Ace Frehley’s Biggest Hit… He DIDN'T WRITE?!

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The story of Ace Frehley's biggest solo hit 'New York Groove.' My second YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@RockNRollTrueStories2 Have a video request or a topic you'd like to see us cover? Fill out our google form! https://bit.ly/3stnXlN -----CONNECT ON SOCIAL----- TIKOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@rocknrolltruestory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rnrtruestories/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RNRTrueStories Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocktruestories Blog: www.rockandrolltruestories.com #kiss #newyorkgroove #acefrehley I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos. These videos are for entertainment purposes only. READ OUR DISCLAIMER https://rockandrolltruestories.com/youtube-disclaimer/ 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.