Ace Frehley might be best known for shredding his guitar with KISS, but the biggest hit of his career didn’t come from the band that made him famous.
In September 1978, KISS pulled off something no other band had ever done: they released four solo albums at the same time. Each record showcased the distinct style and personality of its members: Frehley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley.
Frehley would go on to have the most critically and commercially successful LP of the four; his self-titled LP hit number 26 on the Billboard 200 on the back of its biggest single, a 1975 glam rock cover.
"Back in the New York Groove" was written by Russ Ballard and originally recorded by the North London glitter band Hello. In 1975, the song hit the Top 10 in both Europe and Germany.
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However, it was Frehley's version that would ultimately become his biggest solo hit. In 2025, he discussed the song and its impact on a generation of fans in an interview for the website Lyndsanity.
"I was lucky enough to get Eddie Kramer to produce my [solo] record, who had worked with KISS before, and with whom I felt comfortable with, so my creative juices flowed. That’s why that album came out so good," he began.
"And his assistant was the one who came up with the idea to do 'New York Groove.' That was my biggest hit, and I was against doing it. Eddie just talked me into it. Go figure."
He told Classic Rock that he wished he had penned the hugely successful song. “A lot of people think I wrote 'New York Groove.' It’s not a myth that I’ve perpetuated, but that’s the way it is. I wish I would’ve written the song, though. I would’ve made a lot more cash out of it."
The legacy of Ace Frehley's 'New York Groove'
"New York Groove" quickly became Ace Frehley’s signature song and earned a reputation as an unofficial anthem celebrating the state of New York. In the years since its release, the song has appeared in multiple ad campaigns, including a campaign for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Association in 2010, an AT&T ad in 2012, the TCS New York City Marathon in 2014 and 2015, and the 2025 U.S. Open marketing campaign.
However, one of the most powerful uses of Frehley's version of the song was in 2021, following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. News 10 reported that as part of a “Reimagine, Rebuild, Renew” multimedia campaign, "Back in the New York Groove" would soundtrack a series of promotions proving the city was bouncing back from adversity and reminding viewers its residents were "New York tough."
Ace Frehley’s biggest solo hit subsequently landed at Number 3 on a list of the Top 10 KISS songs on the Hot 100, per Billboard. "Back in the New York Groove" ranked third behind the 1976 tunes "Beth" and "Rock and Roll All Night."
Frehley died on October 16, 2025. His death followed injuries sustained after a fall, said his family in a statement published by Variety. The musician is survived by his wife, Jeanette, and daughter Monique.
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