#Tod Howarth

[musicmags]

[myvinylplaylist]

Ace Frehley: Frehley's Comet (1987)

Megaforce Worldwide

Atlantic Records

[randgugotur-6]

April 27, 1987

Five years after leaving KISS, Ace Frehley, with John Regan (RIP), Tod Howarth and Anton Fig released their first album which includes the classics “Breakout”, “Calling To You”, “Rock Soldiers” and “Into The Night”. Of course the band was called Frehley’s Comet which was a twist on the popular news stories at the time about Halley’s Comet, which was visible for the first time in over 75 years.

What are your favorite songs on this album?

Check out my chat with Todd, we talk a lot about this album: https://youtu.be/a4AervksIdA

[metalkilltheking]

1987. Frehley's Comet

is the second solo album by musician Ace Frehley, former lead guitarist of Kiss. Frehley also named his band after the title of this album, and in this way, it is also considered the self-titled debut album credited to Frehley's Comet, as opposed to a Frehley solo release. It was the first album that Frehley released after leaving Kiss in 1982.

"Frehley's comet" is obligatory for everybody who appreciates the talented guitarist of KISS and for all those about to rock.

Highlights: "Rock Soldiers ", "Into The Night", "We Got Your Rock"

Ace Frehley Tod Howarth John Regan Anton Fig

[bangbangyou]

Ace went from one big booty rhythm guitar player to another

[ladygroovie]

Frehley's Comet Live at New York (1987)

[mansons-horror-queen]

Rip It Out // Ace Frehley

[shandidellamorte]

☄️~FREHLEY’S COMET~☄️

[generationclash]

Retronaut Selects: 707 - Mega Force (1982)

I first heard of 707 from seeing their albums in the used vinyl section.

I always remember seeing the cover of their self titled album from the Rock Candy website.

The first time I heard their music was after I found one of my vinyl wishlist items, a compilation called "Striktly For Konnoisseurs" which included all different bands from the 1970s and early 1980s that were making great rock music, but were overlooked due to the popularity of punk and new wave.

The song they featured was "Mega Force" from the album of the same name.

I've been listening to it almost every day, and I love it!!

I have seen their albums on vinyl, but I wasn't sure what they were when I saw them so I left them...and I haven't seen them since. I'm keeping an eye out though.

707 are one of the many great bands from that time period that are truly cool and just genuinely awesome.

These bands all get labeled as commercial failures, but that doesn't mean they weren't great. 

Truly great stuff is rare, and the general public doesn't always get into what is truly great, because it takes a little more effort to really see how great something is.

You can't blame the public though, because what gets promoted is what is guaranteed to sell, so that's just how things work.

Like I've probably said a million times, always dig deeper. Great stuff can always be found by digging deep.

Essential Tracks: Get To You, No Better Feeling, Can’t Hold Back

Listen Here: Mega Force

[heavymetal]

Frehley’s Comet album fully autographed during the 20th Anniversary Indy KISS Expo, including Ace Frehley, Anton Fig, John Regan, and Tod Howarth.

[myvinylplaylist]

Frehley’s Comet: Live + 1 (1988)

Promotional Window Card

[spacefoxy-irl]

The Tod Howarth mini interview

Back in... uuh 2004? I got the chance to do a mini interview bit for mine and friend’s website with Tod Howarth from Ace Frehley’s solo band. We had people submit questions they wanted to ask him too.

I recently found the interview and incase ya wanna read what he had to say here it is:

Hey Tod! First of all, how are you doing?

Tod: Well not too bad really, busy (as anybody might be) I'm enjoying the early summer here in San Diego. I'm writing and recording albeit very slowly at the moment because I've got a few things on my plate here that are taking up most of my time - some musical some not. However the wife and I are enjoying some time together with the ski boat and motorhome - even here locally in the wonderful bay areas of San Diego.

How did you become a musician? Tell us what got you started?

Tod: It was the Beatles that got me going. I saw them on TV in 1964 and I was transfixed. My ability really didn't come out until a few years later but I started to sing and hear all the harmonies and lead vocals from this (then) new mop-top band - and because the way that the girls reacted to them I thought 'Well now, this must have something to it, hmmmm'.

Who are your idols?

Tod: I have many really, From early on Guitar, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, Vocals, Steve Marriott, Steve Walsh (of Kansas) I told him that once and he didn't quite know how to react. I loved the Babys, a great band back in the '70's. Today I really like a lot of fresh HEAVY stuff as well as the likes of Sting, Seal, early Phil Collins. Maybe these are more influences that they are idols. Paul McCartney is probably my biggest idol.

What instruments do you play? Cause I have seen pictures of you playing several.

Tod: I am a singer first really, then I learned keyboards, drums, guitar, bass. I play mostly guitar now but for many years I was known primarily as a keyboardist. I'm best at keys and guitar - I have to really learn the parts (of my songs) on the drums because it's a refresher course every time because I don't play everyday (or week, month etc for that matter) When I was about 15 I played drums a lot but succumbed to the lure of the all mighty guitar!

Tell something about your early career. What was the first band you played with etc.?

Tod: Well, professionally that would be 707, my first real garage band was a three piece with no bass player - I was on guitar. Then a band called 'Cocoa Blue' That was a great band - my cousin by marriage, Jason Scheff, played bass - he's now and has been with the band 'Chicago' Then 'Dartanyan'..and then I moved to Los Angeles and played with many variations of bands until I landed the gig with 707.

Since you are mostly known from Frehley's Comet, how did you get together with Ace?

Tod: I met Ace through John Regan when I was on tour with Cheap Trick and John was playing with John Wait back in 1985/86. Regan was doing some side stuff with Ace at the time and thought that I might be a benefit to the up and coming Comet plan.

* Here’s some random questions from our website members. *

What's your favorite Song and Video of Frehley's Comet?

Tod: "Something Moved" was my fave - I guess because it's my tune and it was so fun to sing and play live. "Insane" was the fave video because of well, have you seen it? Women, women, women!

Who's the redhead on Ace's lap in the video for 'Insane'? It's not Jeanette is it?

Tod: That was Kim, Ace's girlfriend at the time. I have heard that she had a hard time after they broke up and he had rejoined KISS. She took her own life. This I have not confirmed but it was well circulated.     (yikes)

Do you still keep in touch with Ace?

Tod: I have not talked to Ace in years - he's been very busy of course and was not interested in the Comet reunion or so I had heard. I do miss the guy.

I'd like to know if you always knew that Ace was as sober as he pretended to be or if he acknowledged any difference on stage, if he (Ace) was performing after "substance abuse"?

Tod: When I first started playing with the Comet he was sober, straight headed, and driven to succeed again. I really don't know if he ever played 'hammered' when I was with the band because he kind of had that 'hammered' movement thing going for him in that all so 'Ace' manner!

Have you had any contact with John Regan again?

Tod: Each and most every time that he comes through with Peter Frampton we see each other and or talk.

Are you coming to Europe again at any point?

Tod: A pending opportunity that just came up may in fact bring me back over there - if and when this happens it'll be up and on my (much needed updating) website. http://www.todhowarth.com/

Do you really prefer brunettes (like I have heard)?

Tod: Yes, weird huh, that I'm married to a blonde!   (lol)

Have you read the KISS & Tell book about Ace and if you have is it all true?

Tod: No, I have not read it all the way through - that would be so hard for me to do because it seems to be 'tit for tat' crap. Some of it may ring true and some may be embellished but I wouldn't know about a lot of that - just my involvement - of which I did read and it's not all that accurate.

Thank you Tod!

Tod: Thank you!! Talk soon.

[randgugotur-6]

On this day

May 24th 1988

Second Sighting is the third solo album by Ace Frehley and the second and final to use the Frehley's Comet moniker. Due to Frehley's illness and substance abuse during the recording, Tod Howarth took a bigger role in singing and songwriting than on the previous album.

Released

May 24, 1988

Recorded

1988

Studio

Mediasound, New York City

Genre

Glam metal

Length

42:11

Label

AtlanticMegaforce

Producer

Frehley's CometScott MabuchiJon & Marsha ZazulaEddie Trunk

Track listing

edit

No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length

1. "Insane" Ace Frehley, Gene Moore Frehley 3:45

2. "Time Ain't Runnin' Out" Tod Howarth Howarth 3:52

3. "Dancin' with Danger" (Streetheart cover) Streetheart, Frehley, Dana Strum Frehley 3:25

4. "It's Over Now" Howarth Howarth 4:39

5. "Loser in a Fight" Howarth, John Regan Frehley, Howarth 4:33

6. "Juvenile Delinquent" Frehley Frehley 5:13

7. "Fallen Angel" Howarth Howarth 3:44

8. "Separate" Frehley, Regan Frehley 4:56

9. "New Kind of Lover" Howarth Howarth 3:14

10. "The Acorn Is Spinning" Frehley, Regan

[allmusic]

AllMusic Staff Pick: 707 Mega Force

Most remember 707's "Mega Force" as the infectiously kick-ass theme to Hal Needham's bonkers 1982 sci-fi actioner starring Barry Bostwick. However, it was also the title-track to the Michigan-bred power rockers' third album, which introduced singer Kevin Chalafant. While the film bombed (eventually gaining cult-status), the song proved a hit, peaking at number 12 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. Nonetheless, 707 broke-up in 1983 and Chalafant would go on to form The Storm with members of Journey. Still, "Mega Force" lived on, even getting reworked by Ace Frehely and guitarist Tod Howarth as "Calling To You" for 1987's Frehley's Comet.

- Matt Collar

[bangbangyou]

something moved

[riffrelevant]

Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief Editor

In June of 1982, guitarist Paul “Ace” Frehley negotiated his exit from arguably one of rock and roll’s biggest acts, KISS – with the departure taking effect six months later in December.

Behind the scenes of his seemingly questionable move, Ace Frehley remained a business partner with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, retaining a one-quarter share in KISS. To keep that share, Frehley was under contractual obligation to not release any solo projects, at least until the year 1985, despite the fact that his 1978 solo album début (one of four individual albums issued from each member of KISS) was the most successful of the four.

Facing a handful of years where he could not put out anything as a solo artist, without severely hurting his financial income and place him in danger of legal litigation, Ace decided to use the time in assembling a band. Intended solely as a backing band for his eventual entrance into life as a solo artist, Ace soon finalized the players for it by selecting guitarist Richie Scarlet (Mountain), bassist John Regan (Peter Frampton), keyboardist Arthur Stead, and drummer Anton Fig (David Letterman’s CBS Orchestra). However, before the new band began to record their first album together, Scarlet would leave to focus on his own solo career, which in turn led to Stead being dropped when guitarist / vocalist / keyboardist Tod Howarth was brought into the band.

The planned album was to be entitled ‘Frehley’s Comet‘, but sometime before its materialization, Ace decided to also use that as the name of the band, rather than release the record as a solo artist. Several more years went by, but eventually in 1987, Ace Frehley / Frehley’s Comet released the self-titled ‘Frehley’s Comet‘ via Megaforce / Atlantic Records. The album, which was produced by the famed Eddie Kramer, was considered a success, reaching No. 43 on that year’s The Billboard 200 while yielding a minor hit single, “Into The Night“. The cover song, originally written and recorded by Russ Ballard on his 1984 self-titled release, reached No. 27 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Charts and spawned an official video, as did another track, “Rock Soldiers“.

    Both videos received regular rotation airplay on MTV at the time, and an interesting tidbit of trivia about them – both feature Billy Ward, not Anton Fig, behind the drum kit. He was Ace’s live touring drummer in the years that Ace was working on getting his band together, demoing music, and unable to issue recorded solo material without repercussions.

Ace Frehley / Frehley’s Comet would issue a second full-length in May of 1988, the appropriately titled ‘Second Sighting‘, recorded with a new drummer, Jamie Oldaker (Bob Seger, Eric Clapton). It would peak at No. 81 on The Billboard 200 and produce two singles with corresponding music videos, “Insane” and “It’s Over Now“. Like the preceding album, ‘Second Sighting‘ featured synthesizers, samples, and sequencing provided by Gordon “G.G.” Gebert of Angel.

Prior to this album, the band released an EP in early 1988, ‘Live +1‘, featuring four songs performed live in concert and one original studio song. It was followed with an accompanying VHS video titled ‘Live +4‘, containing live performances and the band’s official videos to that point.

    By the time of the next studio release from Ace Frehley in 1989, ‘Trouble Walkin”, he had dropped the Frehley’s Comet name and the band itself had undergone several changes. Tod Howarth was replaced by a returning Richie Scarlet, and Jamie Oldaker by ex-Riot drummer Sandy Slavin (although Anton Fig and Ex-KISS drummer Peter Criss did perform some of the percussion work on the album). The album featured many guest vocalists, including Criss and Sebastian Bach.

Frehley’s Comet, the band, continued until 1995, with Richie Scarlet remaining throughout, and John Regan departing in 1992. Ace Frehley put his solo career on hold to rejoin KISS in 1996, and has since resumed his role as a solo artist, releasing several solo albums in recent years with Richie Scarlet, bassist Chris Wyse, and drummer Scot Coogan – all of whom Ace unexpectedly let go earlier this year.

    That takes us to where we are now, with this week’s news that former Frehley’s Comet members John Regan (bass), Tod Howarth (guitar/vocals) and Richie Scarlet (guitar/lead vocals) have joined forces, with former Ace Frehley drummer Steve Werner, in RETURN OF THE COMET.

Together, they will celebrate their writing, recording, touring and co-production contributions to the band Frehley’s Comet legacy, by performing the hits and classic songs from the Frehley’s Comet catalog, and more, under the name RETURN OF THE COMET.

You can see RETURN OF THE COMET perform live at Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA on April 9th, 2019 [Info].

  Oldschool Sunday: FREHLEY’S COMET [Former Members Unite In RETURN OF THE COMET] Article By: Pat 'Riot' Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief Editor In June of 1982, guitarist…