Just one day after the passing of Ace “Space Ace” Frehley, nearly 9,000 fans filled the world-famous Mohegan Sun Arena expecting a hard-rock showcase. What they experienced instead was something far deeper — three generations of rock icons uniting to celebrate the life and legacy of one of their heroes.
Opening the night were, Quiet Riot — Jizzy Pearl (vocals), Alex Grossi (guitar), Rudy Sarzo (bass), and Johnny Kelly (drums) and they came out firing. The band ripped through “Run for Cover,” “Slick Black Cadillac,” and “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” their sound crisp, heavy, and pure adrenaline.
Check out the gallery of photos of Quiet Riot by Joel Shover here.
Then the mood shifted. As the first notes of “Thunderbird” rang out, the lights cooled to a deep blue, and the massive LED wall faded into an iconic image of Ace Frehley, Les Paul raised toward the stars. Traditionally, the song honors fallen members Randy Rhoads, Kevin DuBrow, and Frankie Banali, but on this night the dedication extended to Ace Frehley himself.
Grossi’s solo soared like a signal to the heavens while Sarzo’s bass rumbled beneath, anchoring the moment with quiet reverence. The arena stood silent — thousands of fists in the air — before erupting into applause that shook the rafters.
Quiet Riot then roared back into gear with “Party All Night,” “The Wild and the Young,” “Let’s Get Crazy,” “Cum On Feel the Noize,” and their thunderous closer “Metal Health (Bang Your Head).” It was equal parts memorial and celebration — proof that metal’s heartbeat still echoes loud and true.
Next up came Slaughter, featuring: Mark Slaughter, Jeff Blando, Dana Strum, and Zoltan Chaney; Each member carried the torch with the kind of sleek, melodic power that made them MTV icons. They opened with “Mad About You,” “Burnin’ Bridges,” and “Spend My Life,” their harmonies gliding effortlessly across the arena’s perfect acoustics.
Midway through, the mood turned reflective as the band eased into “Eye to Eye,” “Days Gone By,” and “Real Love.” Then came the night’s second emotional peak: “Fly to the Angels.” As the stage lights dimmed and the LED screens once again displayed Frehley’s celestial image, Mark Slaughter dedicated the song to celebrating Ace’s life. His voice wavered with emotion as thousands of lights flickered blue across the crowd.
The chorus — “Fly to the angels…” — became a unifying hymn, reverberating through the arena like a shared prayer. By the time they closed with “Up All Night,” the sadness had lifted, replaced by the joyous pulse of rock and roll.
Check out the full gallery of photos of Slaughter by Joel Shover here.
Headliner Sebastian Bach, joined by Brent Woods (guitar), Rob DeLuca (bass), and Bobby Jarzombek (drums), hit the stage like a supernova. He exploded into “What Do I Got to Lose?” and “Slave to the Grind,” followed by “Here I Am,” setting an unrelenting pace.
Then came the night’s defining moment — “Shock Me.” As Woods tore into the iconic KISS riff, the lights sank to a cool, galactic blue, and the massive backdrop filled once more with Ace Frehley’s image, bathed in cosmic light. Bach delivered the song with both reverence and raw energy, channeling Ace’s swagger while 9,000 voices shouted the chorus back at him. It wasn’t just a cover — it was communion.
From there, Bach unleashed a relentless set that read like a love letter to classic rock: “Big Guns,” “Sweet Little Sister,” “18 and Life,” “Can’t Stand the Heartache,” “Freedom,” “Piece of Me,” “Future of Youth,” a searing “Monkey Business / I Don’t Know” medley, “I Remember You,” “(Hold On) to the Dream,” and the explosive closer “Youth Gone Wild.”
By the end, sweat, light, and sound filled every inch of the arena. The Spaceman’s spirit felt alive in every scream and every solo.
Ace Frehley played Mohegan Sun Arena many times over his career — both solo and with KISS — and his influence was felt in every note this night.
Check out the gallery of photos of Sebastain Bach by Joel Shover here.
This wasn’t mourning — it was amplification.
It was rock and roll’s way of saying thank you.
For one unforgettable night in Uncasville, the Spaceman truly soared!
Go See Live Music!
Till The Next Show…….Joel
To submit an article an article or review, or to just say hello hit us at lmnandr@gmail.com
Also- check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner and search for your favorite artist, event, venue or genre. You’ll be surprised at what you find!
Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.
