When you hear the swaggering, stomping riff of “New York Groove,” you instantly think of Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist of Kiss, and the song that became his signature anthem.

The gritty groove feels as big and bold as the city itself — a perfect rock tribute to the energy and spirit of New York City.

But here’s the twist: Ace Frehley didn’t write this iconic track.

In fact, the song’s origins trace back across the Atlantic Ocean, from England to the United States, weaving a tale of glam rock, creative reinvention, and musical destiny.

The story begins not in the Bronx, but in Herefordshire, England, with a prolific songwriter named Russ Ballard.

By the mid-1970s, Ballard had earned a reputation as a gifted musician and songwriter, known for his work with the progressive rock band Argent and writing hits for artists like Rainbow, Hot Chocolate, and Santana.

In 1975, while flying into New York City to oversee the mastering of an album for Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who, Ballard was struck by a simple phrase: “New York Groove.”

The title captured the excitement and unique energy of returning to the city, but the song itself had yet to be written.

Back in England, Ballard crafted the song for a young glam rock band called Hello.

Known for their platform boots and flashy satin outfits, Hello embraced Ballard’s creation with youthful enthusiasm.

The recording session was a whirlwind, taking just three hours.

To create the song’s signature stomping rhythm, the band members literally stomped on tables in their platform boots, channeling the Bo Diddley beat.

Ballard improvised harmonica parts and lyrics on the spot, producing a catchy, fun glam anthem.

Released in 1975, Hello’s “New York Groove” became a hit in the UK and Germany, reaching the top 10 charts.

It was bubbly, harmonic, and quintessentially glam rock — a perfect snapshot of the era’s British pop scene.

Yet, despite its success in Europe, the song went largely unnoticed in the city it celebrated.

Ballard himself attributed the song’s appeal to its simplicity, noting that a good song will always sell.

But as glam rock’s popularity waned, Hello’s star faded, and “New York Groove” remained their peak achievement — a fun, stomping anthem with a distinctly British flair.

Fast forward three years to 1978, when Kiss was at the height of their commercial success.

Known worldwide for their makeup, theatrics, and platinum albums, the band faced internal tensions and creative frustrations beneath the surface.

Primary songwriters Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons dominated the creative process, leaving drummer Peter Criss and lead guitarist Ace Frehley feeling stifled.

To ease tensions and give each member creative freedom, Kiss’s manager and Casablanca Records president hatched a bold plan: each member would record and release a solo album simultaneously.

This move was both a marketing masterstroke and a form of group therapy.

Ace Frehley’s solo album was a hard rock statement rooted in his Bronx upbringing.

Unlike Hello’s glam pop original, Ace’s version of “New York Groove” was tougher, grittier, and infused with his own swagger.

Recorded partly in a rented mansion in Connecticut, Ace experimented with sound, using natural acoustics to create a massive sonic atmosphere.

Ace initially resisted recording “New York Groove,” feeling it didn’t fit his guitar-driven album.

But producer Eddie Kramer, renowned for work with Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles, convinced him to give it a shot.

The recording moved to Plaza Sound Studios inside Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan to capture the city’s authentic vibe.

The harmonica was dropped, replaced by Ace’s swaggering guitar riff.

The light handclaps and stomps of the original became a thunderous beat driven by drummer Anton Fig.

Ace’s vocal delivery was confident and snarling — the sound of a man who owned every street corner he sang about.

Notably, Ace’s version lacks a flashy guitar solo, a bold choice emphasizing groove over showmanship.

This restraint made the song a massive hook rather than a technical showcase.

Released on September 18, 1978, Ace’s solo album yielded “New York Groove” as the standout single, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was the biggest hit among the four Kiss solo projects, surprising fans and critics alike.

The success bolstered Ace’s confidence and highlighted his ability to thrive outside Kiss’s creative confines.

However, the solo albums also deepened divisions within the band, fueling egos and resentments that contributed to lineup changes and creative shifts in subsequent albums.

“New York Groove” became Ace Frehley’s calling card, symbolizing his identity as a hard rock icon connected to his hometown.

Even after leaving Kiss in 1982 and rejoining for reunion tours, the song remained a staple of his live performances.

Beyond Ace’s career, “New York Groove” has become an unofficial anthem for New York City.

It is played at sporting events, notably as a victory song for the New York Mets after home runs, and blares through Madison Square Garden.

Its inclusion in popular video games like *Grand Theft Auto IV* introduced it to new generations, cementing its place in pop culture.

Interestingly, the song’s upbeat celebration contrasts with New York’s harsh realities in the late 1970s, a time of high crime and financial crisis.

Instead, “New York Groove” captures the city’s unbreakable confidence and spirit of resilience.

Ace has openly admitted he didn’t write “New York Groove,” saying, “It’s not a myth that I’ve perpetuated, but that’s the way it is.

I wish I would have written the song, though.

” While Russ Ballard penned the words and melody, Ace gave the song its soul, infusing it with his personal history and the DNA of New York City.

In interviews, Ace has expressed little interest in his bandmates’ solo efforts, focusing instead on his own musical path.

His version of “New York Groove” stands as a testament to the power of interpretation and the magic that happens when a song finds the right voice.

The journey of “New York Groove” is a unique tale of musical evolution, crossing oceans and genres to find its true home.

From Russ Ballard’s English glam rock creation to Ace Frehley’s hard rock anthem, the song embodies the spirit of New York City and the transformative power of rock music.

Ace didn’t write the song, but he made it his own — a lasting legacy that continues to electrify audiences and celebrate the city that never sleeps.