Who wrote Ace Frehley's hit song "New York Groove"?

Russ Ballard, a British musician, wrote "New York Groove," which Frehley recorded and released as a solo artist in 1978.

When did Ace Frehley's solo album featuring "New York Groove" come out?

Frehley's self-titled solo album, which included the hit "New York Groove," was released in 1978, the same year all four members of KISS put out their own solo projects.

Where was Ace Frehley born?

Ace Frehley, the KISS guitarist behind the hit "New York Groove," was born in the Bronx, New York, making the song's title and theme particularly fitting for him.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley's Surprising Story Behind His Iconic Solo Hit "New York Groove"

KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley's Surprising Story Behind His Iconic Solo Hit "New York Groove"

17 Oct

•

Summary

Ace Frehley's 1978 solo hit "New York Groove" was actually written by British musician Russ Ballard
Frehley was unaware the song was a cover and thought he had written it himself
"New York Groove" became Frehley's most successful solo release, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100

KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley's Surprising Story Behind His Iconic Solo Hit "New York Groove"

In October 2025, the music world mourned the passing of Ace Frehley, the iconic KISS guitarist, who died at the age of 74. While Frehley was best known for his work with the legendary rock band, he also had a successful solo career, including one major hit - 1978's "New York Groove."

However, Frehley recently shared a surprising revelation about the song. In an interview published just 11 days before his death, he admitted that he did not actually write "New York Groove." Instead, the track was penned by British musician Russ Ballard, who originally released it with his band Hello. Frehley was unaware of this and had long believed he was the sole creator of the hit.