artist is filled with perilous moments that shaped both his music and persona.

The iconic guitarist penned the electrifying 1977 single “Shock Me” after a harrowing experience where he was electrocuted during a live performance. This terrifying incident occurred when he accidentally touched an uninsulated metal rail on a stairway prop, which highlighted the dangers of performing live.

In a candid interview with MusicRadar, Frehley shared, ?I should have been dead that night. The fact that I got electrocuted and didn?t fall forward was a godsend. There must have been angels pushing me back.? His near-death experience showcases the perils that rock musicians often face while delivering high-octane performances.

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Recalling the incident, he described how he was precariously perched on top of four Marshall cabinets while wearing a heavy Les Paul guitar around his neck. ?If I fell forward, I would have broken my fucking neck,? he remarked. Fortunately, he fell backward and was rescued by the road crew, who dragged him off the staircase. Remarkably, he continued to finish the show despite losing feeling in his hands for several minutes. ?It was crazy shit, man, but I did get ‘Shock Me’ out of it. So, I guess it wasn?t all for nothing,? he concluded, emphasizing the strange twist of fate that turned a near-tragedy into a classic song.

Frehley also recounted a time when his famous rocket-launching guitar caused him serious injury. ?I burned my leg real bad once. ? A smoke bomb ignited too early inside the cavity of the guitar, and it melted the asbestos ? which our fucking costumes were made from ? to my thigh.? This incident illustrates the chaotic nature of his performances and the risks involved in using pyrotechnics on stage.

He further admitted to a near-miss when he ?fired one of those rockets at Gene [Simmons], and it almost fucking hit him! It flew right by his head. It would have burned him pretty bad.? Such anecdotes reveal the unpredictable and dangerous elements of live rock performances that can lead to unforeseen consequences.

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Frehley candidly acknowledged that his flamboyant stage presence often resulted in falls due to his platform boots, which were part of his iconic stage attire. ?I used to fall a lot in those boots,? he admitted, highlighting the challenges of performing in such footwear.

He continued, ?A lot of times, Paul [Stanley] would cover for me by walking over to me like it was part of the show. He made it look like it was choreography or something. If nobody realized I?d fallen, I?d play on my knees and get back up. It [became] just part of the show!? This camaraderie among band members illustrates the teamwork that helped to keep performances flowing despite any mishaps.

However, these tumbles took a toll on his body. ?I screwed my knees up doing that,? he noted, revealing that he chipped a bone in his knee. Frehley recounted how a doctor warned him, ?Listen, you gotta stop doing that, or you?ll end up in a wheelchair.? To mitigate the risk of injury, they placed a pad under the carpet where he frequently fell, and he amusingly noted that in old videos, you can see him going down one knee at a time, showcasing his resilience and dedication to entertaining the audience.