Ace Frehley’s Biggest Hit… He DIDN’T WRITE?!
The story of Ace Frehley’s biggest solo hit ‘New York Groove.’
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Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove” is not only one of the most recognizable riffs in rock and roll, it’s also a song with a surprising transatlantic backstory. While often thought of as Ace’s anthem—a swaggering, stomping groove that symbolizes New York City itself—the song wasn’t written by a New Yorker or even an American. The true story behind this iconic track starts in Hertfordshire, England with songwriter Russ Ballard, who created the song’s title while traveling to New York to work on Roger Daltrey’s album. Back in England, Ballard wrote “New York Groove” for glam rock band Hello, whose energetic, handclap-filled recording became a European hit but didn’t catch on in New York at first.
The story takes a major turn in 1978. Ace Frehley, lead guitarist of KISS, was at a creative crossroads as KISS struggled internally. Their manager suggested all four members record solo albums on the same day—a bold move to preserve the group and allow personal expression. Ace, born and bred in the Bronx, wanted a song that felt like home for his solo record. Enter producer Eddie Kramer and drummer Anton Fig, who moved the sessions to Manhattan and pushed Ace to record “New York Groove,” despite his initial reluctance. Ace transformed the quirky British pop original into a tough, hard-rocking anthem, replacing harmonica with a gritty Les Paul guitar and beefed-up drumming, capturing the raw, proud energy of the city.
Upon release of the solo albums, Ace’s “New York Groove” quickly became the biggest hit among all four members, climbing to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the charts for five months. His solo effort, praised for its authentic NYC vibe and guitar-driven sound, stood out from the rest: Gene Simmons offered a celebrity-filled album, Paul Stanley’s record resembled classic KISS, and Peter Criss leaned into R&B, but only Ace achieved significant commercial success. This triumph, however, only deepened tensions within KISS, leading to further division and lineup changes on subsequent albums like Dynasty and Unmasked. Anton Fig would soon become the unsung studio drummer for both Peter Criss and Ace’s projects as band drama unfolded.
“New York Groove” not only defined Ace Frehley’s solo career but also grew into a citywide anthem in New York. It’s played at Mets games, featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, and continues to symbolize the spirit of Manhattan. Though Ace didn’t write it, he became the embodiment of its rebellious, triumphant message—proving that sometimes a song isn’t finished until it finds its true voice. Ultimately, “New York Groove” linked British glam and American hard rock, set Ace apart as the solo star among KISS, and became a lasting symbol of New York’s unbreakable confidence.
@rnrtruestories
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Haven’t done any 70s era stuff in a while so wanted to change it up. Throw requests below
@Wargasm54
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I was living in Germany at the time “New York Groove” dropped. It was a big hit. I was confused later when I heard it in the USA and it was credited to Ace Frehley?! After all these years I now know that the Hello version was the one I was listening too back in Germany. I always thought it was the band “Sweet”. Trip
@ArtClubSuperstar
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Until a few minutes ago, I thought Ace had written the song. Russ Ballard has mad skills. In a way, this reminds me of how Quiet Riot redefined those older Sweet tunes, but is not to say that Quiet Riot and Ace share anything in common.
@deanruthlessrecords
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I’m sure Sal Governale is inconsolable since Ace passed away!
@Thirdgen83
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
"The city was on the verge of bankruptcy and crime was sky high". Oh, just like in 2025.
@blakhaus5808
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
His worst song.
@johnpeace971
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
This was just the precursor to the 80s, where everyone's biggest hit was a cover.
BTW Ace was right. He never should have recorded a pop song. Of course it was big. It was a disco/pop song designed to be big. He was cursed with having to play it for the rest of his life. Ace's two best known songs are covers, sadly overwhelming better songs that he wrote
@wingman1936
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
if it wasn't for Ace doing the song, on his solo album the song would have never been really known.
@annettejacobsen6035
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I didn't know this even though I wasn't around in the 70s Ace has always been my favourite kiss member ive been following all off Aces solo creative worx 🚀🌌🌠✨️🛸🧡🩵❤️⭐️Ace did NY groove justice much better version
@lokigom8931
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
To me the song was always see the world do your shit but when your home we have our own rules
@Aaron32880
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
The song 🎵, "God Gave Rock N' Roll To You" also appeared during the end credits of the movie 🎬, "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" as well.
@dimitriospolymeros1497
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Hey – "ozone baby" is great too! Not to mention the Zep stole it! (nah…) On coda- lots of b-bender by Mr Jimmy… anyway – rest in space, Ace
@xanataph
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
That was a fascinating insight into the song & of Ace!!! He will be missed!!! 🖤Of course he has taken ownership of the song, much like Hendrix did with All Along the Watchtower. But both versions are cool though, more like comparing the Slade original of Cum On Feel the Noize with Quiet Riot's rendition. 🖤
@SanitysVoid
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace is the rare case where a cover is clearly better then the original. And I did not know it was a cover till about a year ago.
@Kanarie1973
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace didn't start the Duckies, he joined them for a very short periode. Furthermore, I kinda like Gene's painful version of When you wish upon a star.
@maxxxmodelz4061
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
He also didn't write "Into The Night" or "Do Ya" from Frehley's Comet. They're all cover songs that he transformed into songs that everyone relates to him. Nothing wrong with that. Bands have been doing that since the start of Rock N Roll. I prefer Ace's versions of those songs to the originals anyway.
@Dan___S.67
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I never heard the Hello band one; I'll go hear it now.
@uweschmidt8772
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
The first thing I consciously noticed about KISS was in 1980 the "Best Of Solo Albums", where the first song was "New York Groove", what I instantly recognized as a cover, because I already knew it from Hello. So I was a bit confused about the band in the beginning, but a got a huge fan later on. Btw I liked Gene's album the best. It shows a wide variety of songs (I loved "Radioactive" and "Man Of 1000 Faces" back then), and I read in a book, that the last song was more of a tribute to his childhood as a migrant.
@bonnieburruss9453
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I. Really. Loved. Ace,S. Version. Of. New. York. Groove❤❤
@robertbenotti
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
It’s not the best song off the album.
Easy for Peter to play though. We know how much he hated playing anything he didn’t record.
@jimmycroce9902
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Thank You!
@Lemmy1550
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace's solo album was the best.
@martinmcgrath9750
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
The Sweet did a rocking version too Brit band
@moreheff
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
It annoys the hell out of me when people refer to old original 70's glam songs as a novelty, although admittedly there were one or two along the way, but most of them were anything but. To me the biggest novelty about 70's Glam were the clothes, which did not last that long, sadly like a lot of the bands. A good song is a good song no matter what. What happens is there are poor versions. To me, being a teenager in London in the 70's I will always love the Hello version, but Ace's is very good as well. But in the same way that Hello (who incidentally were a good little band and had some very good songs) never saw the light of day in America, Ace's version did not in the UK. But that is nothing unusual in the music biz. I always liked Ace. He had more kudo's in Kiss than the other guys and his guitar playing on the Destroyer album is first class, in my eyes anyway and his recent passing is a very sad day. RIP Ace
@ronaldhillhouse8860
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Russ Ballard songs have been covered by numerous artists. Ace, Head East, Rainbow, etc.
@0utlaw13
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
ACE!!!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@brentlohr3394
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Rest in space Ace
@robking1969
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace's solo album by and far blew the others away. Being a drummer heavily influenced by Peter Criss in my youth, I was sorely disappointed in his solo effort. The runner up for me was Paul. It did sound the most like KISS, but as the lead singer…
@MS-ro9dm
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I had heard it around, here and there but it never got my attention. So I gave it another listen. lol. Yeah, an awkward, uncomfortable song with no direction. Like, "Born in the USA" or , "Do You Feel Like I Do" it is one of those songs that for certain people will stir up pride and/or emotions if you can make a personal connection with the singalong chorus, ( even if you really have no idea what the song is about). But if you don't get it, you don't get it.
@Ctrl_alt_deleteandrepeat
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace and Peter always felt like the real deal, real rockers, real dudes. The 'other two' felt like the corporate machine, but they got them the status they needed. I just don't think it was what Ace and Peter were truly about.
@mortkb
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
My list of favorite KISS songs are highlighted by the ones that were written or co-written by Ace. Parasite, Cold Gin, Shock Me, Rocket Ride are just iconic. My passion for their music dwindled after Alive II but I still listen to them on my old vinyl collection from time to time. They were my band in the 70s and 80s. RIP Ace, you will be missed.
@davidlean8674
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I had all the Kizz albums. Including the solo's. I may have played the solos twice. They were not great. Ace's was the best, but only a few songs.
@harlont
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I love New York Groove, and while Ace's version can never be matched, I do like the version Sweet did. Different, but well done. The fusion of NYG and Empire State of Mine was, well .. sweet. But Ace just gave the song an attitude and an authenticity that was magic. RIP, Spaceman.
@rileyandmike
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
New York is an armpit
@koachnun7453
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
no Beth was the biggest hit out of the four albums
@SEVENSOLDIER_7_
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ace your spaceship has lifted off! Fly to the farthest reaches of space and further. Find new Universes and show them how to rock n Roll! Nobody did it like you did. Bob Ezrin did say you were the most Rock n Roll of all 4. ❤ RIP MY BELOVED SPACE ACE
@stevepratt2427
December 22, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Kudos to the original creators, but I love Ace's version by a space mile. A thumping, fun, powerful groove with nostalgia and authenticity that only the Spaceman could conjure. RIP Ace.
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