Peter Divers

26.03.2022 09:02:39



Melek Nur Pervan . March 14, 2022

KISS is one of those bands that experienced a series of lineup changes, which is one of the most common things once working with four members. Though they have had numerous members come and go, two of the most notable changes within the band must be lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss.

Apart from the fact that these two musicians had quite the feud with their former bandmates, they were once solid KISS members with millions of fans following them. Nonetheless, there came the point when one of them, Peter Criss, needed a replacement after their departure. Though the band auditioned many musicians, they agreed on a drummer to be the official member of the band, but only for twenty-four hours.


Anton Fig was first introduced to the KISS world when he became the drummer on Ace Frehley’s 1978 eponymous solo album and subsequently became a member of the then-former lead guitarist’s solo project entitled ‘Frehley’s Comet’ from 1984 to 1987. When the band needed a drummer in the absence of Peter Criss, their now member Frehley offered them to work with Fig.

As a result, Anton Fig first appeared on a KISS album on their seventh studio album entitled ‘Dynasty,’ released on May 23, 1979. The drummer played on every song on that album except ‘Dirty Livin’,’ but his tenure with the band wasn’t just about that record as he also recorded another album named ‘Unmasked,’ released on May 20, 1980. KISS management didn’t give credit to Fig for his work within the band until years later to cover up any personnel problems within the band.


After a successful tenure with the band, Anton Fig was offered to officially replace Peter Criss, who had a drug problem and allegedly deteriorated his skills. In a conversation with Loudwire, Ace Frehley looked back on when the band was looking for a drummer after Criss’ departure. After auditioning many drummers to fill the spot, he offered the band to work with Fig as he had a stint with him before that.

Both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons agreed to work with Fig, and Frehley called the drummer to inform him that he’s officially a KISS member. After detailing Fig’s excitement over this news which caused him not to sleep all night, Frehley said that his bandmates informed him after a day that the drummer may not be the best choice after all. Therefore, Frehley had to give him a call to tell him that he wasn’t a KISS member anymore.

Talking about Fig’s stint with KISS, Frehley said:

“Talking about when Peter left the group, we were looking for a new drummer. Here’s a fact, and you can insert it into the next Wikipedia at the time you go in and add it that Anton Fig was a member of KISS for one day, the drummer from the David Letterman Show. This is how it transpired. We were looking to audition drummers, we auditioned a dozen of drummers, and Eric Paul was one of them.

Prior to that happening, I called up Paul and Gene because I’ve been working with Anton Fig on my solo record, and I said, ‘Why don’t we get Anton Fig to play the drums?’ They both agreed. So I called up Anton and said, ‘You’re in the band.’ He was thrilled; he couldn’t sleep all night. The next day, Paul and Gene call me and say, ‘You know what, we don’t think Anton’s a good choice.’ So, I had to do the dirty work, call back Anton and tell him, ‘Sorry Anton, you’re not in the band.’ For 24 hours, Anton was in KISS.“

26.03.2022 09:20:42



Bihter Sevinc . March 19, 2022


Peter Criss rose to prominence as the original drummer and vocalist of KISS during the 1970s. As you know, the band members are famous for their face paint and flamboyant stage outfits. Therefore, Criss created the favored character, the Catman, for his stage persona in the band. He appeared on eight KISS albums during his stint with the band and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to signify his successful tenure.

Although he is mainly known for his drumming skills, Peter Criss also contributed to several songs like ‘Black Diamond’ and ‘Hard Luck Woman’ as the lead singer. The most popular song he appeared on vocals is ‘Beth,’ which he also co-wrote. The song became almost synonymous with him over the years, and his terrific performance still holds a special place in many fans’ hearts.

What Makes ‘Beth’ A Signature Song Of Peter Criss?

The song’s original name was ‘Beck,’ and it was composed by Peter Criss and his friend Stan Penridge, during their time in Chelsea, which was Criss’ pre-KISS band. They wrote it as a mocking song about the wife of one of their bandmates who constantly called and interrupted the band’s rehearsals. However, they never released it with Chelsea, and Criss recalled that song during his time in KISS. The rocker showed it to the producer, Bob Ezrin, to get his opinion on whether they could use it maybe in one of the band’s albums.

Ezrin thought it could be better if they changed the title to ‘Beth’ to avoid confusion with Jeff Beck. They also made some changes to the lyrics and the song’s melody. When the piece was finally completed, Peter Criss recorded the vocals at the studio, and the track was also backed up by the contribution of the New York Philharmonic orchestra. The song was a departure from the band’s usual sound, and it was also the only one that didn’t have any instrumentals from any band member.

‘Beth’ was released as a part of the band’s fourth studio album, ‘Destroyer,’ in 1976. When the track was sent out to the radio stations, it immediately became one of the most requested songs by the listeners. The song’s increasing popularity also escalated the sales of the album. Thus, ‘Destroyer’ became the band’s first album to be certified platinum due to the colossal impact of ‘Beth.’

The KISS members didn’t expect the track to become a hit, but it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, the best in the band’s career. Peter Criss mostly performed the KISS’ biggest career hit alone on stage, and it is generally regarded as his most outstanding signature song. He delivered an incredible performance during the recording sessions and the following live performances, which made his voice immortal for the history of rock.

27.03.2022 11:42:05



33 vues26 mars 2022

11.04.2022 08:27:17



1 022 vues . 6 avr. 2022

12.04.2022 09:39:46



1 074 vues . 11 avr. 2022

Gene Simmons Takes Shots At Ace Frehley And Peter Criss In 2022

14.04.2022 10:08:47



20 vues . 14 avr. 2022

16.04.2022 09:30:41



Melisa Iscan . April 9, 2022 . 3 mins read


During his recent interview with The Real Music Observer, journey drummer Deen Castronovo named his biggest influences, especially at the beginning of his career. One of them was former KISS drummer Peter Criss, and the musician shared his ideas about Criss and the other muses.

Castronovo’s musical career as a drummer has always been full of notable, successful, and prolific projects with Journey, Generation Radio, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers, and GZR. His unique way of playing drums always drew significant attention no matter which musician he was playing. Of course, like most of his peers and predecessors, many legendary drummers inspired him while choosing his career and style.

Thanks to his drum teacher, the Journey icon’s long-time fans know that Castronovo has been a KISS fanboy since he watched their performance when he was eleven. Therefore it’s not surprising that he cited the band’s original drummer, Criss, as one of his inspirations. He reflected his respect and admiration for the late Rush drummer Neil Peart by adding that he wished to be a progressive musician like him.

In addition, he mentioned Capture and The Smiths’ music’ effect on him along with Frank Zappa’s Terry Bozzio, and Castronovo highlighted that he was into metal music before he focused on progressive rock. The drummer didn’t forget to credit Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, whose performances in ‘Ride the Lightning and ‘Kill ‘Em All’ were ‘unbelievable,’ and Slayer and Testament’s Dave Lombardo.

In Castronovo’s words, he said:

“There four that are influential, Peter Criss who got me wanted to be a drummer, the makeup and other stuff. So I wanted to be a drummer, and I could play his parts as a young beginning drummer. That’s the best stuff to learn; he’s a great player. Then, I saw Rush, Rest in Peace, Peart. I became a prog drummer and wanted to be a progressive drummer like Neil Peart. Then, I listened to Capture because I knew all the Journey stuff before that but never heard The Smiths open up and tear it up.

The drum solo on there, I was like, ‘Who’s that guy.’ Nagging stuff from him, and then Terry Bozzio, of course. There were a lot of metal drummers I was really into. I grew up playing thrash and heavy stuff, so Dave Lombardo from Slayer, Lars Ulrich back when ‘Ride the Lightning and ‘Kill ‘Em All’ came out. His drumming on that is phenomenal. Those are the guys you wanted to be like and that kind of direction where I went to the first, got three or four years before all the big stuff happened.”

01.05.2022 11:57:19
57 vues . 1 mai 2022

13.05.2022 09:10:02
1 261 vues . 9 mai 2022

14.05.2022 12:36:15
598 vues . 13 mai 2022

31.05.2022 10:49:27
426 vues . 31 mai 2022

05.06.2022 10:51:27
24 vues . 5 juin 2022
Frame of Mind is an American movie about the John F. Kennedy assassination. The film stars Carl T. Evans – who also directed the film – along with Chris Noth, Eric Michael Espiritu, and Tony Lo Bianco. Peter Criss, original drummer for the rock band Kiss, also appears in the movie. The film tells the story of New Jersey Detective David Secca, who discovers what appears to be new evidence relating to President Kennedy's assassination. The premises for the fictional account (there is no online record of any real "Vincent Garbone" the alleged Mafia hitman in the story) are three frames of a homemade movie clip, a rifle that matches the one allegedly used by Lee Harvey.

30.07.2022 21:24:01
993 vues . 28 juil. 2022

02.08.2022 14:35:22
5 657 vues . 24 juil. 2022
The Train Kept A Rollin (Original Kiss Drummer Peter Criss Side Stage Watching), Joe Perry Project (with Gary Cherone of Extreme on lead vocals), Soundwaves Theater, Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey; July 23rd, 2022; Summer North American Tour; Final song of the night.
Peter Criss side stage sighting at 5:22.

25.08.2022 09:09:33
42 vues . 24 août 2022
Home video footage of Detroit KISS fan convention from July 17, 1994. Shows Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons enter convention with police to get back their stolen costumes. Also includes Peter Criss interview, and local news reports about the incident. I received this in a trade from another KISS collector.

28.08.2022 13:55:32

31.08.2022 16:03:03
3 vues . 30 août 2022
Interview du 21 mai 2004.

10.09.2022 10:30:22
2 vues . 10 sept. 2022

22.09.2022 08:04:17
121 vues . 19 sept. 2022
Hard Copy interview with imposter of former KISS member Peter Criss, as seen in Star magazine from 1991. I received this in a trade with another KISS collector.

09.10.2022 10:21:41
1 358 vues . 7 oct. 2022
Check out 5 songs where Peter Criss from KISS collaborated with other bands, whether producing, composing or playing. Bonus: Peter Criss playing a classic live with Bruce Kulick in the Creatures Fest.
Tracklist:
- U Gotta Know - One Of The Kind
- Surrender In The Name Of Love - 24K
- I'm In A Band - Skoff
- Trouble Walkin' - Ace Frehley
- Long River - Chelsea

Bonus:
- Hooked On Rock 'N' Roll (live) - The Bruce Kulick Band

06.11.2022 22:25:45
Bihter Sevinc . November 6, 2022 . 3 mins read

As exciting as it seems, being a member of a well-recognized band and touring the world as a musician is also an exhausting experience. Due to the rise of digital streaming platforms, which have significantly impacted musicians’ income, touring is a large part of an artist’s life since it remains their primary source of revenue.

Doing big tours is both mentally and physically draining as it demands so much from musicians. Artists spend months away from home and loved ones and experience a mixture of loneliness and immense appreciation from their fans. They find themselves stuck inside a bus or plane for extended amounts of time, causing them distress.

Staying healthy on tours is also quite challenging due to the lack of sleep and nutritious meals, late nights, and the crazy schedule. So, musicians hardly have time to rest and relax while on tours. As a worldwide-known band, KISS has also toured relentlessly and closely witnessed its difficulties. Being on the road for such a long time was once so challenging for the band’s drummer Peter Criss that it made him cry like a baby due to the physical pain he suffered at the time.


In his 2012 autobiography ‘Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss,’ Peter Criss revealed exclusive details from his days with the band, including his touring memories. “But touring wasn’t just fun and games,” said the drummer, referring to the hardships of hitting the road. “Most of the time, touring was monotonous and lonely. You spent most of your time just waiting for the hour and a half you’d be onstage. And after touring nonstop for so many years, my body was beginning to break down.”

His body was once in such a poor condition that he had difficulty lifting his arms. So, Criss had to see a doctor who had given him cortisone injections. They would take his pain, albeit temporarily. Thus, he would still be in excruciating pain after the effect of the needles wore off. However, one night during a KISS tour, it got to the point where he felt so much pain that he had to make a request to Paul Stanley.

Criss recalled that moment by saying, “One night, the pain got so bad that when we were driving back from a gig, I couldn’t even lift my arms. I was sitting in the back of the limo with Paul, and I turned to him, [and said] ‘Paul, if you ever did any decent thing in your life, please cancel this tour for me.’”

He pleaded to his bandmate, saying, “‘I can’t play anymore, I can’t even lift my arms, I’m in excruciating pain. I know I cry wolf, but I’m not f*cking around this time.’ Then I laid my head on his shoulder, and I started crying like a baby.” The drummer was in so much pain that he couldn’t stop the tears streaming down his face.

As expected, Paul Stanley didn’t remain insensitive to his bandmate’s pain and request. After they returned to the hotel, the singer told Gene Simmons that it was impossible for them to continue like that, so they had to cancel the remaining dates. According to Criss, it was one of the rare times Paul and Gene had done the right thing, leading him to be grateful to his former bandmates.

06.11.2022 22:31:16
Aussi excitant que cela puisse paraître, être membre d'un groupe reconnu et faire le tour du monde en tant que musicien est aussi une expérience épuisante. En raison de l'essor des plateformes de streaming numérique, qui ont considérablement impacté les revenus des musiciens, les tournées constituent une grande partie de la vie d'un artiste puisqu'elles restent leur principale source de revenus.

Faire de grandes tournées est à la fois mentalement et physiquement épuisant car cela demande beaucoup aux musiciens. Les artistes passent des mois loin de chez eux et de leurs proches et vivent un mélange de solitude et d'immense appréciation de la part de leurs fans. Ils se retrouvent coincés à l'intérieur d'un bus ou d'un avion pendant de longues périodes, ce qui leur cause de la détresse.

Rester en bonne santé pendant les visites est également assez difficile en raison du manque de sommeil et de repas nutritifs, des nuits tardives et de l'horaire fou. Ainsi, les musiciens ont à peine le temps de se reposer et de se détendre pendant les tournées. En tant que groupe mondialement connu, KISS a également tourné sans relâche et a été témoin de près de ses difficultés. Être sur la route pendant si longtemps était autrefois si difficile pour le batteur du groupe, Peter Criss, que cela le faisait pleurer comme un bébé à cause de la douleur physique qu'il souffrait à l'époque.

Dans son autobiographie de 2012 "Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss", Peter Criss a révélé des détails exclusifs de ses jours avec le groupe, y compris ses souvenirs de tournée. "Mais les tournées n'étaient pas que du plaisir et des jeux", a déclaré le batteur, faisant référence aux difficultés de prendre la route. « La plupart du temps, les tournées étaient monotones et solitaires. Vous avez passé la plupart de votre temps à attendre l'heure et demie où vous seriez sur scène. Et après avoir tourné sans arrêt pendant tant d'années, mon corps commençait à se décomposer.

Son corps était autrefois dans un si mauvais état qu'il avait du mal à lever les bras. Ainsi, Criss a dû voir un médecin qui lui avait fait des injections de cortisone. Ils prendraient sa douleur, bien que temporairement. Ainsi, il serait toujours dans une douleur atroce après que l'effet des aiguilles se soit dissipé. Cependant, une nuit lors d'une tournée KISS, il en est arrivé au point où il a ressenti tellement de douleur qu'il a dû faire une demande à Paul Stanley.

Criss a rappelé ce moment en disant: «Une nuit, la douleur est devenue si intense que lorsque nous revenions d'un concert, je ne pouvais même pas lever les bras. J'étais assis à l'arrière de la limousine avec Paul, et je me suis tourné vers lui, [et j'ai dit] "Paul, si jamais tu as fait quelque chose de décent dans ta vie, s'il te plaît, annule cette tournée pour moi."

Il a supplié son compagnon de groupe en disant: «Je ne peux plus jouer, je ne peux même pas lever les bras, je souffre atrocement. Je sais que je crie au loup, mais je ne baise pas cette fois-ci.’ Puis j’ai posé ma tête sur son épaule et j’ai commencé à pleurer comme un bébé. Le batteur souffrait tellement qu'il ne pouvait pas empêcher les larmes de couler sur son visage.

Comme prévu, Paul Stanley n'est pas resté insensible à la douleur et à la demande de son compagnon de groupe. Après leur retour à l'hôtel, le chanteur a dit à Gene Simmons qu'il leur était impossible de continuer comme ça, ils ont donc dû annuler les dates restantes. Selon Criss, c'était l'une des rares fois où Paul et Gene avaient fait ce qu'il fallait, ce qui l'a amené à être reconnaissant envers ses anciens camarades de groupe.

13.11.2022 17:09:23
40 vues  13 nov. 2022
April 4, 1997
Reunion Tour
Details:
Chapel Hill, NC
Dean Smith Center
Promoter: C&C Concerts
Other act(s): Powerman 5000
Reported audience: 10,061 / 12,422 (80.99%, 14,611 capacity)

15.12.2022 12:36:21
131 vues . 9 déc. 2022
Peter Criss Q&A and autograph session from KISS convention in King Of Prussia, PA on January 4, 2003.

27.12.2022 19:35:24
5 vues . 20 déc. 2022
The unofficial story behind the creating of "Beth" by KISS drummer Peter Criss.

03.01.2023 10:01:58
305 vues . Sortie le 26 déc. 2022