Peter Criss
Peter Criss (born Peter Criscuola on December 20, 1945) is an American rock… Read Full Bio ↴Peter Criss (born Peter Criscuola on December 20, 1945) is an American rock musician. He was one of four founding members of seminal hard rock group Kiss. Nicknamed the 'Cat Man', he was the drummer and co-singer of the band, known as the mellow side of KISS singing hits such as "Beth" and "Hard Luck Woman". Yet he also brought the fire into songs such as "Black Diamond" and "Nothin' to Lose."
Peter's first solo album came out in 1978 along with the other three member's solo albums. Although receiving major play for the retro rock n roll tune "Tossin' and Turnin'", the album was the least favorite of the four, in large part because it strayed away from the 'Kiss sound' and focused on the slower, more chill sounds that Criss favored. Criss grew up listening to crooners such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Said facts were a sign of how the four band members had significantly drifted apart, as Criss' vision differed greatly from his associates.
In 1979, KISS released 'Dynasty'. Criss's only contribution to the album was the track "Dirty Livin'", which featured him on lead vocals. Kiss used a session drummer, the famous Anton Fig, for the rest of the album. Although Criss' aforementioned tune received kudos, the end of his role in the band was clearly coming. Despite materialistic success, his personal life also appeared in turmoil.
Criss left Kiss in 1980, with the drug and alcohol abuse plaguing his life as well as musical differences coming to a head. He started a solo career that led to sporadic touring and three additional studio releases. Some of those releases received some critical praise, such as the appropriately titled 'Let Me Rock You' (compared by Allmusic to "catnip" for the ears) that featured help from no less than Kiss' Gene Simmons.
Yet Criss had many demons to deal with. Even though Criss was featured on the 'Unmasked' album cover, he did not play a single beat on the album. The band replaced him with musician Eric Carr. Tragedy struck when Carr passed away from cancer-related complications on November 24, 1991. Kiss as a very idea, let alone a band, appeared in jeopardy. Though the group brought in Eric Singer to replace Carr, their commercial and critical fortunes had waned much from their 70s heyday.
In 1995, Criss was asked to sing with Kiss (then made up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, and Singer) at a Kiss Convention which ignited a spark of the idea of a reunion of the four original members. He sang "Hard Luck Woman" and "Nothin' to Lose." Later on that year, Criss joined Kiss and Ace Frehley for an acoustic session for MTV's Unplugged Series. He sang and played four songs: "Beth", "2,000 Man", "Nothin' to Lose", and "Rock and Roll All Nite".
This was the "icing on the cake" because, a year later, Criss, Frehley, Stanley, and Simmons donned the war paint (which Kiss hadn't worn since 1983) and put their larger than life boots back on for a Reunion Tour, which was the biggest tour in the world at the time. Criss was ecstatic to play with Kiss again. Criss and the others released 'Psycho Circus' in 1998. Like in the past, Criss and Frehley were credited on the album, but session drummers were used for most of the album. Criss sang the Beth-esque track "I Finally Found my Way", written by Paul Stanley.
Two years later, in 2000-2001, Kiss announced their Farewell Tour, which also became a huge series of events. About 3/4 into the tour, Criss was becoming unhappy with his salary and he was also tired of playing two hour shows every night. On the night Kiss played Trenton, New Jersey, Criss had a "tear" pasted on his face. Many people say this was a sign that Criss wasn't coming back because for the next show, Kiss had to bring back Eric Singer, who put on the 'Cat Man' make-up and finished the tour (since Simmons and Stanley owned the make-up designs, Criss couldn't stop them).
Kiss was silent in 2002, but then, in 2003, Kiss planned a once in a life-time concert event with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Criss was back behind the skins (some say they needed him to sing "Black Diamond" and "Beth", which were symphony worthy). Criss then stayed with Kiss to play on the World Dominination Tour along side Aerosmith (since the set was 80 minutes, Criss had an easier time playing). After the tour, Criss called it quits again, but on far better terms than in the old days.
On April 11, 2014, Kiss was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Earning an enthusiastic audience response when they appeared, the original band members reunited once again. Though the rockers did not perform, they all showed up in person to accept their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 29th annual induction ceremony and thanked their fans.
Peter's first solo album came out in 1978 along with the other three member's solo albums. Although receiving major play for the retro rock n roll tune "Tossin' and Turnin'", the album was the least favorite of the four, in large part because it strayed away from the 'Kiss sound' and focused on the slower, more chill sounds that Criss favored. Criss grew up listening to crooners such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Said facts were a sign of how the four band members had significantly drifted apart, as Criss' vision differed greatly from his associates.
In 1979, KISS released 'Dynasty'. Criss's only contribution to the album was the track "Dirty Livin'", which featured him on lead vocals. Kiss used a session drummer, the famous Anton Fig, for the rest of the album. Although Criss' aforementioned tune received kudos, the end of his role in the band was clearly coming. Despite materialistic success, his personal life also appeared in turmoil.
Criss left Kiss in 1980, with the drug and alcohol abuse plaguing his life as well as musical differences coming to a head. He started a solo career that led to sporadic touring and three additional studio releases. Some of those releases received some critical praise, such as the appropriately titled 'Let Me Rock You' (compared by Allmusic to "catnip" for the ears) that featured help from no less than Kiss' Gene Simmons.
Yet Criss had many demons to deal with. Even though Criss was featured on the 'Unmasked' album cover, he did not play a single beat on the album. The band replaced him with musician Eric Carr. Tragedy struck when Carr passed away from cancer-related complications on November 24, 1991. Kiss as a very idea, let alone a band, appeared in jeopardy. Though the group brought in Eric Singer to replace Carr, their commercial and critical fortunes had waned much from their 70s heyday.
In 1995, Criss was asked to sing with Kiss (then made up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, and Singer) at a Kiss Convention which ignited a spark of the idea of a reunion of the four original members. He sang "Hard Luck Woman" and "Nothin' to Lose." Later on that year, Criss joined Kiss and Ace Frehley for an acoustic session for MTV's Unplugged Series. He sang and played four songs: "Beth", "2,000 Man", "Nothin' to Lose", and "Rock and Roll All Nite".
This was the "icing on the cake" because, a year later, Criss, Frehley, Stanley, and Simmons donned the war paint (which Kiss hadn't worn since 1983) and put their larger than life boots back on for a Reunion Tour, which was the biggest tour in the world at the time. Criss was ecstatic to play with Kiss again. Criss and the others released 'Psycho Circus' in 1998. Like in the past, Criss and Frehley were credited on the album, but session drummers were used for most of the album. Criss sang the Beth-esque track "I Finally Found my Way", written by Paul Stanley.
Two years later, in 2000-2001, Kiss announced their Farewell Tour, which also became a huge series of events. About 3/4 into the tour, Criss was becoming unhappy with his salary and he was also tired of playing two hour shows every night. On the night Kiss played Trenton, New Jersey, Criss had a "tear" pasted on his face. Many people say this was a sign that Criss wasn't coming back because for the next show, Kiss had to bring back Eric Singer, who put on the 'Cat Man' make-up and finished the tour (since Simmons and Stanley owned the make-up designs, Criss couldn't stop them).
Kiss was silent in 2002, but then, in 2003, Kiss planned a once in a life-time concert event with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Criss was back behind the skins (some say they needed him to sing "Black Diamond" and "Beth", which were symphony worthy). Criss then stayed with Kiss to play on the World Dominination Tour along side Aerosmith (since the set was 80 minutes, Criss had an easier time playing). After the tour, Criss called it quits again, but on far better terms than in the old days.
On April 11, 2014, Kiss was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Earning an enthusiastic audience response when they appeared, the original band members reunited once again. Though the rockers did not perform, they all showed up in person to accept their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 29th annual induction ceremony and thanked their fans.
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Peter Criss Lyrics
Bad Attitude It's three o'clock in the morning I'm getting ready for bed…
Bad Boys Criss-Roberge I met a lady dressed in black She sure loo…
Bad People Burn in Hell Some people are no damn good Spend your money like I…
Beth Beth, I hear you callin' But I can't come home right…
Blue Moon Over Brooklyn It was a winters day When I heard the phone ring It…
By Myself By myself Starting over again By Myself Looks like this time…
Destiny Midnight-Monet-Schoen You knew I was a singer I child of…
Doesn't Get Better Than This Old time movies Up 'til 3 Another night Just you and me…
Don Baby, don't you let me down (don't you let me…
Down With the Sun Hey Baby, how've you been I hear you're running around again…
Easy Thing Love, love is so hard Love is so hard to find When…
Feel Like Heaven Simmons Thought came to mind Looking through today Thou…
Feel Like Letting Go Criss-Penridge I feel like letting go But my heart keeps…
First Day In The Rain Stevens Thought came to mind Looking through today Thou…
Good Times I'm coming home to an empty house Where my wife and…
Hard Luck Woman If never I met you I'd never have seen you cry If…
Heart Behind These Hands McPherson-Schoenfeld Streetsinger: Ooohhh....yea...yea..…
Hooked On Rock 'N' Roll The boy could play before he learned to grow Worked in…
Hooked On Rock 'N' Roll The boy could play before he learned to grow Worked in…
Hooked On Rock'n'Roll The boy could play before he learned to grow Worked in…
I Can Night falls on the city Finds me all alone Makes me wonder…
I Can't Stop The Rain Night falls on the city Finds me all alone Makes me wonder S…
I Found Love You keep me safe and warm When I hold you at…
I'm Gonna Love You Don't let me find you Sleeping with another man Say you're g…
In Trouble Again Babe I'm in trouble In trouble again Ride on the wrong side …
Jealous Guy I was dreaming of the past, And my heart was beating…
Kiss The Girl Goodbye Kiss the girl goodbye It's time for me to fly Wipe the…
Last Night How do I tell you, it?s the end Where do…
Let It Go Uh-oh, why you holding back, now? Don't you know it's time…
Let Me Rock You Let me Let me rock you Let me Let me rock you If you're…
Move On Over Criss-Poncia I ain't gonna be no whipping boy for you no…
My Life Baby Look in to my eyes Baby I'm talkin' from my heart I've …
Out Of Control There's all kind of ladies That'll make you feel good Now so…
Rock Me Baby Baby, who you been lovin' since your man's gone Baby, who…
Send In The Clowns Isn't it rich? Aren't we a pair? Me here at last…
Show Me Planes, trains and limousines So what, what does it mean We'…
Some Kinda Hurricane She walked through the door Can't believe what I saw All o…
Space Ace [Verse] Have you ever been locked in a spaceship? Lost in th…
Strike (Peter Criss, Mark Montague) [Verse] Poison ivy ain't …
Tears You left me here alone I guess I'll never see the…
That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes I didn't want you, did not need you Sure wouldn't mean…
There's Nothing Better Criss-Penridge There's nothing better than you There's n…
Tossin' And Turnin' I couldn't sleep at all last night Just a-thinkin' 'bout you…
What A Difference A Day Makes What a difference a day makes Twenty four little hours Broug…
Where Will They Run [Verse] The fever's running wild It's 102 in the shade Peopl…
Words Criss-Penridge There's all kind of ladies That'll make y…
You Better Run Whatcha tryin' to do to my heart Whatcha tryin' to do…
You Matter To Me Look at the sky it's crying Endless tears Feels like my whol…