KISS Co-Founder Ace Frehley’s 1 Remorse About His Solo Hit ‘New York Groove’

Ace Frehley may be most well-known for his work with KISS, however he had one iconic solo hit to his identify: 1978’s “New York Groove” from his self-titled solo album. 

That 12 months, all 4 members of KISS — Frehley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley — all launched solo albums, however solely Frehley’s spawned successful, when “New York Groove” reached No. 13 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. It was a very applicable tune for Frehley, who died Oct. 16 on the age of 74, as a result of he was born within the Bronx, N.Y.

However chatting with Louder in an interview revealed Oct. 6, Frehley shared the one draw back to the tune. “Lots of people assume I wrote ‘New York Groove.’ It’s not a delusion that I’ve perpetuated, however that’s the way in which it’s. I want I’d’ve wrote the tune, although. I’d’ve made much more money out of it,” he mentioned with fun.

As a substitute, “New York Groove” was written by Russ Ballard and initially launched by the London band Hey. Hey’s model was successful within the UK, Germany and Austria. 

Ballard was additionally British. He wrote the tune, he advised Louder, whereas he was flying to New York for the primary time shortly. “Whereas I used to be sitting on the aircraft I received out a pen and paper and began considering of the phrase ‘again within the New York groove,’ ” he mentioned. “That’d be a great title for a tune, I reckoned; the entire concept of somebody going again to New York and singing concerning the expertise.” When he returned to New York, Hey wanted extra songs, and Ballard had written their debut single.

Frehley advised Louder he by no means heard the Hey model. “Or possibly I’ve and I simply can’t bear in mind,” he mentioned. “Are you able to ship me an MP3 of it?”

He mentioned the tune received added to his album as a result of “we realised we wanted a extra business tune for inclusion on my solo report.” The monitor was laid down in Plaza Sound Studios above Radio Metropolis Music Corridor on 51st Road, and Frehley mentioned that they might see the Rockettes solar themselves on the roof.

As for the success of Frehley’s tune and album over the releases from the opposite members of KISS, he mentioned, “It didn’t really feel like I used to be getting one over on the opposite guys in KISS. It’s simply one thing that occurred. I used to be fortunate that it got here out nearly as good because it did. I by no means actually listened to the opposite three solo information, though I did put Gene’s on as soon as.” He joked that he turned it off when he heard Simmons’ cowl of “When You Want Upon a Star” from Pinocchio. 

“New York Groove” is one in every of Ballard’s most profitable songs, he mentioned. “I suppose it stunned me as a result of it’s so extremely easy. They are saying a great tune will at all times promote. And there’s loads of fact in that.” The tune is commonly used within the New York space; the New York Mets play it at house video games after they win. 

Again in 1980, Frehley advised PEOPLE that the success of “New York Groove” helped him assert himself in KISS. “I am beginning to come out of my shell and I will get stronger,” he mentioned. He finally left KISS in 1982, after 9 years with the band. He briefly rejoined the band for a reunion tour in 1996 and final performed with the group on the KISS Kruise in 2018.