It was a night of full metal at the Allentown Fair Saturday, with three bands hitting the grandstand stage.

Quiet Riot kicked off the night with a jolt of pure ‘80s voltage. The crowd may’ve been thin, but the energy was thick; Johnny Kelly pounding the drums like thunder while bassist Rudy Sarzo (yes, that Rudy Sarzo!) slapped out a solo in a polka-dotted pick guard bass, a nod to the late Randy Rhoads. Sarzo even dropped into “Thunderbird” and teased the iconic “Crazy Train” intro, stirring up memories of Ozzy-era madness.

“Cum On Feel the Noize” closed their set with a bang, after a cheeky tease of “Bang Your Head.” Somewhere in the bleachers, a couple swayed, now singer Jizzy Pearl looked up and said, “How’s THAT couple up there doing? I always wonder what they’re thinking!” The intro to “Black No. 1” by Johnny’s former band, Type O Negative, really was the biggest tease of the night.

Next up, Great White brought bluesy swagger with a younger front man, Brett Carlisle, who had the pipes and the poise. “Stick It” got fists pumping, but it was “House of Broken Love” that melted faces with a searing guitar solo. They slowed it down for “Mista Bone,” sitting in remembrance of the band’s tragic history (RIP Lehigh local Derek Johnson), before launching into “Rock Me” with harmonica howls and shark visuals swimming behind them the entire time.

Then came Ace Frehley, the original Spaceman of KISS, still orbiting rock’s outer limits.

He opened with “Shock Me,” his signature solo showcase, and tore through “Deuce” with that unmistakable Les Paul growl. “I need to hear the rest of the band,” Ace yelled since the sound of the guitars were overwhelming coming from the stage. “Rock Soldiers” was dedicated to the diehards, and “Speedin’ Back to My Baby” reminded us why Ace’s solo work still hits.

Drummer Matt Starr took lead vocals on “Love Gun,” which was a huge crowd favorite considering it is one of KISS’ greatest hits. Ace also included “Detroit Rock City,” flinging picks like confetti.

Last night wasn’t just nostalgia for us fans, but it was proof that Ace still burns bright, even decades after launching from the KISS mothership.

Jenny Talbot is a freelance writer.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/08/31/allentown-fair-ace-frehley-quiet-riot-great-white-review/