Friday 17 October 2025.

Friday 17 October 2025. Very sad news that KISS guitar legend ACE FREHLEY has died aged 74. KISS seem to be a marmite band , but they were my fave American band. Ace and his rocket firing smoking guitar was always great to watch. Lucky to have seen KISS and Ace solo many times in concert. 1976 - KISS two shows at Hammersmith Odeon on their debut UK tour. 1979 - KISS in Chicago , USA ..Judas Priest were the support. 1980 - all four KISS shows on their UK tour. Ace Frehley first left KISS in 1982 and rejoined for a reunion tour in 1996. He left for the second time in 2002, after which he was replaced by Tommy Thayer. 1996 - KISS all four UK shows including Donington . 1996 - was a great year for me , as both KISS and THE SEX PISTOLS reformed with original members to tour. 1997 - KISS two shows - Ghent, Belgium and Finsbury Park. 1999 - KISS two shows - Paris, France and Wembley Arena. I also saw three shows by Ace Frehley's Comet. 1988 - Hammersmith Odeon. 2008 - Astoria. 2009 - Shepherds Bush Empire. R.I.P. Ace ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Thursday 16 October 2025....6.30pm to 9.15pm... VERTU AGENT Q phone launch party at Harrods , Knightsbridge , London SW1. Around 150 guests in the stunning 4th floor Georgian Restaurant & Bar of this famous store. At 7pm the VERTU CEO says a few words and we get a video presentation of the new phone. The Vertu Agent Q is a new luxury smartphone featuring AI-powered concierge services, a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and a 32 MP camera. Launched in October 2025, it's housed in materials like crocodile leather and gold, includes a dedicated hardware encryption chip, and comes with 10TB of cloud storage. It can be purchased from Harrods ( well over £1000 ) and via their website store . A female dj played some tunes after the presentation. Complimentary Moet champers, Passion Fruit Gin Martinis , canapes and desserts. I was one of the lucky 20% of guests that got a very nice goodie bag. VERTU PHANTOM EARBUDS that retail for £460. www.vertu.com - Visit their website here. ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Wednesday 15 October 2025....I went to four events tonight... 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The unveiling of The Mediterranean Vases at Asprey at The Peninsula Hotel , 1 Grosvenor Place , London SW1. The opening party of this luxury five hotel last year was pretty spectacular . Around 70 or 80 guests here in this store, including JACKIE ST CLAIR. At 6pm Master Glassmaker Jonathan Harris unveils the vases which take him 70 hours each to make. Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers and canapes. then 6.45pm to 7.30pm. HOWE GALLERY - showcase - 16 Bloomfield Terrace, London SW1. From the front it is a house in a quiet residential street , then you step inside and it is a fully converted open space , including up in the loft. Howe Gallery is part of Howe London, a fine furniture and antique dealer. It is a showroom for the company's handcrafted, bespoke, and antique furniture, as well as hosting various exhibitions and events. Around 70 or 80 guests here including STEPHEN K AMOS and DR RANJ SINGH. Complimentary Bernard Gaucher champers and wines . then 7.45pm to 8pm . JD MALAT GALLERY - Frieze Party - 30 Davies Street , Mayfair , London W1. Around 100 guests here , included LADY VICTORIA HERVEY. Complimentary wines . then 8.15pm to 11.15pm . JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE Evening Celebration With Designer & Collaborator RAHUL MISHRA at The Dorchester Hotel , Mayfair, London W1. Over 200 guests here in two of the rooms at this well known five star hotel. Around 75% were Indian guests celebrating Diwali , with many nicely dressed up . Guest of honour PRIYANKA CHOPRA turns up at 10pm with full security. Priyanka Chopra ( now aged 43 ) is an Indian actress and producer. The winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, she is India's highest-paid actress . Other guests here included SUZY MENKES and STEPHEN JONES . Top showbiz photographer DAVE BENETT was here taking the photos. There were djs playing hourly stints, mixing Bhangra and dance anthems. There was a three girl dance routine ,then there was a 15 mins Indian drums live display. I had a nice chat with up and coming female singer AANYA MARTIN who recently played The Jazz Cafe. A really good lively party. Complimentary Searcy's champers , three different Johnnie Walker Blue cocktails , different bowl foods , canapes and desserts .

Posted 16th October 2025