Peter Criss
George Peter John Criscuola, also known as Peter Criss and by his stage name The Catman, (born December 20, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American drummer. Criss is known for being the drummer in the original lineup of New York Glam metal band Kiss (band) during the 1970s before being replaced by Eric Carr in 1981.
Peter Criss | |
|---|---|
 Peter Criss, 1995 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Peter John Criscuola |
| Born | December 20, 1945 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1970-present |
Biography
changeCriss was born George Peter John Criscuola. He is of Italian descent. His parents were Joseph and Loretta Criscuolo. Criss was a student of art and jazz. He got his start in music in the pop rock group Chelsea. They recorded an album in 1970.
Kiss
changeIn 1972 Peter began his career in the band Kiss. The band included Paul Stanley on guitar and Gene Simmons on bass, and Ace Frehley as a first guitar. With the painted faces, in 1973 released their first album Kiss. The album was very successful. Peter Criss proved to be a good singer. He wrote and sang the ballad "Beth". On the band's third album, Dressed to Kill (1975), Criss sang the song "Getaway", written by Ace Frehley. In 1980 Peter Criss released his last album as the drummer of Kiss Unmasked. Criss was fired from Kiss on May 18, 1980. This hit the band hard and again in the following years with the loss of original lead guitarist Ace Frehley. In 1981 he was replaced by drummer Eric Carr.
In 1996, Criss returned to the band to record some acoustic tracks on the album Unplugged and for their highly sucessful 1996-7 Alive/Worldwide Reunion Tour, which grossed $43.7 million Peter Criss left the band again in 2004. He was then replaced later by Eric Singer.
References
change- Dicaire, David (2003). Jazz Musicians of the Early Years, to 1945. McFarland. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-7864-8556-7.