Ace Frehley’s death sparks a massive surge in sales on iTunes as fans revisit his solo catalog and Kiss classics, like “New York Groove” and “I Wad Made for Lovin’ You.” Ace Frehley of Kiss performs at Arco Arena on August 28, 1996 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
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Superstar rocker Ace Frehley, best known as the original lead guitarist and founding member of the costumed rock group Kiss, died yesterday (October 16). As is often the case when a musician of his caliber passes, fans of the late great artist turned to iTunes to buy the songs and albums he left behind.
Frehley invades the digital storefront charts both as a soloist and with the music he made as a member of Kiss, the band that helped turn him into a rock icon. Multiple tunes and albums credited to him on his own, as well as to Kiss, have rebounded and become bestsellers again. Both Frehley and Kiss stand a strong chance of finding their way back onto the Billboard charts in a little over a week if purchases continue.
Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove” Becomes a Bestseller
On the iTunes Top Songs chart, which ranks the bestselling individual tracks on the platform in America, Frehley fills two spaces as a soloist. His highest-rising win is “New York Groove,” which breaks back in at No. 17.
That’s an impressive placement for a Friday, which begins a new tracking week. Frehley is competing with just-shared releases from superstars like Brandi Carlile, Zac Brown Band, Bon Jovi, and Morgan Wallen, who sit just a few spots ahead of him.
Further down the 200-position ranking comes Frehley’s “Rock Soldiers” at No. 177.
Ace Frehley Scores Several Bestselling Albums
The late superstar fills twice as many spots on the iTunes Top Albums chart and even approaches the top 10 during another busy release period. Frehley’s simply-titled Kiss: Ace Frehley currently sits at No. 13 as of the time of writing.
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: Recording artist Ace Frehley performs at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade on March 6, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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The set is one of the highest-rising new entrants this frame, coming in behind titles from Tame Impala, All Time Low, and Ty Dolla $ign. Frehley even manages to outperform just-dropped efforts from Of Monsters and Men, Chris Young, Daddy Yankee, and fellow rock favorite David Gilmour.
Frehley’s Comet, 10,000 Volts and Trouble Walkin’
Three other Frehley titles find space on the iTunes Top Albums chart in the U.S. Frehley’s Comet sneaks into the top 40 at No. 35, Trouble Walkin’ lands at No. 81, 10,000 Volts appears at No. 92, and Origins, Vol. 2 launches at No. 156.
KISS Smashes “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Beth” Rebound
Of course, as many fans love Frehley’s solo work as they do Kiss and the music he made as part of the band. The group’s classic “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” one of its most famous compositions, settles in at No. 81 on the iTunes Top Songs chart, while “Beth” launches at No. 141.
Multiple Kiss Albums Surge Following Ace Frehley’s Death
Just as with Frehley’s solo material, Kiss appears in twice as many spots on the iTunes Top Albums list as on the songs tally. All four of the band’s full-length projects sit within the upper half of the 200-position ranking.
The 2012 remaster of Destroyer is the bestselling of the bunch, coming in at No. 56 — just above The Very Best of KISS compilation, which appears three spaces south. The group’s Alive! is found at No. 86, while the band’s self-titled offering rests 10 spots lower.
Ace Frehley Remembered as a Rock Icon
Frehley’s cause of death is connected to a fall he suffered in his home studio. The rocker reportedly injured himself on September 25 and, just yesterday was placed on life support before passing away at the age of 74. Throughout his career, Frehley spent just under a decade as part of Kiss before departing, though he would later rejoin the band, which is now on hiatis. He also released music under his own name and as a founding member of the group Frehley’s Comet.