Peter George John Crisscoula, also known as Peter Criss, was a renowned drummer and a founding member of the iconic hard rock band KISS. Born on December 20th, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, Criss was influenced by the 1940s big band sound and was particularly drawn to Gene Krupa's unique drumming style.
Criss's journey with KISS began in early 1973, when he placed an ad in the Village Voice stating "Drummer willing to do anything to make it." The ad caught the attention of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, and Criss successfully auditioned for the position. Although the band experienced moderate success with their first three albums, their double live album Kiss Alive, released in 1974, marked the beginning of their rise to stardom.
Throughout the 1970s, KISS became the most successful US group, with platinum-selling albums and sold-out stadium tours. However, internal conflicts began to arise, and Criss was eventually fired in 1980. He went on to release two solo albums, Out of Control and Let Me Rock You, but both were commercial failures.
Criss's personal life was also marred by controversy. In 1991, a tabloid scandal claimed that he was penniless and living under a pier in Santa Monica. The drama unfolded on the Phil Donahue Show, with Criss, the impostor, and other concerned parties involved in a heated verbal match.
Despite the tumultuous years that followed, Criss and the other original members of KISS eventually reunited for an MTV Unplugged Special in 1995, which led to a full-blown reunion tour. However, Criss's health issues and his strained relationship with Simmons and Stanley eventually led to his departure from the band in 2001. He was replaced by Eric Singer, and Criss officially announced his retirement from KISS in April 2004.
